If you want to keep your terrace vibrant and green amidst the scorching heat and intense sunlight of Delhi, it is essential to choose plants that can grow effortlessly without requiring excessive maintenance or heavy watering. Aman has been cultivating a mini-jungle on his rooftop for the past few years, creating a thriving terrace garden that bustles with birds and butterflies throughout the day. To help others achieve this, Aman has shared five specific plants that can be grown successfully in Delhi.
Bougainvillea: The Sun-Loving Champion
According to Aman, Bougainvillea is an exceptional choice to combat Delhi's intense summer heat and harsh sunlight. This plant does not require frequent watering and can easily withstand many hours of direct, glaring sun. Several vines of Bougainvillea spread across his terrace garden, and the abundance of colorful blossoms continuously attracts a wide variety of birds and butterflies to the space all day long.
Tecoma: Vibrant Blooms with Low Maintenance
Tecoma, adorned with bright yellow and orange flowers, can also be cultivated effortlessly in the local climate. Aman explains that Tecoma comes in multiple varieties, allowing gardeners to choose smaller or larger plants depending on the available space. A major advantage of this plant is its minimal water requirement. In his own setup, Aman has paired Bougainvillea and Tecoma together to create a striking visual combination.
If you prefer blue or light purple flowers in your summer garden, Plumbago is an ideal candidate. It looks remarkably attractive and grows exceptionally well even without copious amounts of water, instantly elevating the aesthetic appeal of a terrace garden during the hot season. Similarly, Jatropha joins the roster of low-water plants that flourish under Delhi's summer conditions, making it a smart pick for anyone looking to save on water usage while maintaining greenery.
Ixora and Understanding Plant Demands
Ixora is another favorite in Aman's collection, producing gorgeous clusters of flowers that look visually stunning. While this plant naturally grows more easily in South India, it can still be successfully cultivated in Delhi with proper and attentive care, though it demands slightly more watering and maintenance compared to the other hardy varieties.
Aman emphasizes that treating every plant in the garden with the exact same schedule of water and fertilizer is a mistake. He compares plants to children, noting that just as every child has unique requirements, every plant has distinct needs. Some plants thrive in harsh sunlight while others prefer shade, and some demand heavy watering while others require very little. Applying vermicompost at regular intervals can also prove highly beneficial for certain varieties. Therefore, understanding an individual plant's requirements before planting is crucial. While Bougainvillea can easily endure over eight hours of intense sun, plants like the Rhapis palm perform much better in shady spots.
