Seasons: Monsoon

An unfussy evergreen shrub with white throated flowers that carpenter bees work.

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

A woody climber of the dry deccan, slow but very long-lived on a trellis.

A dry-country shrub with yellow flowers, tough enough for a Rajasthan roof.

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

Grows from a cutting in a glass of water. Keep it in its own pot — it will take over any other.

Thick scented leaves on a succulent stem; one plant fills a windowsill pot for years.

A clump of scented grass that mosquitoes avoid and tea drinkers cannot do without.

Drought-tolerant root herb for a hot sunny corner; needs almost nothing once established.

A climbing vine of the monsoon, long used in home remedies and generous with shade.