Regions: north-east

A marginal water plant for a tub, aromatic-rooted and steady for years.

A low monsoon weed of wet ground, gathered for hair oil for as long as anyone remembers.

Plant a knob of market haldi in June; harvest your own in February.

The wild tulsi — taller, camphor-scented and perennial where winters are mild.

The pennywort of damp corners; spreads by runners and asks for shade and moisture.

A small shady-forest shrub, historically important and now scarce in the wild.

A cement tub of still water on a terrace becomes a dragonfly and frog habitat in one season.

A fast native shade tree with scented ball flowers, and a favourite of city birds.

The household holy basil — thrives in a pot, keeps pests down and brings pollinators to a balcony.

Needs space, sun and a lot of feeding, and gives back a bunch plus leaves for cooking.