8 Best Sun-Loving Plants for Indian Gardens
Want carefree colour? Fill your garden with a wide range of plants that thrive in full sun, and enjoy the colour show
Sun-loving plants don’t have to be worrisome. As long as you choose the ones that thrive in your area and are heat and drought tolerant, you should be rewarded with beautiful flowers and foliage.
Climatic zones of India are divided into three types:
1. Tropical rainy climate
(The west coast of India including parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and the Andaman-Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands)
2. Dry climate
a) Tropical semi-arid
(North, central and south Maharashtra)
b) Sub-tropical arid
(Rajasthan and Gujarat)
c) Sub-tropical semi-arid
(Punjab, Haryana, UP, western MP, Delhi)
3. Sub-tropical humid climate
a) Sub-tropical humid
(Foothills of the Himalayas, Bihar, northern West Bengal, Assam, Orissa)
b) Mountain/Alpine
(Mid-Himalayan mountain range)
All the plants mentioned in this story are acclimatised to our Indian climatic conditions and should be easy to grow in your gardens with the right care. Opting for these varieties is one of the best decisions you can make for a hassle-free, bright and colourful garden.
Here are eight great plants that will make the best of all the sunshine they can soak up.
Find a landscape designer near you to design your garden
1. Tropical rainy climate
(The west coast of India including parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and the Andaman-Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands)
2. Dry climate
a) Tropical semi-arid
(North, central and south Maharashtra)
b) Sub-tropical arid
(Rajasthan and Gujarat)
c) Sub-tropical semi-arid
(Punjab, Haryana, UP, western MP, Delhi)
3. Sub-tropical humid climate
a) Sub-tropical humid
(Foothills of the Himalayas, Bihar, northern West Bengal, Assam, Orissa)
b) Mountain/Alpine
(Mid-Himalayan mountain range)
All the plants mentioned in this story are acclimatised to our Indian climatic conditions and should be easy to grow in your gardens with the right care. Opting for these varieties is one of the best decisions you can make for a hassle-free, bright and colourful garden.
Here are eight great plants that will make the best of all the sunshine they can soak up.
Find a landscape designer near you to design your garden
1. Succulents
Succulents are one of the most beautiful companions you can choose for your full-sun garden. Being hassle free, and requiring minimum maintenance and water, they are the ones you should be looking for if you find yourself with limited time for caring for your garden. Succulents will give you the joy and fulfilment of a low-maintenance garden, and even surprise you with a beautiful display of flowers.
Ideal climate type: 1, 2a, 2b, 2c
Best for: Those with limited time to care for the garden
Find out more about succulents you can plant in your garden
Succulents are one of the most beautiful companions you can choose for your full-sun garden. Being hassle free, and requiring minimum maintenance and water, they are the ones you should be looking for if you find yourself with limited time for caring for your garden. Succulents will give you the joy and fulfilment of a low-maintenance garden, and even surprise you with a beautiful display of flowers.
Ideal climate type: 1, 2a, 2b, 2c
Best for: Those with limited time to care for the garden
Find out more about succulents you can plant in your garden
2. Rain lilies (Zephyranthes candida)
Locally known as: Fairy lily
Also known as zephyr lily or fairy lily, this is a charming petite plant to have in the garden. Available in pink, yellow and white colours, rain lilies produce colourful starry flowers late in summer all through the monsoon and up till October.
Ideal climate type: 1, 2a, 2c, 3a
Best for: Use as a flower bed when planted in large numbers, tucked beside a boulder, or peeking out between other sun-loving plants.
Tip: Be sure to keep them at the front of your garden border so that their petite blooms are easily seen.
Locally known as: Fairy lily
Also known as zephyr lily or fairy lily, this is a charming petite plant to have in the garden. Available in pink, yellow and white colours, rain lilies produce colourful starry flowers late in summer all through the monsoon and up till October.
Ideal climate type: 1, 2a, 2c, 3a
Best for: Use as a flower bed when planted in large numbers, tucked beside a boulder, or peeking out between other sun-loving plants.
Tip: Be sure to keep them at the front of your garden border so that their petite blooms are easily seen.
3. Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata)
Locally known as: Neel chitrak
Plumbago is a perennial shrub with light-green foliage and sky-blue flowers that bloom in summer and then again post the monsoon season. It can be used as a shrub, climber and potted plant, as well as ground cover, depending on how it is pruned.
Ideal climate type: 1, 2a, 2c, 3a
Best for: Spots beside walls, courtyard gardens, patio and terrace gardens, and attracting butterflies.
Locally known as: Neel chitrak
Plumbago is a perennial shrub with light-green foliage and sky-blue flowers that bloom in summer and then again post the monsoon season. It can be used as a shrub, climber and potted plant, as well as ground cover, depending on how it is pruned.
Ideal climate type: 1, 2a, 2c, 3a
Best for: Spots beside walls, courtyard gardens, patio and terrace gardens, and attracting butterflies.
4. Golden Thryallis, canary bush (Galphimia glauca)
Locally known as: Galphimia
This evergreen shrub loves the heat and sun and can be ever-blooming in tropical countries like ours. It is also a good choice for a potted plant and is drought-tolerant once established. The yellow flowers appear all summer even during dry spells.
Ideal climate type: 2a, 2c, 3a
Best for: Using as a filler plant, and for attracting bees and butterflies.
Locally known as: Galphimia
This evergreen shrub loves the heat and sun and can be ever-blooming in tropical countries like ours. It is also a good choice for a potted plant and is drought-tolerant once established. The yellow flowers appear all summer even during dry spells.
Ideal climate type: 2a, 2c, 3a
Best for: Using as a filler plant, and for attracting bees and butterflies.
5. Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
Locally known as: Sawani, dhayti
Topping the charts for easy care, crepe myrtle is a near-perfect patio tree for warm climates. In spring and summer the trees bloom with showy clusters of flowers in colours that can range from white to pale pink, deep magenta and red.
Ideal climate type: 1, 2a, 2c
Best for: Planting as a feature tree against a backdrop wall, or even against some beautiful foliage planting.
Locally known as: Sawani, dhayti
Topping the charts for easy care, crepe myrtle is a near-perfect patio tree for warm climates. In spring and summer the trees bloom with showy clusters of flowers in colours that can range from white to pale pink, deep magenta and red.
Ideal climate type: 1, 2a, 2c
Best for: Planting as a feature tree against a backdrop wall, or even against some beautiful foliage planting.
6. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea
spectabilis)
Locally known as: Booganvel
When we talk about climbers, the bougainvillea is the first plant genus that comes to mind. It is a low-care vine, commonly recognised by its flamboyant clusters of vividly hued flower-like bracts (specialised leaves). The actual tiny white flowers nestle within. On closer contact one notices its liberally thorny branches.
Ideal climate type: 2a, 2b, 2c
Best for: Planting on a chain-link fence, or on a trellis or arbor, for a lovely colour show all summer.
spectabilis)
Locally known as: Booganvel
When we talk about climbers, the bougainvillea is the first plant genus that comes to mind. It is a low-care vine, commonly recognised by its flamboyant clusters of vividly hued flower-like bracts (specialised leaves). The actual tiny white flowers nestle within. On closer contact one notices its liberally thorny branches.
Ideal climate type: 2a, 2b, 2c
Best for: Planting on a chain-link fence, or on a trellis or arbor, for a lovely colour show all summer.
7. Pink ball flower (Dombeya wallichii)
Locally known as: Domrupani
This lovely plant blooms during the months of March to May, with very large clusters of pendulous, pink flowers. The large leaves resemble hydrangea and defoliate from December to January.
Ideal climate type: 2a, 2c, 3a
Best for: Growing as a shrub, as a specimen plant, or for some privacy screening.
Locally known as: Domrupani
This lovely plant blooms during the months of March to May, with very large clusters of pendulous, pink flowers. The large leaves resemble hydrangea and defoliate from December to January.
Ideal climate type: 2a, 2c, 3a
Best for: Growing as a shrub, as a specimen plant, or for some privacy screening.
8. Palms
If you’re looking for sun-loving palm trees, you’re in luck because the selection is huge and there is no shortage of full-sun palm trees, including those well suited for containers.
A popular landscaping plant, the golden cane palm (Dypsis lutescens) is ideal for bringing a tropical feel into your garden. Its bright green and gold stems are a stand-out and the dense foliage is perfect for providing that lush verdant look – great for screening.
Another great choice is the silver Bismarck palm (Bismarckia nobilis) – This highly sought-after warm-weather palm thrives in heat and full sun.
Ideal climate type: 1, 2a, 2c
Read more about leafy palms for sunny spots here.
If you’re looking for sun-loving palm trees, you’re in luck because the selection is huge and there is no shortage of full-sun palm trees, including those well suited for containers.
A popular landscaping plant, the golden cane palm (Dypsis lutescens) is ideal for bringing a tropical feel into your garden. Its bright green and gold stems are a stand-out and the dense foliage is perfect for providing that lush verdant look – great for screening.
Another great choice is the silver Bismarck palm (Bismarckia nobilis) – This highly sought-after warm-weather palm thrives in heat and full sun.
Ideal climate type: 1, 2a, 2c
Read more about leafy palms for sunny spots here.
Read more:
A Beginner’s Guide to a Moon Garden
Zen Gardens for Urban Homes
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If you enjoyed this story, then like it, bookmark it and share your thoughts in Comments below. Join in the conversation.
A Beginner’s Guide to a Moon Garden
Zen Gardens for Urban Homes
Tell us:
If you enjoyed this story, then like it, bookmark it and share your thoughts in Comments below. Join in the conversation.
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Recognising sun-loving plants
The best plants to use in a sunny garden are those that would naturally be found in exposed positions with high light levels, and low rainfall. Plants that can cope in such locations have evolved by developing certain characteristics such as effective water storage. A sunny garden planted with suitable plants will be much easier to establish and maintain than one with poorly chosen plants.