01 - House Plants

Most house plants can be repotted during this season. Prepare fertile soil mix in advance and keep it covered with a tarpaulin — once the rains stop, the soil becomes too wet to work with.

Before buying new pots, do a thorough hunt around the garden and service areas. Almost every home hides forgotten treasures — old ceramic pots, trays, shallow containers, and unused planters tucked behind tanks, bushes, walls, or sheds.

• Group similar plants in similar-sized pots (e.g., all ferns in 8” pots).
• Combine weak plants to save space and free up containers.
• Avoid unnecessarily upsizing pots — root pruning allows plants to return to the same pot size.
• This slow, hands-on process costs almost nothing and results in a far more cohesive and elegant plant display.

02 - Flowering

Plumeria, Murraya, Raat Rani, Hibiscus, Oleander, Plumbago, Verbena, Chameli, and creepers such as Madhumalti, Allamanda, Clerodendron, Tecoma, Clematis, and Bougainvillea are in full glory — filling the garden with colour and fragrance.

• Pruning is crucial once flowering finishes and before new buds form.
• Summer-flowering plants should be pruned in late winter or early spring.
• This is an excellent time for propagation — cuttings, root division, and layering.
• Bare-root trees and shrubs can also be planted now.
• Keep an eye out for leaf spot, powdery mildew, and rust.

03 - Indoor Plants

• Move plants away from ACs, coolers, fans, and air purifiers.
• During rains, put indoor plants outside to let them get naturally washed.
• For light-sensitive plants: place them outdoors after sunset, leave overnight, allow gentle morning sun, and bring them in before midday heat.
• Nurseries are well-stocked — this is a good month to expand your indoor jungle.

Golden Rule of Watering

Touch the soil.

• If dry → water thoroughly till it drains out.
• If unsure → wait one more day.

Spray foliage daily, wipe leaves gently, and maintain humidity around plants.

04 - Roses, Dahlias & Chrysanthemums

Roses

• Regular watering, weeding, and hoeing are essential.

Chrysanthemums

• Transplant rooted cuttings into 9” pots in the first week of August (3 cuttings of the same variety per pot).
• Keep in shade for 2 days, semi-shade for 3–4 days, then full sun.
• Feed with liquid fertilizer every 15 days.
• Protect from pests with weekly sprays until flowering begins.

05 - Bulbs

Still time to plant Caladium and Canna. Beg, borrow, or steal small roots of Alocasia and Elephant Ears from friends.

Great combinations for the ground:

• Spider lilies
• Zephyr (rain) lilies
• Ginger lilies
• Elephant ears
• Bird of Paradise
• Canna

For containers:

• Begonias
• Blood lily (football lily)
• Tuberose

Tip: Bulbs should be large, heavy, and uninjured. Plant in groups for visual impact — abundance always looks better than lonely bulbs.

06 - Vegetables

Sow seeds for:

• Okra
• Bitter gourd
• Sponge gourd
• Tinda
• Cucumber
• Tomato
• French beans
• Sem

07 - Seasonal Flowers

Easy, long-lasting favourites:

• Sada Bahar
• Portulaca

Sunflowers (Giant & Teddy varieties) thrive in full sun and attract birds and butterflies.

Other good choices:

• Cosmos
• Zinnias
• Marigolds

08 - Herbs

The most reliable herbs for Delhi summers:

• Lemongrass
• Basil
• Tulsi (Holy Basil)
• Chives
• Rosemary

Grow Tulsi and Basil in large, open-mouth pots so seeds self-sow during the monsoon.

09 - Lawns & Hedges

• Repair bald patches by loosening soil and replanting grass roots from lawn edges.
• Plant with a 2” gap and feed with neem khali, bone meal, or well-sieved compost.
• Water and mow regularly.

Important: Never leave an open pipe on the lawn. Always sprinkle — open pipes encourage deep-rooted weeds like motha.

10 - Succulents

Move all succulents and cacti under cover.

This season is dangerous for them due to excess moisture and rot.