Plant library
Explore Plants
Filter by what you want to grow, the space you have and the season you are in.
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Resurrection FernसंजीवनीSelaginella bryopterisThe sanjeevani of the rocks — curls up bone dry, then greens again in an hour of rain.Water Lettuceजल सलादPistia stratiotesA floating rosette that shades a tub and starves the algae — but a weed if it escapes.
Hameliaरक्त पुष्पHamelia patensOrange tubular flowers, continuously, and the sunbirds that follow them.Chinese Hibiscusगुड़हलHibiscus rosa-sinensisFlowers nearly all year in a warm city, and sunbirds find it within a week.LantanaपंचफूलीLantana camaraInvasive across Indian forests — grow the sterile garden cultivars only, never the wild kind.ClitoriaअपराजिताClitoria ternateaBlue butterfly pea — a light climber that fixes nitrogen and makes blue tea.Lantana NativeराईमुनियाLantana camaraA relentless nectar plant — and an invasive that must be kept in a pot.PentasपेंटासPentas lanceolataFlat clusters of small stars that butterflies can actually land on.Crepe JasmineचांदनीTabernaemontana divaricataNeat glossy shrub with pinwheel white flowers; the easiest good hedge there is.Marvel of Peruगुल-ए-बासMirabilis jalapaOpens at four in the afternoon and self-sows itself around the garden.Zinniaजिन्नियाZinnia elegansThe most reliable cut flower for an Indian summer terrace.VincaसदाबहारCatharanthus roseusFlowers every day of the year and asks for nothing. Indigenous to the deccan.Hibiscusगुड़हलHibiscus rosa-sinensisFlowers nearly all year in a warm city, and sunbirds find it within a week.
MarigoldगेंदाTagetes erectaCompanion-planting workhorse: keeps nematodes down and feeds bees all season.
TulsiतुलसीOcimum tenuiflorumThe household holy basil — thrives in a pot, keeps pests down and brings pollinators to a balcony.
Punarnavaपुनर्नवाBoerhavia diffusaA hardy monsoon spreader with long traditional use, easy to grow and valuable for small insects.Not sure where to start?
Answer three questions on the home page — your region, your space and your goal — and we will name two plants to sow this month.
How the library is organised
By regionEach entry notes where the plant grows well across India, from the Gangetic plain to coastal soils.
By seasonSowing windows for every month, so you never plant a winter green in May.
By spaceWindowsill, balcony, terrace or ground — filtered so you only see what will survive with you.
Checked by a botanistNames and facts are reviewed before publication; traditional uses are labelled as traditional.