In a tropical place like India where we get abundant sunshine, it is worth having a green leafy garden on our balcony or our kitchen window.
In our native place at Dindigul, I always get up early in the morning to see the tiny dew drops on the leaves of grasses, plants and the trees around our house. I loved to admire the morning sunrays reflected in the tiny dew drops on the blades of grass.
In Chennai, when we lived on the first floor of an independent house, I decided to maintain a fresh leafy garden on the balcony. Everyday morning when I water the plants fresh with green leaves, I feel rejuvenated and happy. It is interesting to note that green plants have different shades of green. Looking at the different shades of green in a single space will never fail to rekindle the energy level. Looking at different colors of flowers can also make us happy. Yet, green leaves can bring peace and comfort to our minds and make us feel comfortable and happy with whatever we have.
Some of the plants I had in my leafy garden were Tulasi or basil, Money plant, Karpooravalli or Oregano, Coriander or cilantro, mint, colocasia and thuthuvallai. These plants can be reared well in separate mud pots.
Money plant or jade plant is a common indoor plant grown in Chennai homes. Money plant is a climber and it can be grown by planting a twig plucked from the mother plant. It is believed that money plant brings wealth and prosperity to a home. Money plants can bring in positive energy and can also help to build healthy relationships at home.
After using the mint leaves for cooking, I planted the empty twigs of mint in a pot. After a few days, fresh leaves started to grow from the twigs. The fresh mint leaves always give a distinct flavour to the soups or curries. Whenever we need we can pluck fresh mint leaves from the twigs. New leaves will grow within a few days.
For coriander or cilantro, I sprinkled some dry coriander seeds in a mud pot. Before you sprinkle, crush the dry seeds with your palm. Hold some seeds in your left palm and crush them with the right palm. This will split the seeds into two and fresh coriander baby plants will grow in a week. Just like mint, karpooravalli grows from a planted twig. Within a few days, roots will grow from the twigs and we will enjoy looking at a bushy karpooravalli that will send its perfume with the whiff of the air into your home.
Once, I planted a few colocasia tubes in an empty pot. I did this unknowingly, but to my surprise, the colocasia plant, or elephant ear plant, grew with heart-shaped leaves and made my little leafy garden great.
My Green Green Tulasi Plant
The rich foliage with a subtle fragrance is a sight to see. Every independent household in Tamil Nadu has a Tulasi plant in their backyard. Young girls and women of Tamil Nadu follow it as a ritual to worship Tulasi daily. Every morning and evening a small mud lamp will be lit beside the Tulasi plant. People believed Tulasi pooja would bring prosperity and wealth to their households. There are two types of Tulasi plants, Krishna Tulasi and Vishnu Tulasi. Krishna Tulasi is a plant with rich green foliage and looks fresh and healthy. Vishnu Tulasi is dark green with a shade of red.
Tulasi is an herbal plant that has medicinal value. Every South Indian household knows the simple treatment of boiling some Tulasi leaves in water and drinking that water lukewarm will cure cold and sore throat. I remember once I drank only Tulasi water and got cured of my high fever. But it is wonderful to note here that Tulasi helps to be a natural birth controller. If men have Tulasi leaves daily, it can induce sterility and make the person sterile.
I don’t remember when I started to do my Tulasi pooja. I had been doing it for years until we moved on to the apartments where we live now. Everyday after the bath, I will first water the Tulasi plant. Then I will sprinkle water around the plant and draw the specific kolam for the day. I will fetch some flowers for my tulasi plant and lit the lamp beside it. I will light a perfume stick or an agarpathi and place it in the soil near the plant. I loved to see the Tulasi plant in the evening with the little mud lamp beside it.
When I was working as a teacher, one of my colleagues arranged for the Tulasi wedding at her home. The entire home was decorated for the wedding. She got new wedding attire for the Tulasi plant and her groom Lord Krishna. A priest from the nearby temple came to conduct the marriage. After chanting mantras, he made her tie the mangal sutra to the Tulasi plant. Only girls and women were invited for the tulasi marriage and she served a wonderful dinner after the wedding.
Why is it beneficial to have a green leafy garden at home?
Having a green leafy garden at home provides numerous benefits. Plants improve air quality, create a soothing atmosphere, and enhance mental well-being. Greenery also brings a sense of freshness and relaxation, especially in urban settings like Chennai, where space for nature is limited.
What are some easy-to-grow plants mentioned in the story, and how can they be maintained?
The story mentions plants like Tulasi (basil), Money Plant, Karpooravalli (Oregano), Mint, Coriander (Cilantro), and Colocasia. These plants are easy to grow in small spaces using mud pots. Most of them can be propagated from cuttings or seeds. Regular watering, adequate sunlight, and occasional pruning help maintain them well.
What is the significance of the Tulasi plant in Indian households?
Tulasi is considered sacred in Indian culture and is believed to bring prosperity and health to a home. Many households perform Tulasi pooja (prayer) daily, lighting lamps and incense sticks beside the plant. Tulasi also has medicinal properties and is used in herbal remedies for colds, sore throats, and fever.
How can common herbs like mint, coriander, and karpooravalli be grown at home?
Mint can be grown from leftover twigs after use, while coriander seeds should be crushed slightly before planting to encourage sprouting. Karpooravalli grows well from cuttings. These herbs need moderate watering and plenty of sunlight. Fresh leaves can be plucked as needed, and new growth will appear in a few days.
What is the Tulasi wedding, and why is it celebrated in some South Indian households?
Tulasi wedding, or Tulasi Vivah, is a traditional Hindu ritual where the Tulasi plant is symbolically married to Lord Krishna. It marks the beginning of the wedding season in Hindu culture. The ceremony involves decorations, prayers, and rituals performed by women, followed by a festive meal. It is believed to bring blessings and prosperity to the home.
Growing up in an environment enriched with colours of nature adorned with sounds of machines, I enjoyed life with all challenges. Nature is always a great teacher that teaches empathy to live and let live others. Though I am now living in an urban environment, the lesson that nature taught me motivates and allows me to keep on writing. I will always remember the cool afternoons in the shades of trees that made me write more on love.