Growing trees on a terrace is a great idea to add height and drama to your garden. Learn about these best trees for terrace garden in India!
1. Papaya
Not only Papaya is the total source of vitamin C but also contains carbohydrates, water, and some amount of fat. There are three sexes of papaya – Male produces only pollen, Female produces small, uneatable fruits and Hermaphrodite which can self-pollinate as it contains stamens and ovary. Always opt for hermaphrodite sapling (self-pollinate), which is easily available in the nursery near you.
Care and Growing
Soil should be rich in alluvial with excellent drainage. Also, it requires sunlight and periodic watering. Take care of this plant in the winter season.
2. Guava
This can be found throughout India, and some of the variants can be grown throughout the year on your terrace garden. It is full of vitamin C, calories, fiber, and healthy nutrients.
Care and Growing
It can be grown on every type of soil but recommended is sandy loam (6 to 7.5 pH factor) with extra fertility. Wide/broad pots are required to reap the fruits throughout the year. Initially, you have to water the plant regularly with the right mix of fertilizers and manure. Once the tree bears fruits, comparatively with lesser attention, expect ample fruits for more than 25 years.
3. Lemon
You can get various types but insist your nursery on those saplings, which fruit throughout the year. You can grow a dwarf lemon tree either in a big container or a raised bedding. Lemon is full of vitamin C, and its juice can be refreshing during the scorching summer heat. Do you know even the peel and leaves can be used in cooking?
Care and Growing
Sandy loam or loamy soil is recommended. Avoid using extra clay and salt. It requires adequate water during the initial period. Trim the overcrowding branches for better fruit quality.
4. Mango
The king of fruits and the national fruit of India, mango, can be grown on your terrace garden as well! The plant container should be bigger. In the beginning, it requires proper watering. Water clogging in the pots will rot the seed and young plant as well. This fruit is full of folate and vitamin C.
Care and Growing
Not only it grows on soils like alluvial and aerated but also flourishes well in lateritic, sandy loam, and well-drained soil. Taking care is not very difficult once the plant is matured. With edible preservatives, mango pulp and juice can be stored for more than a year.
5. Drumstick
Though on the ground, the height of this tree can be around 30-40 feet, the dwarf tree on the terrace can give drumsticks with lesser investment and efforts. The entire plant is highly nutritious. Its leaves contain pro-vitamin A, vitamin C, B & protein. Drumsticks are full of fiber, manganese, magnesium, and potassium.
Care and Growing
The pot should be big and requires loamy (a mixture of sand, silt & clay) soil.
With proper temperature, adequate water, nutrients, fertilizers, and sunlight, drumstick can be made available throughout the year. Bark eating caterpillar, green leaf caterpillar, and aphids are the main enemies of this tree. A minimal quantity of insecticides and pesticides can take care of these pests.
6. Pomegranate
Liked by almost all age groups, this Pomegranate requires extra attention to grow on the terrace. Grow them in a big container. Watering the plant should be twice a week. A raised bed will give better results if you have a big terrace. The seeds contain vitamin C, K, and folate. The pomegranate juice is an all-time favorite.
Care and Growing
Loamy soil with better drainage is preferred though pomegranate adjusts to different soil types.
This tree is susceptible to attacks by leaf-footed bugs and pomegranate butterflies. The water drainage should be perfect; the seeds and roots are prone to decay due to fungal infections.
7. Chiku
One of the most liked fruit in India can be made available throughout the year on the terrace garden. Chiku is lovely when ripen and offers plenty of health benefits. The Pulp is full of minerals. Unripe fruit will tend to make your mouth dry due to the presence of saponin.
Care and Growing
Medium black soil with deep alluvium and well-drained is the best soil. The soil should not hold the water during germination as it might rot the seed. This tree requires a warm climate. It can also grow well in sandy loam or clay loam without much fuss. During the initial period, extra care is required concerning the pest attacks. Even medium-sized pots will suffice to grow a dwarf tree.
8. Banana
India and China are the world’s largest producers of banana, and you can also grow it on your terrace. A large container or a pot will suffice to get a dwarf banana plant.
Care and Growing
The soil should be without compaction, well-drained, and acidic. The entire tree contains healing values. Salty soils are the worst enemies of this plant! Small or dwarf varieties should be chosen for better yield. Black Sigatoka, bacterial wilt, and soil fungus are common diseases, which can be controlled by spraying pesticides within limits.
9. Amla
One of the most demanded fruit trees in Ayurveda for its nutritious value. This spherical fruit can grow on a terrace garden without much effort in a big pot or a raised bed. The fruit is full of vitamin C and emblicanin (empowers its sour taste)
Care and Growing
Soil should be loamy, light-heavy blended with extra organic matter. Soil rich in clay and that fails to drain water should be avoided. During the early stages of growth, it requires adequate external support against strong winds.
Also Read: 20 Beautiful Terrace Garden Ideas
10. Custard Apple
This shapeless but juicy, aromatic, and delightful taste fruit can decorate your terrace garden. It is the least trouble giving tree with excellent results. Water management during its flowering season produces excellent yield.
Care and Growing
Almost all types of soils, including sand and shallow. Initially, it requires regular water. When the tree is matured, even less water can sustain its growth.
Best Ornamental Trees for Terrace Garden in India
Floriculture is one of the main branches of Horticulture, which covers the entire study of ornamental trees and plants. Embellishment or perfection beyond improvement to decorate the garden, home plants, landscaping, and income is the main reason for growing ornamental trees and plants. In today’s contemporary world, such trees are in very high demand.
1. Madhu Kamini
Also known as Murraya paniculta and Jasmine, it is always in high demand that can be effectively grown on the terrace. You can use this decorative tree on the fencing as well. Blessed with divine aroma and milky white color, this tree flowers throughout the year. It can grow in medium or big pots with an average height of around 7 meters.
Care and Growing
Acidic & loamy soil is suggested. But it can also germinate in clayey, alkaline, and sandy soil. This tree is susceptible to pests like sooty mold (grows on stems & leaves because of honeydew), nematodes (worm), whiteflies, and citrus psyllid. But regular spraying of insecticides and adequate watering will take care of these pests.
2. Kachnar
This flowering ornamental tree is also known as Mountain Ebony and Orchid Tree (though not belonging to Orchidaceae family), and Bauhinia variegata. You will require big containers to grow this tree as it averages around 334-40 feet. The flower is highly distinguishable with white or pink color and is 9-13 centimeters wide. This tree is deciduous (leaves shedding annually). The tree buds collected are extensively used as one of the favorite ingredients in many Indian recipes like curry, achaar (pickle).
Care and Growing
Raised beds on the rooftop garden and large containers can provide better yield. You can easily grow this tree in shallow, gravelly, loamy, or sandy loam soils that can be procured from the local nursery. The natural enemy of this tree is Psylla simlae. Also, an adult tree is the birthplace of various insect larvae that extract plant nutrition. Regular care with pesticides is recommended.
3. Indian Banyan
Also known as Ficus benghalensis can become part of your terrace garden with proper care. You can initiate the germination in a small pot but, in due course of time, put the plant into a bigger pot. This tree can grow in the shadowy part of the terrace. In India, it a widely popular indoor bonsai tree. Top trimming is recommended for terrace gardening that helps in height control & promotes lateral growth. Latex present in the tree might be allergic to some people.
Care and Growing
Not very fussy, it can grow in adequately moist but well-drained soil. The drainage should be up to the mark else water clotting will affect the leaves. In summer, it requires a moderate amount of water.
4. Hibiscus
Available in various varieties and colors like red, peach, orange, pink, purple, and yellow has a special place in India, especially in the Hindu religion. This flower enhances the beauty of the terrace garden and is very easy to grow in small pots or hanging pots. It flowers throughout the year. Depending on the species, hibiscus is used in industries like paper, rope, construction, beverage, medicine, food, etc. Regular watering with good drainage pots is a must for excellent growth. Hibiscus is prone to a mealybug attack that can be easily spotted being white in color. It will grow on stems and leaves, severely damaging the tree. But you can apply a correct pesticide that is available in the market. Cut short the infected part and spray water.
Care and Growing
Preferred soil is sandy loam and loam but should be moist and amply drained. Excessive sand should be mixed with nutritious organic manure. Undrained pots will lead to waterlogging and wet soil, which has to be avoided. Liquid fertilizer is better but does not use phosphorus. Trimming is done during the spring season.
5. Frangipani
This ornamental tree will enhance the entire layout with its alluring flowers & is also known as Plumeria worldwide and Champa in India. The intensity of aroma increases during the night. It is available in various colors like pink, yellow, red, and most of them are deciduous (shedding leaves). It can grow in small pots and planters. The tree requires a warm climate and ample sunlight. In the initial stages of growth, it requires additional external support. Taking care of the Champa tree is not very difficult. Avoid strong winds and excessive water. During its leaf shedding period, avoid watering the plant. Frangipani rust is a fungal disease affecting plant growth. The proper pesticide will control the same.
Care and Growing
It should be sandy and well-drained. Additional organic matter and compost mixed in the sandy type of soil are excellent for its growth. The roots are very loose and require a proper drainage system to avoid their damage.
6. Bougainvillea
One of the most loved ornamental vines found across India is also termed as Bouganvel. The height can grow from 3 to 40 feet depending on where you plant the tree. On the terrace, it can be grown in small-sized pots or containers. Growing in the hanging baskets enhances the look of a terrace garden. It can grow on fence lines as well! The main flower is white in color, but the group of three flowers is encompassed with six bright colored bracts. The bract colors are magenta, purple, orange, pink, yellow, or red, depending on Bougainvillea species.
Care and Growing
It requires well-drained soil and full sunlight for at least six hours; hence it is a total outdoor tree. Sand should be blended with vermiculite, perlite, and peat moss – slightly acidic for better growth. Adding limestone can control the pH (acid) factor in the soil. While watering, the top 2-4 inches of soil should be dry. Using fertilizers in a couple of months will keep the plant blooming.
7. Curry Tree
It is also termed as Kari Patta, Kadi Patta, Curry Leaf, etc., and is the native Indian plant. It can grow around 15 to 20 feet tall. Indian cooking is incomplete without curry leaves. It is very easy to grow on a terrace with hardly any nurturing. Medium-sized pots are required for its growth. It is suggested to put liquid fertilizer to get leafy produce.
Care and Growing
Regular soil blended with manure and compost is the basic requirement. Slightly acidic and well-drained soil enhances growth. In India, homemade buttermilk is mixed with water and poured into the soil, which acts as the most natural and easily available fertilizer. Soil tends to dry out faster during the Indian summer season; hence regular watering is recommended. But during other seasons watering the dry plant is suggested with reduced frequency.
8. Neem
The name is derived from Nimba – a Sanskrit word – the ancient Hindu language. The fruits of this tree are the major source of oil. This can be perfectly grown on the terrace as it consumes less water, and dry seeds can germinate indoors as well. The leaves act as insect-resistant hence can be kept in cupboards. Neem has very divine value amongst Hindus. An excellent Ayurveda herb is used for bathing as it has antifungal, antidiabetic, and antibacterial properties. The dried powdered neem seed acts as an insect repellent for crops, especially against aphids, whiteflies, fungus gnats, and mealybugs. One tree on the terrace can absorb major carbon-di-oxide from the adjacent area, thus purifying the air.
Care and Growing
Not very fussy about soil, it gives the best results in black cotton soil blended with well-drained soil. Regular soil like clayey, alkaline, and saline soil can also give a healthy Neem tree.
9. Ashoka Tree
Also known as Saraca Indica, Ashoka Tree can be grown on the terrace garden because the Indian climate favors its growth. Though its growth is slow, the entire structure is beautiful and green throughout the year. Partial shade or full sunlight is required. The peeled off bark has many medicinal properties to cure gyno issues. In the initial stages, you can grow them in small pots and transfer them into big containers once size increases. Taking care is not very difficult. But to get a better output, watering in the early morning is good for growth. After fertilizing the tree, do not forget to water the plant. It is one of the most demanded ornamental trees.
Care and Growing
Sandy, heavy that includes clay or loamy, can give a healthy plant. Soil should be well-drained but moist. In due course of time, organic manure will keep the plant healthy.
10. Magnolia
Very tough textured flowers with an appealing look can be grown on your terrace garden without much difficulty. Not only are the flowers used for their culinary properties, but they also have medical usage. Growing a tree in the pot is possible when the pot can hold additional water with sufficient depth for the roots. The periodic addition of compost and nutrients to the soil is recommended. Partial sunlight will suffice for the growth. Using fertilizers once a year is necessary. Trim the top leaves periodically. When the roots outrun the pot, it is recommended to transfer the tree into a bigger container.
Care and Growing
Not only acidic or neutral soils, but Magnolia can be grown efficiently in well-drained moist soil also! These trees can efficiently grow in loamy, clay, or sandy soil as well.
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Good read and information however some pictures would have been great to have.