Greenery is a luxury in most urban areas. While most planned townships and housing complexes aim to incorporate green spaces, having plants within our homes can have a substantial positive impact on our well-being. Benefits of having plants in the house include enhanced aesthetic value, pure air, better immunity and even better mental health.

With urban homes facing a space crunch, adding greenery to the house seems like a farfetched idea. But the fact is nature is exceptionally resilient and can thrive in the most challenging conditions. To create your patch of greenery at home, all you need to do is to find a little space and the right plants which can make that space its home.

Here are some ideas and tips which will make sure that your attempt at gardening in your balcony is successful.

Natural conditions

One of the foremost reasons why home gardens fail is not paying enough attention to the natural conditions of the area in which your plants will reside. Whether it is a window sill or a balcony, the first thing to make a note of is the amount of sunlight that the area gets daily. It is also essential to consider the overall climate of where you live. While it is tempting to buy your favourite flowering plants and lush green indoor plants for your balcony, buy the ones that will thrive in these natural conditions to avoid failure. From indoor plants to vegetables and herbs to succulents and cacti, there are plenty of options available for each open space in your home. Some plants that can survive in most Indian cities are aloe, agave, anthurium, lucky bamboo, jade, spider plant, Boston fern, and aglaonema.

Right beginning

Like every home improvement project, gardening at home requires a significant investment of time and money. It is prudent to test your skills and natural conditions by purchasing a few plants as the first step instead of filling up your balcony and home with plants. A home garden requires a lot of TLC, and not everyone has a green thumb. Begin slow. Start with creating a plan which outlines where you can safely place the plants and which ones you would like to have in your home. Buy a few of these and expand your garden as time goes by.

Beyond the basic

When we think of home gardens, we immediately visualise indoor foliage, palms, flowering and tree type plants. But just like everything else in your home, your plants can be a reflection of your personality, and you can even get creative while planning your home garden. If you are a home chef who likes experimenting, you can try to grow herbs and spices such as basil, oregano, mint, lavender,

thyme, etc. It is also possible to grow certain vegetables at home. If you prefer something colourful and creative, unique succulents are an excellent option for you. Just like us, plants also have unique personalities and traits. Pick the ones that personally appeal to you.

As mentioned earlier, plants require a significant amount of care and attention. The most important part of planning your home garden is considering your lifestyle and preferences of family members. If you travel a lot or tend to be busy, pick up plants that require low maintenance and watering. Plants such as succulents, cacti, and air plants require occasional watering. Ferns, snake plant, peace lilies, and the evergreen money plant are good options if you are looking for low maintenance of indoor plants.  Similarly, if you have small kids or pets at home, be careful of the plants you choose as some plants can be harmful and dangerous.   Still apprehensive? Plan a trip to the nursery. A conversation with the gardener at your local nursery can help you plan your garden with ease and excitement. Start a greener and healthier life by planting a garden or bringing a few plants home today.