Plant library
What can I grow now?
26 plants can be sown in May in South India. Narrow it further by space, goal or region — or step through the months below.
Two monsoons and no frost: cool-season crops go in a month later and keep going into February.
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AmaranthचौलाईAmaranthus tricolorThe monsoon green that grows itself — heat-proof, rain-proof, ready in a month.
Brahmiब्राह्मीBacopa monnieriA creeping marsh herb happy in a wide bowl of wet soil — the one plant you cannot…
Champaचम्पाPlumeria rubraGrows from a bare cutting pushed into dry soil; scents a whole terrace.Chow Chowइस्कुसSechium eduleThe squash that covers a whole roof in one season across the eastern hills.Cockscombलाल मुर्गाCelosia argenteaVelvet crested heads that hold colour for weeks, in sun or half shade.CucumberखीराCucumis sativusFast, thirsty and best trained up a net where air can move around it.
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.Foxtail Orchidद्रौपदी मालाRhynchostylis retusaThe kopou phul of Assam — hanging foxtail sprays, and the flower of Bihu.Frangipani WhiteगुलचीनPlumeria albaThe white frangipani of temple gardens, tougher than the pink and just as scented.Green GramमूंगVigna radiataSixty days from sowing to dal, and sproutable on a kitchen shelf.Indian AloeघृतकुमारीAloe veraNear-indestructible succulent for a bright sill; water only when the soil is dry through.Indian Water FernअजोलाAzolla pinnataA floating fern that fixes nitrogen — fertiliser and fodder that grows itself.LemongrassगंधतृणCymbopogon citratusA clump of scented grass that mosquitoes avoid and tea drinkers cannot do without.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.