Goals: Herbs & healing

The pennywort of damp corners; spreads by runners and asks for shade and moisture.

A fine-leaved climber with tuberous roots, happiest scrambling up a partly shaded wall.

A small shady-forest shrub, historically important and now scarce in the wild.

The bitter herb of the monsoon — quick from seed and a reliable pot plant.

Grows from a cutting in a glass of water. Keep it in its own pot — it will take over any other.

Thick scented leaves on a succulent stem; one plant fills a windowsill pot for years.

A clump of scented grass that mosquitoes avoid and tea drinkers cannot do without.

Drought-tolerant root herb for a hot sunny corner; needs almost nothing once established.

The household holy basil — thrives in a pot, keeps pests down and brings pollinators to a balcony.

The dark-leaved tulsi, sharper in scent and a little slower to grow than the green.