You can buy permanent aluminum tags with wires for about 15 cents each, or make them from strips of aluminum cans, cut with scissors.

Commercial tags.

Al

I use the same labels, but write on them with a typical #2 graphite pencil.

I have struggled with the same problem. Pencil stays the longest but it is not as visible. Sharpie markers (including Extreme and Pro versions) fade in Sun. I was told artists pencils are better but have not tried. One of my friends said China pencils (grease pencils) work better. I am going to get some to try. I got aluminum labels too and they are the best. You make a permanent indentation using a ball point like embossing. But they are not as readable unless you look closely. You can also fill the indentation with a marker to make it more visible but you will have to do it every season. At least the indentation will never go away.

Have you considered rethinking the need for labels at all? Can you explain what's in these containers and how you use them? Are you raising seedlings or are they for decorative displays? If the former how is it they're there for months and if the latter do you really need markers? They're on your balcony and I wouldn't want to look out and see plastic amongst my plants.

I don't label anything ornamental because I don't like seeing the tags. For seedlings I just put the name. Any other information can be looked up. I use pencil on plastic labels. For things I grow regularly I don't label seedlings either. You learn to recognise them. I put the sowing date in my diary. But even that I don't often bother with.

Floral: You are way too good at distinguishing and identifying plants. I know most of my plants well but still need assistance.

Op may have her reasons. Here are mine. Keep in mind I do a lot of bonsai and treat most of my plants as bonsai even if they will never be one. I probably have over 300 potted plants.

The color of the tag tells me which year it was repotted so that when spring rolls in I do not have to read the tags to find out if the plant is a candidate for repotting. If it does not need a repot I may consider heavily pruning.

I have deciduous plants like elms, maples of different varieties. When they lose their leaves I cannot tell which is what - especially if I am going to take cuttings. I keep records on which ones took, how long did it take, etc.

History keeping: For multiple plants of the same variety the histories are different. How old it is, where it was acquired, etc.

Distinguishing varieties: I get confused with similar looking plants such as azaleas, ficus, bougainvillea, etc. Especially, if they do not have flowers or have been defoliated. Even evergreens like junipers, pines, hinoki cypress I have trouble with distinguishing the varieties.

When I am on vacation I stick color coded chopsticks into some of my pots to indicate to my neighbors or friends whether it should watered frequently or not.

If I had a collection like that I'd certainly be labelling. I was just curious that labels were used in pots on a balcony where they are in full view and there surely can't be that many. I was wondering what these 'containers' were? Pots? Flats? And what they contain.

I have a big collection of containerized plants as well....but not 300 :-) And I don't bother to label anything either. I know and remember 95% of what is growing in which pot and the rest......who cares? The biggest unknowns are my hostas - all grown in containers to avoid both the deer and slugs and snails. I remember a few cultivar names but it is just not that important to me to identify them all. I am only growing them for my personal enjoyment and that has nothing at all to do with their names :-)

I label many of my plants as I grow orchids and carnivorous plants among other genera .... some of which look very similar out of bloom. Because I sometimes sell or trade my plants, it matters a great deal to me to know what is what. Some of these summer outdoors if I have room on the balcony.

I generally use pencil on plastic tags. Lasts better than marker. Never tried making aluminum tags ... really don't want to windup cutting myself on the sharp edges.

Does anyone else notice some posts appear long after they have been posted. Eg Al's reply is the first one and it just showed up for me. Has happened to me several times in the past.

Paul Al tags are cheap. In Summer I bought 300 for $30 on ebay. I did not get any time to use them properly. So in Fall/winter I intend to tag a bunch of the important ones.

Yes, it's happened several times to me over the last month or so.

Al

Thanks all. Sounds like no one solution is perfect. Maybe I'll just stick with my current plan to immerse the plastic stakes deeper into the soil, so that the sun/rain doesn't further help create fading of the writing on the stake...