Seasonal Planting Calendar India – Complete Month-by-Month Guide 2026

Introduction

Timing is everything in gardening. Sowing the right seed at the right time — aligned with your local climate, season, and temperature — is the single most important factor in gardening success. India’s diverse climate zones mean that planting calendars vary significantly between Kerala’s tropical south and Delhi’s continental north. This comprehensive seasonal planting calendar covers all major Indian regions, with specific guidance for Kerala, South India, North India, and NRI gardeners in the Gulf and beyond.

India’s Gardening Seasons

Season	Months	Characteristics	Best Crops
Pre-Summer / Spring	Feb–Mar	Warming temperatures; dry	Warm-season vegetables, flowers
Summer	Apr–May	Hot and dry; 35–45°C	Heat-tolerant crops; gourds
Monsoon	Jun–Sep	Heavy rainfall; humid	Monsoon crops; root vegetables
Post-Monsoon	Oct–Nov	Moderate; cooling	Warm-season crops; flowers
Winter	Dec–Jan	Cool; 10–25°C	Cool-season vegetables; herbs

Month-by-Month Planting Calendar – All India

January

Vegetables: Radish, carrot, beetroot, spinach, peas, beans (North India), brinjal (South India), tomato (South India)

Herbs: Coriander, fenugreek, dill, parsley, ajwain

Flowers: Marigold (South India), cosmos, petunia, pansy, snapdragon, alyssum, dianthus

Notes: Peak cool season. Excellent for leafy greens and root vegetables across India. Sow warm-season crops indoors in North India for transplanting in March.

February

Vegetables: Tomato, chilli, brinjal (start indoors North India), bitter gourd, ridge gourd (South India), radish, carrot

Herbs: Coriander (last sowing before summer), fenugreek, basil (indoors), tulsi

Flowers: Marigold, zinnia (South India), sunflower, cosmos, petunia

Notes: Transition month. Last chance for cool-season crops in South India. Start warm-season crops indoors in North India.

March

Vegetables: Bitter gourd, ridge gourd, snake gourd, cowpea, okra, tomato (South India), chilli

Herbs: Basil, tulsi, lemongrass divisions

Flowers: Marigold, zinnia, sunflower, celosia, portulaca, vinca

Notes: Excellent warm-season sowing month. Transplant tomato and chilli seedlings outdoors in North India. Last cool-season crops finishing in North India.

April

Vegetables: Bitter gourd, ridge gourd, cowpea, okra, ginger (plant rhizomes), turmeric (plant rhizomes)

Herbs: Basil, tulsi, lemongrass

Flowers: Marigold, zinnia, sunflower, portulaca, vinca, celosia

Notes: Pre-monsoon planting. Plant ginger and turmeric rhizomes before monsoon onset. Heat-tolerant crops only in North India.

May

Vegetables: Ginger, turmeric, colocasia (Kerala), yam (Kerala), cowpea, amaranthus

Herbs: Tulsi, lemongrass, moringa

Flowers: Marigold (South India), portulaca, vinca

Notes: Peak summer. Focus on heat-tolerant and monsoon crops. Reduce gardening activity in North India during peak heat.

June

Vegetables: Colocasia, yam, ginger, turmeric, amaranthus, cowpea, moringa

Herbs: Tulsi, lemongrass, brahmi (Kerala)

Flowers: Marigold (sow for Onam – Kerala), celosia (sow for Onam)

Notes: Monsoon onset in Kerala and South India. Plant monsoon crops. Sow Onam flowers 6–8 weeks before Onam (August–September).

July

Vegetables: Amaranthus, cowpea, moringa, colocasia, bitter gourd (post-monsoon planting)

Herbs: Tulsi, lemongrass, brahmi

Flowers: Marigold (sow for Onam), zinnia (sow for Onam), vinca (sow for Onam)

Notes: Peak monsoon in Kerala. Focus on monsoon crops. Continue Onam flower sowings. Monsoon onset in North India.

August

Vegetables: Amaranthus, cowpea, tomato (start indoors for post-monsoon), brinjal (start indoors)

Herbs: Tulsi, lemongrass

Flowers: Marigold (Onam Pookalam – peak bloom), zinnia, celosia, vinca

Notes: Onam season (Kerala). Harvest Pookalam flowers. Start tomato and brinjal seedlings indoors for post-monsoon transplanting.

September

Vegetables: Tomato, brinjal, chilli (transplant post-monsoon), amaranthus, cowpea

Herbs: Tulsi, basil, lemongrass

Flowers: Marigold, zinnia, cosmos, celosia

Notes: Post-monsoon transition. Excellent planting season begins. Transplant tomato and brinjal seedlings. Monsoon retreating in South India.

October

Vegetables: Tomato, brinjal, chilli, bitter gourd, cowpea, radish (begin), carrot (begin)

Herbs: Coriander (first sowing of cool season), fenugreek, tulsi, basil

Flowers: Marigold, zinnia, cosmos, petunia, carnation (start indoors)

Notes: One of India’s best planting months. Excellent for warm-season vegetables and beginning cool-season crops. Northeast monsoon in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

November

Vegetables: Tomato, brinjal, chilli, radish, carrot, beetroot, spinach, peas (North India)

Herbs: Coriander, fenugreek, dill, parsley, ajwain

Flowers: Marigold, cosmos, petunia, pansy, snapdragon, carnation, alyssum

Notes: Cool season begins. Excellent for cool-season vegetables and flowers. One of India’s most productive gardening months.

December

Vegetables: Radish, carrot, beetroot, spinach, peas, beans, leafy greens

Herbs: Coriander, fenugreek, dill, parsley, chives

Flowers: Petunia, pansy, snapdragon, alyssum, dianthus, carnation

Notes: Peak cool season. Excellent for leafy greens, root vegetables, and cool-season flowers. Reduce watering frequency.

South India & Kerala Planting Calendar

Month	Vegetables	Herbs	Flowers
Jan–Feb	Tomato, brinjal, radish, carrot	Coriander, fenugreek	Marigold, cosmos, petunia
Feb–Mar	Bitter gourd, ridge gourd, cowpea, okra	Basil, tulsi	Marigold, zinnia, sunflower
Apr–May	Ginger, turmeric, colocasia, yam	Tulsi, lemongrass	Marigold, portulaca
Jun–Sep	Amaranthus, cowpea, moringa, colocasia	Tulsi, brahmi	Marigold (Onam), zinnia (Onam)
Oct–Nov	Tomato, brinjal, chilli, bitter gourd	Coriander, fenugreek, basil	Marigold, zinnia, cosmos
Nov–Feb	Radish, carrot, beetroot, spinach	Coriander, fenugreek, dill	Petunia, cosmos, carnation
Year-round	Amaranthus, Kanthari chilli, moringa	Tulsi, curry leaf, lemongrass	Marigold, vinca, portulaca

North India Planting Calendar

Month	Vegetables	Herbs	Flowers
Jan–Feb	Peas, spinach, radish, carrot (indoors: tomato, chilli)	Coriander, fenugreek, dill	Pansy, petunia, snapdragon
Mar–Apr	Tomato, chilli, brinjal (transplant), bitter gourd	Basil, tulsi	Marigold, zinnia, sunflower
May–Jun	Okra, cowpea, bitter gourd, ridge gourd	Tulsi, basil	Marigold, zinnia, portulaca
Jul–Aug	Amaranthus, cowpea, okra	Tulsi	Marigold, zinnia, celosia
Sep–Oct	Tomato, brinjal, chilli (second crop)	Coriander, fenugreek, basil	Marigold, cosmos, zinnia
Nov–Dec	Radish, carrot, beetroot, peas, spinach	Coriander, fenugreek, dill, parsley	Petunia, pansy, carnation, alyssum

Year-Round Crops for Indian Gardens

These crops grow year-round in South India and Kerala with minimal seasonal adjustment:

• Amaranthus (Cheera): Year-round leafy green in South India; harvest in 30–40 days
• Tulsi: Year-round herb; sacred and medicinal; perennial in South India
• Curry Leaf: Year-round perennial; essential South Indian kitchen plant
• Lemongrass: Year-round perennial; harvest continuously
• Kanthari Chilli: Year-round perennial in Kerala; essential kitchen plant
• Moringa: Year-round tree; harvest leaves and pods continuously
• Marigold: Year-round in South India; essential for festivals and Pookalam
• Microgreens: Year-round indoor crop; harvest in 5–14 days

NRI & Gulf Planting Calendar

Month	Gulf (UAE, Qatar, Oman)	UK & Europe	USA & Canada (Temperate)
Jan–Mar	Peak season: all vegetables & flowers	Indoors only: microgreens, herbs	Indoors: start seeds for spring
Apr–May	Transition: heat-tolerant only	Start outdoors: herbs, flowers	Outdoors: herbs, flowers, vegetables
Jun–Aug	Challenging: shade + daily watering	Peak outdoor season	Peak outdoor season
Sep–Oct	Second season begins	Wind down outdoor season	Fall crops: leafy greens, herbs
Nov–Dec	Peak season: all vegetables & flowers	Indoors only	Indoors: microgreens, herbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best month to start gardening in India?

October–November is the best time to start gardening across most of India — temperatures are moderate, soil is moist from monsoon, and a wide range of crops can be planted. February–March is the second-best time for warm-season crops. In Kerala, gardening is productive year-round.

When should I sow coriander in India?

Sow coriander October–February across India. Coriander bolts (goes to seed) quickly in heat — never sow in summer (March–September). In Kerala, sow November–February during the cooler months. Sow every 3–4 weeks for continuous supply throughout the cool season.

When should I plant tomatoes in India?

In South India and Kerala: plant tomatoes October–November (post-monsoon) and January–February (cool season). In North India: start seeds indoors January–February; transplant outdoors March–April; second crop September–October. Tomatoes need 25–30°C for best growth.

What can I grow in India during monsoon?

During India’s monsoon (June–September): amaranthus, cowpea, moringa, colocasia, yam, ginger, turmeric, and bitter gourd grow well. Avoid cool-season crops (coriander, radish, carrot) during monsoon — they fail in monsoon heat and humidity. In Kerala, amaranthus and cowpea are the most reliable monsoon crops.

When should I sow Onam flowers?

Sow marigold and zinnia 6–8 weeks before Onam (August–September). For Onam 2026, sow in late June to early July. Sow celosia and vinca 8–10 weeks before Onam. Stagger sowings every 2 weeks for continuous bloom through the 10-day Onam celebration.

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Disclaimer: Planting dates are approximate and based on typical Indian climate patterns. Actual planting times may vary by location, elevation, and year. Seeds are intended for home gardening purposes only.

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