Dig deeper into gardening with these six trends

In my pursuit of new creative hobbies, I decided to experiment with gardening about five years ago. While my friends were basking in the glory of their blooming gardens, I was heavily displeased at the lack of a ‘green thumb’, a term that implies a natural talent for growing plants. 

Cut to 2021, I gave it another shot, and to my surprise, it worked this time around. What was different? I’d say my intent and the attention I gave my plants. Within a few months, my balcony became a sanctuary; a safe space where I could experience a moment of quietude amid nature. This was particularly helpful during the pandemic. 

It wasn’t just me. An analysis of Google Trends pointed towards a parallel growth in interest in gardening as Covid-19 infections rose across the world in 2020 and 2021. For some, it was a great way to occupy themselves at a time when work took a backseat; for others, it was all about being one with nature.

“Digging in the dirt can have several physical and mental wellness benefits. Not only do you squat and lunge while being involved in the activity, but you also tend to be more mindful while gardening. This helps to strengthen your mental capacity, improves immune response, and increases oxygen levels in the blood,” says Anaita Balsara, a mental wellness counsellor from Hyderabad. “Gardening has also been shown to reduce anxiety and lower stress levels,” Balsara adds.  

With interest in gardening piquing amongst the young and old alike, YS Life asked some prominent brands in the space—ugaoo.com and ByTheLeaf—about the biggest gardening trends that can be adopted by enthusiasts. 

Get growing 

“In today’s fast-paced world, gardening has shed its daunting image and become effortlessly accessible to all. Modern methods, abundant knowledge, innovative approaches, and online gardening companies with product expertise have made cultivating green spaces a joy for everyone,” says Vikas Tripathi, COO of Ugaoo–a Pune-based brand that offers live indoor plants, seeds, soil, manure, fertiliser, watering, and garden tools.

Without further ado, let’s turn the spotlight on some exciting gardening trends: 

Indoor gardening

Ideal for urban dwellers who seek a touch of greenery inside their homes, indoor gardening is a great way to build compact gardens either in balconies or window sills. Not only does this help purify the air in the house, indoor plants can also amp up the decor in your space. Some of the most common indoor plants include aloe vera, spider plant, succulents, and cacti.

Food gardening

“With health becoming a primary concern in the last few years, people have started growing organic food at home,” says Tripathi. 

Enthusiasts can select from a large selection of vegetable seeds to choose from—tomato, spinach, coriander, broccoli, beetroot, microgreens, and fruits in their gardens. 

Garden of Eden

Garden of Eden is all about living harmoniously with nature and includes the introduction of pollinator-friendly plants, along with edibles to reduce human intervention as much as possible. It is a regenerative organic gardening method to create gardens that are designed to look and feel as natural as possible, while being highly functional. 

“It is all about incorporating fruiting plants that will provide a habitat for birds and a canopy for you to read a book. The addition of flowering plants is equally beneficial, since it will attract bees while lending a sweet fragrance to your evening walk,” shares Deepika Khosla, Founder of ByTheLeaf–a brand that offers plant decor services like terrariums, landscaping, and indoor plant options. 

To build a Garden of Eden, one should focus on native plants, flowers, berries, and seeds. 

The pavilion punch

As the name suggests, pavilion is a term used to describe ornamental buildings in parks that provide shelter and a space to unwind. This space can be a value-addition at home and must have comfortable seating, clean flooring, and tables and benches.

“Pavilions have taken centre stage to create a seamless transition between the indoors and outdoors. They give you the freedom to set up an outdoor kitchen with elements like a gourmet grill and a refrigerator, shade to enjoy a cup of tea (or coffee) and a roof to put your feet up and just be,” adds Khosla.

Green Gifting

Corporates are becoming increasingly conscious of incorporating a sustainable element in gifting–and plants are certainly a viable choice. 

“The time to gift tchotchkes (objects that are just decorative and not functional) is long gone. People are more mindful today about giving gifts that grow, probably why plants are gradually becoming the first choice for both personal as well as corporate gifting. They grow with time, are always relevant, and help inculcate the habit of gardening in the receiver,” says Tripathi.

Privacy structures

This is much more than just bamboo fencing or vertical walls, says Khosla. This trend is all about well-thought out privacy structures that beautifully blends in with the rest of the space.

“Visualise adding privacy with textures of greens, sculptures and figurines or a simple curtain creeper layered with a flowering vine or a terracotta jaali with some foliage playing peek-a-boo. Your options are endless,” she mentions. 

Beginning the gardening journey 

For Khosla, venturing into gardening is all about starting small.

Instead of going for just ‘trendy’ plants, it’s a good idea to plan the kind of time one can devote to them, since certain varieties like orchids, ferns, and snake plants require more attention than others. 

“Apart from time, it is also recommended that you understand the amount of light that your space receives so that you can make an informed decision while picking plants,” she adds. Thus, before heading to the nursery, one must do their research so that they don’t feel overwhelmed or disappointed later. 

Additionally, Tripathi suggests: 

• Choose plants wisely: start with plants that are suitable for your local climate and environment.

• Opt for proper soil: whether it's well-draining soil for succulents or nutrient-rich soil for veggies, a good soil base is crucial. 

• Master watering habits: understand the watering needs of the plants; some need more water, while others prefer drier conditions. Avoid overwatering by monitoring the soil moisture.

• Personal attention matters: regularly checking plants for signs of health or stress. Adjust care routines based on how each plant is responding to its environment. Regular preventive pest control with neem oil is suggested.

• Experiment and learn: gardening is an evolving journey. One should not hesitate to try new things, learn from both successes and failures, and adapt their approach accordingly.

• Get gardening tools: one must acquire basic gardening tools like trowels, pruners, and watering cans to make gardening tasks easier and more enjoyable.

• Ask for guidance: a gardening enthusiast must seek advice from experienced gardeners, online communities, or experts with online gardening companies. 

“Lastly, enjoy the process and embrace the joy of gardening. Relax, connect with nature, and appreciate the growth and transformation of your plants. Gardening should be a pleasure, not a chore,” says Tripathi.