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Explore Plants

Indian plants documented for the way people actually garden — filter by what you want the plant to do, the space you have, the month you can sow and the region you are in. The result count below is live.

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Use the filters on the plant archive to narrow by goal, growing space and season. Every record carries a Hindi name, a botanical name, a care note and the months in which to sow.

Resurrection Fern (संजीवनी), Selaginella bryopterisWater Lettuceजल सलादPistia stratiotesA floating rosette that shades a tub and starves the algae — but a weed if it escapes.Foxtail Orchid (द्रौपदी माला), Rhynchostylis retusaChinese Hibiscusगुड़हलHibiscus rosa-sinensisFlowers nearly all year in a warm city, and sunbirds find it within a week.Resurrection Fern (संजीवनी), Selaginella bryopterisIndian Water FernअजोलाAzolla pinnataA floating fern that fixes nitrogen — fertiliser and fodder that grows itself.Foxtail Orchid (द्रौपदी माला), Rhynchostylis retusaHennaमेहंदीLawsonia inermisThe mehndi hedge of the dry west — scented flowers and dye leaves.Foxtail Orchid (द्रौपदी माला), Rhynchostylis retusaTecomaतेकोमाTecoma stansYellow bells almost all year on a shrub that survives a forgotten terrace.Foxtail Orchid (द्रौपदी माला), Rhynchostylis retusaWater LilyकुमुदिनीNymphaea nouchaliA cement tub of still water becomes a dragonfly habitat in one season.Foxtail Orchid (द्रौपदी माला), Rhynchostylis retusaLotusकमलNelumbo nuciferaThe national flower — a big tub, full sun and patience is all it takes.Foxtail Orchid (द्रौपदी माला), Rhynchostylis retusaMilkweedआकCalotropis giganteaHost plant for tiger butterflies — plant one and the caterpillars arrive.Foxtail Orchid (द्रौपदी माला), Rhynchostylis retusaLantana NativeराईमुनियाLantana camaraA relentless nectar plant — and an invasive that must be kept in a pot.Foxtail Orchid (द्रौपदी माला), Rhynchostylis retusaZinniaजिन्नियाZinnia elegansThe most reliable cut flower for an Indian summer terrace.Foxtail Orchid (द्रौपदी माला), Rhynchostylis retusaSunflowerसूरजमुखीHelianthus annuusA fortnight of spectacle and then a head of seed the birds will take.Foxtail Orchid (द्रौपदी माला), Rhynchostylis retusaVincaसदाबहारCatharanthus roseusFlowers every day of the year and asks for nothing. Indigenous to the deccan.Foxtail Orchid (द्रौपदी माला), Rhynchostylis retusaIxoraरुग्मिनीIxora coccineaCompact evergreen with flower heads butterflies work all morning.Foxtail Orchid (द्रौपदी माला), Rhynchostylis retusaMarvel of Peruगुल-ए-बासMirabilis jalapaOpens at four in the afternoon and self-sows itself around the garden.Foxtail Orchid (द्रौपदी माला), Rhynchostylis retusaHibiscusगुड़हलHibiscus rosa-sinensisFlowers nearly all year in a warm city, and sunbirds find it within a week.Roselle Leaf (मेस्ता), Hibiscus sabdariffa var.SesameतिलSesamum indicumUpright, bell-flowered and ancient; the oilseed of the dry season.

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Answer three questions on the home page — your region, your space and your goal — and we will name two plants to sow this month.

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How the library is organised

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By regionEach entry notes where the plant grows well across India, from the Gangetic plain to coastal soils.
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By seasonSowing windows for every month, so you never plant a winter green in May.
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By spaceWindowsill, balcony, terrace or ground — filtered so you only see what will survive with you.
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Checked by a botanistNames and facts are reviewed before publication; traditional uses are labelled as traditional.