I have always liked earthen shades! Well, not just because it compliments the hues of nature, but I believe in “Thing of beauty is a joy forever”.
When I started my passion for Gardening, I knew not more than a few plant names - Tulsi, Hibiscus, Rose, Cactus, Money Plant, and a few other random household plants! Amma has always taken care of her garden, and today has one of the most beautiful home gardens that I have seen! I had always dodged watering her plants, not knowing the joy and pleasure that it gives taking care of them!!
They say gardening is therapeutic. But to me, I love spending time with them. Although the knowledge that I have in knowing their scientific names is very minimal, it definitely brings joy and gleam on my face when there is a new leaf opening up to the beautiful ray of sunshine, or a small flower blooming to a wonderful morning or as a matter of fact, to see a small weed complimenting the entire composition of a plant!
Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity of collecting a few beautiful plants. Well, this time I can proudly say I know not just Tulsi or Money plant [Pothos], but few beautiful succulents, herbs, and ferns. I have even tried growing a few vegetables and greens that can be easily grown in pots like tomatoes, Chilli, Palak, mint, Malabar Spinach, etc.
Sharing a few of my garden beauties here. Hope you are as refreshed as I am and enjoy the journey with my green space as much I did with a cup of hot coffee!
Herbs have always been an integral part of me! Thanks to my herb garden, for it's because of them the fresh flavors linger from the kitchen when I bake a Focaccia or make a simple pasta!
Name: Basil
How to use: Simply chop and toss them in a salad. You can also add them to make dips or grind to make a sauce for your pasta!
How to take care: Do not overwater. Water on alternate days, to keep the soil moist. It needs a good amount of sunlight [at-least 6 - 7 hours of sunlight in a day].
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How to use: Simply chop/crush them in salad/soup. Since the rosemary has a very strong flavor, a couple of leaves are more than enough to add flavor to your dish.
How to take care: Do not overwater. Water once in 3 - 4 days, to avoid the roots from rotting. It needs a good amount of sunlight [at-least 6 - 7 hours of sunlight in a day].
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Name: Parsley
How to use: Simply chop and toss them in a salad. You can also add them to make a dip or grind to make a sauce for your pasta!
How to take care: Do not overwater. Water is very essential for Parsley. Keeping the soil moist keeps the plant fresh. Watering every alternate day is the best alternative. It needs a good amount of sunlight [at-least 6 - 7 hours of sunlight in a day].
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How to use: Simply chop and toss them in a salad. You can also add them to make a dip or grind to make a sauce for your pasta!
How to take care: Water is very essential for Celery. Keeping the soil moist helps the plant stay fresh. Spraying water to keep to soil moist yields fresh Celery. It needs a good amount of sunlight [at-least 6 - 7 hours of sunlight in a day].
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Name: Doddpatre/ Ajwain
How to use: Doddpatre leaves have a lot of medicinal values. When heated a little over the flame and eaten with honey, not only helps reduce dry cough, it helps in the soothing irritable throat.
Doddpatre leaves are used for a variety of Indian cuisines. When grounded with coconut, spices, and added to buttermilk gives a flavourful gravy that tastes good with hot rice [ Tambuli ]. Or simply add a couple of leaves to make tasty Chutney.
How to take care: Do not overwater. Water once in 3 - 4 days, to avoid the roots from rotting. It needs a good amount of sunlight [at-least 6 - 7 hours of sunlight in a day].
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Name: Lemongrass
How to use: Simply chop/crush them in the soup. Since Lemongrass has a very strong flavor, a couple of leaves are more than enough to add flavor to your dish. Lemongrass added to tea decoction is very flavourful.
Lemongrass acts as a natural mosquito repellent. Its oil is used in aromatherapy to help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression.
How to take care: Do not overwater. Water once every alternate day. It needs a good amount of sunlight [at-least 6 - 7 hours of sunlight in a day].
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Name: Tulsi
How to use: Tulsi is considered a sacred plant. Tulsi is also known as Holy Basil and has a lot of medicinal values. When consumed with honey, not only helps reduce dry cough, it helps in the soothing irritable throat.
Tulsi added to tea decoction is very flavourful.
How to take care: Do not overwater. Water once every alternate day. It needs a good amount of sunlight [at-least 6 - 7 hours of sunlight in a day].
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Name: Red Tulsi/ Krishna Tulsi
How to use: Tulsi is considered a sacred plant. Tulsi is also known as Holy Basil and has a lot of medicinal values.
Tulsi added to tea decoction is a very pleasing flavor.
How to take care: Do not overwater. Water once every alternate day. It needs a good amount of sunlight [at-least 6 - 7 hours of sunlight in a day].
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Name: Betel Leaves
How to use: Betel Leaves are considered to be excellent mouth freshener and aids in digestion. Betel leaves have a lot of medicinal values.
How to take care: Do not overwater. Water once every alternate day. Make sure the soil is slightly damp. It needs a good amount of sunlight [at-least 6 - 7 hours of sunlight in a day].
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Name: Ondelaga/Brahmi
How to use: Ondelaga/Brahmi when eaten on an empty stomach helps in increasing memory and promoting general good health
Ondelaga/Brahmi leaves are used for a variety of Indian cuisines. When grounded with coconut, spices, and added to buttermilk gives a flavourful gravy that tastes good with hot rice [ Tambuli ]. Or simply add a couple of leaves to make tasty Chutney.
How to take care: Do not overwater. Water once every alternate day. It needs a good amount of sunlight [at-least 6 - 7 hours of sunlight in a day].
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Name: Amrutha Balli/ Giloy
How to use: Amrutha Balli has a lot of medicinal values. Amrutha Balli when boiled in water and consumed enhances natural immunity.
It can also be grounded with water and consumed.
How to take care: Do not overwater. Water once every alternate day. It needs a good amount of sunlight [at-least 6 - 7 hours of sunlight in a day].
Cactus are beautiful plants and also belong to the succulent family, which is very easy to maintain and grow. They do not need constant watering. Almost all of the Cacti that I have are watered once every week. And it's definitely okay even if we forget watering them for more than a week. It's just that, when Cacti is watered, we need to make sure that the water drains well from the drainage holes in the pots. These are good travel plants as they survive even if you forget watering them. They still enhance the beauty of your green space!!
Some of the thumb rules that one needs to keep in mind when nurturing Cacti are:
- Make sure your Cacti get a good amount of direct sunlight - Cacti love bright sunlight and make sure they get at least 6 - 7 hours of bright direct sun. Keep rotating Cacti so that it receives good sunlight on all sides.
- Watering them once in a week is sufficient. Make sure, when your Cacti is watered, the water drains from the pot’s drainage holes. This ensures that all the roots have been soaked with water and can sustain well until the next water. Overwatering can kill Cacti, so make sure the soil is dry between each watering cycle.
- Soil testing is very important. This means, dab or press your finger against the soil. If the soil sticks to your finger, it is still moist and watering can wait. [Be careful not to poke your fingers, as the thorns are really sharp. Even if they are not sharp, the touch of the nodes is sometimes enough to cause a rash!]
- NEVER spray on your Cacti. ALWAYS water the soil directly. Spraining or misting the succulent leaves will help fungus and moulds to grow on them, eventually killing your plant.
005:Common Name: - Scientific Name: Kleinia Stapeliiformis |
003:Common Name: - Scientific Name: Mammillaria Gracilis |
002:Common Name: Pink Easter Lily Cactus Scientific Name: Echinopsis Oxygona |
001:Common Name: African Milktree Scientific Name: Euphorbia Trigona Mill |
Succulents are beautiful plants that are very easy to maintain and grow. They do not need constant watering. Almost all of the succulents that I have are watered once every week. And it's definitely okay even if we forget watering them for more than a week. It's just that, when succulents are watered, we need to make sure that the water drains well from the drainage holes in the pots. These are good travel plants as they survive even if you forget watering them. They still enhance the beauty of your green space!!
Some of the thumb rules that one needs to keep in mind when nurturing Succulents are:
- Make Sure Succulents get a good amount of direct sunlight - Succulents love bright sunlight and make sure they get at least 6 - 7 hours of bright direct sun. Keep rotating succulents so that it receives good sunlight on all sides.
- Watering them once in a week is sufficient. Make sure, when your succulents are watered, the water drains from the pot’s drainage holes. This ensures that all the roots have been soaked with water and can sustain well until the next water. Overwatering can kill succulent, so make sure the soil is dry between each watering cycle.
- Soil testing is very important. This means, dab or press your finger against the soil. If the soil sticks to your finger, it is still moist and watering can wait.
- NEVER spray on your succulents. ALWAYS water the soil directly. Spraining or misting the succulent leaves will help fungus and molds to grow on them, eventually killing your plant.
- Try to avoid keeping pebbles/stones around the succulent. This prevents the easy growth of PUPs or baby succulents. The PUPs need easy emergence from the soil.
Happy Succulenting :)
123:Common Name: Greene's Liveforever/Pale Stone Crop Scientific Name: Dudley Green Rose/Sedum Sediforme |
115:Common Name: - Scientific Name: Delosperma Pruinosum |
114:Common Name: - Scientific Name: Echeveria Purpusorum |
113:Common Name: Cork Screw Scientific Name: Euphorbia Mammillaris |
107:Common Name: Inrygertjie Scientific Name: Crassula Rupestris |
106:Common Name: - Scientific Name: Echeveria Pulidonis |
099:Common Name: Crassulaceae Scientific Name: Crassula Perforata |
098:Common Name: Tree Aeonium Scientific Name: Aeonium Arboreum |
097:Common Name: Lithops/living stone Scientific Name: Lithops Pseudotruncatella |
091:Common Name: Pearl Echeveria Scientific Name: Echeveria Elegant Rose |
080:Common Name: Ghost Plant Scientific Name: Graptopetalum Mendozae |
073:Common Name: Japanese Rubber plant Scientific Name: Crassula Ovata |
070:Common Name: - Scientific Name: Sansevieria Hybrids-star |
047:Common Name: Biting Stonecrop Scientific Name: Sedum Acre |
046:Common Name: String of Tears Scientific Name: Senecio Rowleyanus |
045:Common Name: Chinese Missionary Plant Scientific Name: Pilea Peperomioides Diels |
044:Common Name: String of Banana Scientific Name: Senecio Rowleyanus |
043:Common Name: String of Beads Scientific Name: Senecio Rowleyanus |
042:Common Name: Red Treasure Scientific Name: Crassula Perfoliata |
041:Common Name: Jewel Leaf Plant Scientific Name: Graptopetalum Amethystium |
040:Common Name: Scientific Name: Haworthia Cooperi Baker |
039:Common Name: Fynbos Aloe Scientific Name: Aloe Succotrina Lam. |
038:Common Name: Pen-Wiper Scientific Name: Kalanchoe Marmorata Baker |
037:Common Name: - Scientific Name: - |
036:Common Name: - Scientific Name: Aloe Haworthioides Baker |
035:Common Name: - Scientific Name: Echeveria Derenbergii J.A Purpus |
034:Common Name: - Scientific Name: Crassula Capitella Thunb. |
033:Common Name: Cryptanthus Scientific Name: Cryptanthus Bivittatus |
032:Common Name: - Scientific Name: Gasteria Batesiana |
031:Common Name: Tree Aeonium Scientific Name: Aeonium Arboreuwebb & Berthel |
030:Common Name: - Scientific Name: Echeveria Gibbiflora DC. |
029:Common Name: Scientific Name: Haworthia Cooperi Baker |
028:Common Name: - Scientific Name: Hawothia Retusa |
027:Common Name: Pearl Echeveria Scientific Name: Echeveria Elegans Rose |
025:Common Name: - Scientific Name: Peperomia Ferreyrae Yunck |
025:Common Name: House Leek Scientific Name: Sempervivu |
024:Common Name: Moulded Wax Scientific Name: Echeveria Agavoides |
023:Common Name: Pearl Echeveria Scientific Name: Echeveria Agavoides |
021:Common Name: Japanese Rubber Plant Scientific Name: Ficus Elastica |
020:Common Name: Golden Sedum Scientific Name: Sedum Adolphii |
019:Common Name: Christmas Cheer Scientific Name: Sedum Rubrotinctum |
018:Common Name: Toad Cactus Scientific Name: Orbea Variegata |
017:Common Name: Mother of thousands Scientific Name: Kalanchoe Daigremontiana |
016:Common Name: - Scientific Name: Graptopetalum Macdougallii Alexander |
015:Common Name: White Stonecrop Scientific Name: Sedum |
014:Common Name: Pale Stonecrop Scientific Name: Sedum Sediforne |
011:Common Name: Pig’s ear Scientific Name: Cotyledon Orbiculata |
010:Common Name: Echeveria Scientific Name: Echeveria Colorata |
009:Common Name: Golden Sedum Scientific Name: Sedum Adolphii |
008:Common Name: House Leek Scientific Name: Sempervivum Tectorium |
007:Common Name: - Scientific Name: Sedum burrito Moran, Sedum rubrotinctum Clausen |
006:Common Name: Scientific Name: Kleinia Petraea |
005:Common Name: Iceplant Scientific Name: Mesembryamthemum Cordifolium |
004:Common Name: Burro’s Tail Scientific Name: Sedum Morganianum E.Walter |
003:Common Name: Elephant Bush Scientific Name: Portulacaria Afra Jacq. |
002:Common Name: Aloe Vera Scientific Name: Barbados Aloe |
001:Common Name: Pillow Plant Scientific Name: Plectranthus Prostratus Gurke |
It's a nice feeling and a feel-good factor to enter a home with beautiful plants that welcome you with their freshness! I have few Ornamental plants, which I rotate as my indoor and outdoor plants from time to time, to make sure they get sunlight and shade over a period of time.
043:Common Name: Australian Laurel Scientific Name: Pittosporum Tobira BONSAI - Approximately Two years old as of July 2021 |
042:Common Name: Lemon Scientific Name: Citrus Lemon BONSAI - Approximately Four years old as of July 2021 |
039:Common Name: Common Staghorn Fern Scientific Name: Platycerium Bifurcatum Approximately One year old as of September 2020 |
032:Common Name: Umbrella plant Scientific Name: Euonymus Japonicus Thunb. |
031:Common Name: Spotted Dracaena Scientific Name: Dracaena Surculosa Lindl. |
030:Common Name: Chinese Evergreen Scientific Name: Aglaonema Commutatum Schott |
029:Common Name: Forever Rich Scientific Name: Ledebouria Socialis |
028:Common Name: Evergreen Conifers Scientific Name: Chamaecyparis Pisifera |
027:Common Name: Flamingo - Lily Scientific Name: Anthurium Andraeanum Linden |
026:Common Name: Christmas Flower Scientific Name: Euphorbia Pulcherrima Willd |
025:Common Name: Bamboo Palm Scientific Name: Chamaedorea Seifrizii Burret |
024:Common Name: Anggrek Bulan - Orchids Scientific Name: Phalaenopsis Amabilis |
023:Common Name: Blushing Bride Scientific Name: Tillandsia Ionantha Planch |
022:Common Name: Elephant Bush [Green] Approximately Three years old as of 2020Scientific Name: Portulacaria Afra Jacq. |
021:Common Name: ZZ Plant Scientific Name: Zamioculcas Zamiifolia |
020:Common Name: Calathea Scientific Name: Calathea Rufibarba Fenzl |
019:Common Name: Christmas Flower Scientific Name: Euphorbia Pulcherrima Wild |
018:Common Name: Clubed Begonia Scientific Name: Begonia Cucullata Wild |
017:Common Name: Snake plant/Mother-in-law's tongue Scientific Name: Sansevieria Trifasciata Prain |
016:Common Name: African Bowstring-hemp Scientific Name: Sansevieria Trifasciata Prain |
015:Common Name: Malayan Banyan Scientific Name: Ficus Benjamina L. |
014:Common Name: Poaceae Scientific Name: Pleioblastus Viridistriatus [Regel] |
013:Common Name: Araceae Scientific Name: Philodendron Xanadu Croat |
012:Common Name: Inchplant Scientific Name: Tradescantia Zebrina Bosse |
011:Common Name: Purple Queen Scientific Name: Tradescantia Pallida [Rose] |
010:Common Name: Sprenger’s Asparagus Fern Scientific Name: Asparagus Densiflorus |
009:Common Name: Boston Fern Scientific Name: Nephrolepis Exaltata [l.] Schott |
008:Common Name: Golden Money Plant Scientific Name: Epipremnum Aureum |
007:Common Name: Marble Prince Money Plant Scientific Name: Epipremnum Aureum’ Marble Prince |
006:Common Name: Marble Queen Money Plant Scientific Name: Epipremnum Aureum’ Marble Queen |
005:Common Name: Jade Plant Scientific Name: Epipremnum Aureum’ Jade |
004:Common Name: Neon Money Plant Scientific Name: Epipremnum Aureum’ Neon |
003:Common Name: White Rosemallow Scientific Name: Hibiscus Arnottianus A.Gray |