Plant library
What can I grow now?
13 plants can be sown in April in Central India. Narrow it further by space, goal or region — or step through the months below.
A short sharp monsoon on black cotton soil, then a dry winter. Water-holding soil, water-scarce year.
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AmaranthचौलाईAmaranthus tricolorThe monsoon green that grows itself — heat-proof, rain-proof, ready in a month.
Cockscombलाल मुर्गाCelosia argenteaVelvet crested heads that hold colour for weeks, in sun or half shade.Crown Flowerसफेद आकCalotropis proceraThe desert milkweed, smaller than gigantea and even tougher.
DrumstickसहजनMoringa oleiferaThe fastest useful tree there is — 3 m in a year, edible leaves and pods.
Elephant Foot YamजिमीकंदAmorphophallus paeoniifoliusOne corm fills a large pot and returns a much bigger one in a year.Green GramमूंगVigna radiataSixty days from sowing to dal, and sproutable on a kitchen shelf.Guggulगुग्गुलCommiphora wightiiA thorny desert shrub whose resin has been traded for millennia; now endangered.Indian AloeघृतकुमारीAloe veraNear-indestructible succulent for a bright sill; water only when the soil is dry through.LotusकमलNelumbo nuciferaThe national flower — a big tub, full sun and patience is all it takes.Marvel of Peruगुल-ए-बासMirabilis jalapaOpens at four in the afternoon and self-sows itself around the garden.MilkweedआकCalotropis giganteaHost plant for tiger butterflies — plant one and the caterpillars arrive.OkraभिंडीAbelmoschus esculentusSummer staple for a sunny terrace; pick every second day or pods turn woody.Portulacaकुल्फा फूलPortulaca grandifloraOpens in full sun on a terrace where nothing else will survive noon.