5 Garden Plants You Should Grow Right Now And Why

Everywhere we look; there are buildings - buildings with artificial colours on the walls, unnatural light sources, and simulated air. It’s a concrete jungle, especially in the cities, with all things synthetic. Amidst all this, we all need our own little worlds of purity. And is there a better way to do so than starting your own little garden? While it seems like a challenging undertaking, starting a garden of your own is not a difficult job. Just pick the right plants. Here are five plants you should grow right now and why.

Get started with your gardening duties with five plants that every Indian should have at home.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is an easy-to-maintain succulent that you can grow at home easily. You don’t have to work very hard for it. All you have to do is keep it away from harsh sun rays and ensure that the water is drained. Otherwise, it will dry up or shrivel. If you can keep these simple steps in mind, the plant will thrive on its own and add rich greenery to the garden space in your home.

Why grow Aloe Vera:

Aloe Vera is not just a pretty addition to your garden but, also an essential addition to your home as it serves many purposes. While everyone buys Aloe Vera gel from the market, you can simply cut off a leaf and use the white gel inside to enhance the beauty of your skin and hair. In addition, it’s decorative and really easy to maintain. It’s an absolute keeper in your house garden.

Lemon

One of the most common items in every Indian home is a lemon. There’s a wide range of purposes that lemons serve, and it’s a good idea to have a lemon tree at home so that you can pluck off the fruits whenever you want. It’s a good idea to buy a lemon tree from a nursery, instead of growing a new one from the seeds. Otherwise, it will take years before you see fruits.

Why grow lemon:

Whether it’s a refreshing drink at the start of the day or a squirt of lemon juice in the soup, a rub on the scalp to avoid dandruff or a whole one getting strung with green chillies and hung at the doors to ward off negative energy and jealous eyes - lemon is versatile. In addition, the leaves of the tree have a mild but beautiful aroma. Aren’t these enough reasons to grow your own tree?

Basil:

The most common plant in the house of an Indian is the basil. For thousands of years, this tree has held a special position in our culture. It’s considered holy and is worshipped in houses as a form of Goddess Lakshmi. Basil thrives in sunlight and warmth, as long as the soil stays moist. It is quite sensitive to the cold; so you’ll have to be careful about the plant’s overexposure to cold.

Why grow basil:

Yes, basil is important for its cultural and religious significance, but that’s not the only reason why you need basil in your house. Basil leaves are medicinal herbs with exceptionally helpful properties. Its leaves are used to cure indigestion, headache, and the common cold. And, if you’re a believer of the power of gemstones, you can use the stems as a cheaper but potent substitute.

Hibiscus

Hibiscus is a beautiful addition to the garden in your home. Yes, it does require a little work from your side; you will need to ensure that it does not catch pests. But once you do, the hibiscus will bloom in abundance. Make sure to put the plant in a sunny spot, and very soon, flowers will bloom and put a smile on your face. There are many colours, but the red one is most common.

Why grow hibiscus:

If you’re only looking for a decorative plant, then you have a wide range of hibiscus plants to choose from; red, white, orange, pink: just take your pick. They bloom in abundance if you show a little love. Worshippers of Goddess Durga will prefer the red variant because it’s used to worship her. Red hibiscus flowers (and buds) can also be applied on the hair for shine and volume.

Tomato

Now, who wouldn’t want a plant with juicy red fruits hanging from the branches? Yes, tomatoes are a lovely inclusion to the little heavenly stretch of green and colours in your house. To grow tomatoes, make sure to water the plant regularly and fertilise the soil. It takes about six to eight weeks for the tomatoes to bear fruits, and it is a rewarding experience to watch the plant grow.

Why grow tomato:

Indians just love their tomatoes! Whether it gets sliced up in the plate of green salad, chopped up for some salsa with chips, or gets cooked with aromatic spices, tomatoes add a dimension of taste and health to the food. In fact, now that Indians love to cook pasta and pizzas, tomatoes have become even more popular. In addition, you can rub it on the face for bright, blemish-free skin.

So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and start your little garden today! You can do it on your windowsill or in the balcony if you don’t live in a big house with a stretch of land that you can turn into a garden.