Plant library
What can I grow now?
15 plants in the library can be sown in May. Narrow it further by space, goal or region — or step through the months below.
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Assam TeaचायCamellia sinensis var. assamicaThe tea of the Brahmaputra valley — one bush on a balcony is enough for a pot.BalsamगुलमेहंदीImpatiens balsaminaA monsoon annual of verandah pots, with seed pods children cannot leave alone.
Betel LeafपानPiper betleThe paan vine — grown in shaded enclosures across Bengal and the east.Blue Vandaनील ऑर्किडVanda coeruleaThe blue vanda of Meghalaya — tessellated flowers, and protected in the wild.ColocasiaअरबीColocasia esculentaBig-leaved and happy in a wet corner; corms below, edible leaves above.DendrobiumसंचारीDendrobium nobileCane orchid of the eastern hills, flowering along last year’s bare canes.Foxtail Orchidद्रौपदी मालाRhynchostylis retusaThe kopou phul of Assam — hanging foxtail sprays, and the flower of Bihu.GingerअदरकZingiber officinaleThe same trick as turmeric, in slightly more shade and slightly less time.Ginger Lilyकपूर कचरीHedychium spicatumA Himalayan ginger relative with scented white flowers and aromatic rhizomes.
Hooker Chivesमैरोई नकुप्पीAllium hookeriThe thick-rooted chive of Manipur, eaten root and leaf together.Mango Gingerआमा हल्दीCurcuma amadaA curcuma that smells of raw mango — the pickle rhizome of the east.Poi Saagपोई सागBasella albaA thick-leaved climbing spinach that thrives in the worst of the monsoon heat.Roselle Leafमेस्ताHibiscus sabdariffa var.The sour leaf of Assam and Manipur, cooked with fish and pork.TaroअरबीColocasia esculentaBig heart leaves on a wet corner; the corm below and the leaf above both go to the…Turmericहल्दीCurcuma longaPlant a knob of market haldi in June; harvest your own in February.