01 - House Plants

Plants are waking up from dormancy. Prune weak and dead branches, always cutting just above a node to encourage fresh growth.

Jasmine, Tecoma, Allamanda, Hibiscus, Nicotiana, Coleus, Mussaenda, Ficus, Acalypha, Duranta, Plumbago, Blue Sage, and Oleander will all begin to spring into life. While your maali may feel it’s still cold, tropical plants are ready to grow.

Plants kept under winter protection can now be moved to sunnier spots. By mid-February, turn the soil and add organic farmyard manure, neem khali, and bone meal. You can safely prune, relocate plants, plant cuttings, and resume most regular gardening activities.

• Spray NPK 20:20:20 once a week (a pinch per litre of water)
• Turn soil every two weeks
• Feed fruit trees generously and water well

Grapevines: Dig soil about 10 inches deep around the vine and leave exposed for a week. Remove fibrous roots, add fish manure, cover with soil, and water well as this greatly improves grape sweetness.

Creepers like Begonia venusta and flame vine (orange trumpet vine) will be in full bloom. These need full sun and ground planting; containers and terraces restrict flowering.

Clerodendrum splendens will also flower profusely and is one of the few creepers that blooms repeatedly even in shade.

02 - Indoor Plants

Protect from frost at night. Water once every 8–10 days and avoid overwatering. Cover foliage plants like crotons, money plants, and philodendrons with tarpaulin outdoors.

Indoor plants inside the house need stable temperatures. Sudden shifts — from heaters to cold drafts — stress plants. Maintain a steady room temperature and feed with liquid manure.

03 - Roses, Dahlias & Chrysanthemums

Roses are in full bloom. Deadhead regularly. The Desi or Kashmiri Gulab is highly recommended, hardy, fragrant, and generous with flowers.

Dahlias are at their best. Deadhead daily, cutting from the node to avoid bare stems, and enjoy the pollinators they attract.

Chrysanthemums: New suckers will begin to appear. Feed with neem khali and bone meal if growth is slow. Remove suckers, pot them in 4 to 6 inch pots, and keep in shade.

04 - Bulbous Plants

Winter bulbs are in full bloom. Once flowering starts, water when soil dries. Ranunculus (butter rose) and lilliums should be moved to semi-shade so blooms last longer.

For Summer Bulbs: Grow caladiums, cannas, Easter lilies, spider lilies, zephyr (rain) lilies, ginger lilies, elephant ears, bird of paradise, football lily, amaryllis, and tuberose.

For visual impact, always plant bulbs in groups. Choose large, heavy bulbs with minimal marks — healthy bulbs mean better flowering.

05 - Vegetables

Prepare beds for summer vegetables:

• Bitter gourd
• Bottle gourd
• Cucumber
• French beans
• Okra
• Sponge gourd
• Watermelon

Spinach and coriander can still be grown.

06 - Seasonal Flowers

Winter flowers are blooming beautifully.

• Water and de-weed regularly
• Deadhead consistently to encourage fresh blooms

Sow Summer Flower Seeds: Highly recommended: Sada Bahar and Portulaca.

Also grow: Cosmos, Gaillardia, Gomphrena, Kochia, and Zinnia.

07 - Herbs

Move parsley, celery, and rocket into semi-shade to extend their life.

Herbs that thrive in Delhi summers:

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

Grow basil and tulsi in large, open-mouthed pots so seeds self-sow during the monsoon.

08 - Lawns & Hedges

Excellent time to repair bald patches. Loosen soil, transplant grass roots from lawn edges at 2-inch gaps, feed with neem khali and bone meal, and water regularly.

09 - Succulents

Perfect time to propagate by division or cuttings. Water once a week and always from below to prevent rot.