Green in the hot sun

How to keep plants healthy in summer.

The good news first. Compared to other seasons, plants actually feel healthiest in summer. Many plants and flowering trees such as the Gulmohar flower from early to late summer. The bad news — overwatering can make plants wilt, and sometimes die.

Dos and don’ts
Do not keep plants in direct sunlight. “Covering the plants with a greenhouse shade cloth is important,” says Abhija Dalal, an Ahmedabad-based landscapist.

You could cover the soil in pots with pebbles to help retain moisture, or spread ‘grass clippings’, an easy and inexpensive way to ensure plants remain healthy. “After you mow the lawn, take the lawn clippings, dry them and spread a thin layer on the pots. It keeps the soil cooler and retains moisture for a longer time too,” Dalal explains. But make sure the grass-clippings are not too wet, or spread too thick.

Summer is, however, a bad time to plant seedlings. “They require much tougher maintenance,” says Sriram Aravamudan of My Sunny Balcony, a Bangalore-based landscape firm.

As for indoor plants, keep them once every three to four days in the sunlight (not directly under the sun in peak summer). “Don’t keep them next to glass windows as the heat emitted is much more,” warns Dalal.

Watering, say experts, should be done in the early mornings and late evenings, never in the afternoons or late nights. Plants should be watered in such a manner that the soil is soaked and water doesn’t overflow from the pot.

Summer plants
Dalal recommends Kochia, a plant with ‘fringed leaves’ that looks very pretty in the outdoors. It can grow in dry, non-fertile soils and looks very good as a potted plant. Kochia, however, is said to have high levels of nitrates, which can be toxic.

Marigolds, too, are good for the early summer, as is the white jasmine, says Aravamudan, which remains in full bloom even in the peak of summer. Jasmine, an evergreen semi-vining shrub, can be planted directly in pots.

There’s also the sweet smelling Rangoon creeper (madhumalti) that grows very well in summer.

Bougainvillea, too, blooms beautifully in summer, while the bright red/orange Heliconia is the preferred landscape plant for the season.

One could also try Portulaca, a plant with delicate flowers. Available in numerous varieties, the flowers of Portulaca have a tangy taste, which is why they’re often used in stir fry dishes.

It’s an easy plant to grow in summer and can be kept either indoors or outdoors.

Sadly, flowering plants such as hibiscus and petunias bloom only in early summer.

“Many varieties of cacti,” says Aravamudan, “are good for the summer , but don’t expect any of them to flower now.”

For those looking to expand their kitchen gardens, a good idea is to grow water vegetables, including pumpkins.

Anju Kumar of Win Green, a company in the business of selling herbs, also recommends, “Thyme, marjoram, lemongrass and oregano will last you year after year. They have a rest period but they grow back on the same plant. It’s nice to have a variety of these herbs in summers. But don’t keep them in direct sunlight,” she warns.