Every profile on WhyOnPlanet covers what a plant is, how it is used, how to grow it in Indian conditions, and — for medicinal plants — the precautions you should know before using it. Choose a category below or search by common, Hindi or scientific name.
Showing 99 plants
All Plant Profiles
Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Ocimum tenuiflorum
Sacred herb of Ayurveda known for immunity, stress relief, and respiratory support.
Brahmi
Bacopa monnieri
Classical Ayurvedic brain tonic that enhances memory, focus, and calm.
Lemongrass
Cymbopogon citratus
Fragrant tropical grass used in cooking, teas, and aromatherapy for its calming citrus scent.
Peppermint
Mentha piperita
Cooling herb with menthol compounds — relieves headaches, digestive issues, and freshens breath.
Fenugreek (Methi)
Trigonella foenum-graecum
Bitter seed and leafy herb that regulates blood sugar, aids lactation, and improves digestion.
Coriander (Dhania)
Coriandrum sativum
Versatile culinary herb with cooling properties and digestive, anti-inflammatory benefits.
Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
Aromatic Mediterranean herb linked to improved memory, circulation, and hair growth.
Stevia
Stevia rebaudiana
Natural zero-calorie sweetener from South America — ideal for diabetics and weight management.
Curry Leaf
Murraya koenigii
Aromatic Indian herb that enhances flavour, supports digestion, and promotes healthy hair.
Kalmegh
Andrographis paniculata
The "King of Bitters" — a potent Ayurvedic herb for liver health and immunity.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Vibrant flowering shrub used for hair care, blood pressure, and as a vitamin-C-rich herbal tea.
Henna (Mehendi)
Lawsonia inermis
Ancient dye plant with cooling, antifungal, and hair-conditioning properties.
Night Jasmine (Parijat)
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis
Sacred fragrant shrub whose flowers bloom at night — used in Ayurveda for fever and arthritis.
Butterfly Pea (Aparajita)
Clitoria ternatea
Electric-blue flowered plant used in herbal teas, natural dyes, and nootropic remedies.
Ixora (Jungle Flame)
Ixora coccinea
Ornamental shrub used in Ayurveda for skin diseases, wound healing, and fever management.
Lantana
Lantana camara
Colourful flowering shrub with traditional uses for skin ailments, fever, and respiratory issues.
Periwinkle (Sadabahar)
Catharanthus roseus
Cheerful flowering shrub known for anti-diabetic properties and cancer-treatment compounds.
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea glabra
Spectacular thorny climber-shrub with vibrant bracts — also used for respiratory and skin conditions.
Duranta (Golden Dewdrop)
Duranta erecta
Ornamental shrub with small purple flowers and golden berries — used as hedge plant and in folk medicine.
Neem
Azadirachta indica
The village pharmacy of India — antimicrobial, antifungal, and purifying in nature.
Moringa (Drumstick Tree)
Moringa oleifera
Superfood tree packed with nutrients, vitamins, and medicinal compounds.
Banyan Tree
Ficus benghalensis
India's national tree — a sacred, long-lived giant with aerial roots used in traditional medicine.
Peepal (Sacred Fig)
Ficus religiosa
One of the world's most sacred trees — revered in Buddhism and Hinduism, rich in medicinal value.
Arjuna Tree
Terminalia arjuna
Ayurveda's premier cardiac tonic — the bark of the Arjuna tree supports heart health naturally.
Sandalwood (Chandan)
Santalum album
Precious fragrant wood prized for centuries in Ayurveda, perfumery, and spiritual practice.
Bael (Bilva)
Aegle marmelos
Sacred fruit tree of Shiva — bael fruit juice is a powerful remedy for gut health and diabetes.
Jamun (Indian Blackberry)
Syzygium cumini
Dark purple Indian fruit tree revered for its anti-diabetic seeds and antioxidant-rich berries.
Coconut Palm
Cocos nucifera
The tree of life — every part of the coconut palm has nutritional, medicinal, or practical use.
Ashoka Tree
Saraca asoca
Sacred tree of India — a key Ayurvedic remedy for women's reproductive health.
Mango Tree
Mangifera indica
The king of fruits — the mango tree offers delicious fruit plus medicinal bark, leaves, and seeds.
Giloy (Guduchi)
Tinospora cordifolia
Ayurvedic immunity herb known as Amrita — the divine nectar of life.
Shatavari
Asparagus racemosus
Premier women's tonic in Ayurveda for hormonal balance and reproductive health.
Betel Leaf (Paan)
Piper betle
Sacred creeper with antiseptic, digestive, and anti-inflammatory properties used across Asia.
Passion Flower
Passiflora incarnata
Stunning climbing vine used as a natural sedative for anxiety, insomnia, and nervous conditions.
Rangoon Creeper (Madhumalti)
Combretum indicum
Spectacular flowering climber with colour-changing blooms — used for digestive parasites and fevers.
Long Pepper (Pippali)
Piper longum
One of Trikatu — an Ayurvedic spice-climber that kindles digestive fire and clears the respiratory tract.
Gurmar (Gymnema)
Gymnema sylvestre
Woody climber whose leaves destroy the taste of sweetness — powerful anti-diabetic herb.
Jasmine (Climbing)
Jasminum officinale
Fragrant climbing jasmine cherished for aromatherapy, stress relief, and skin care benefits.
Grape Vine
Vitis vinifera
Ancient cultivated climber whose fruit, seeds, and leaves are packed with resveratrol and antioxidants.
Vanilla
Vanilla planifolia
World's most popular flavouring — an orchid climber with antioxidant and mood-lifting properties.
Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera
Powerful adaptogen that fights stress, boosts energy, and supports overall vitality.
Aloe Vera
Aloe barbadensis miller
Versatile succulent prized for skin healing, digestion, and hydration.
Vasaka (Malabar Nut)
Justicia adhatoda
Principal Ayurvedic herb for respiratory diseases — used for cough, asthma, and bronchitis.
Punarnava
Boerhavia diffusa
Rejuvenating Ayurvedic herb that regenerates the body — powerful for kidneys and liver.
Sarpagandha (Indian Snakeroot)
Rauvolfia serpentina
Source of reserpine — a critical Ayurvedic and pharmaceutical plant for high blood pressure.
Bhringraj
Eclipta prostrata
The ruler of hair herbs — restores colour, prevents loss, and nourishes the scalp and liver.
Mulethi (Liquorice)
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Naturally sweet Ayurvedic root that soothes the throat, supports the liver, and fights inflammation.
Kutki (Picrorhiza)
Picrorhiza kurroa
A powerful Himalayan herb revered as one of the best liver and immune-system tonics in Ayurveda.
Triphala (formula)
Terminalia chebula + T. bellerica + Phyllanthus emblica
Ayurveda's most celebrated compound formula — three fruits that cleanse, nourish, and rejuvenate.
Noni
Morinda citrifolia
Pacific island superfruit used traditionally for pain relief, immunity, and cancer prevention.
Turmeric
Curcuma longa
Golden spice with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Universal digestive and anti-inflammatory rhizome used across culinary and healing traditions.
Cardamom (Elaichi)
Elettaria cardamomum
Queen of spices — aromatic pods that aid digestion, freshen breath, and calm the mind.
Black Pepper
Piper nigrum
King of spices — piperine enhances nutrient absorption and has potent antioxidant properties.
Cinnamon (Dalchini)
Cinnamomum verum
Sweet warming bark spice with powerful blood sugar regulating and antimicrobial properties.
Cloves (Laung)
Syzygium aromaticum
Intensely aromatic flower buds with analgesic and antiseptic properties — a dental pain remedy.
Cumin (Jeera)
Cuminum cyminum
Essential Indian spice with powerful digestive, immunity-boosting, and iron-rich properties.
Carom Seeds (Ajwain)
Trachyspermum ammi
Pungent Indian spice with thymol compounds — outstanding for digestive complaints and respiratory issues.
Star Anise
Illicium verum
Star-shaped spice rich in shikimic acid — antiviral, antifungal, and digestive properties.
Mustard (Sarson)
Brassica juncea
Pungent seed and oil plant with remarkable anti-inflammatory, warming, and cancer-preventive properties.
Rose
Rosa indica
Queen of flowers — deeply fragrant and therapeutic, used in Ayurveda, cosmetics, and cuisine.
Marigold (Genda)
Tagetes erecta
Cheerful orange-yellow flower used in Ayurveda for wound healing, skin care, and as a natural pesticide.
Lotus
Nelumbo nucifera
India's national flower — sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism, with remarkable medicinal and spiritual value.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum morifolium
Beloved autumn flower used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for eye health and cooling.
Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii
Popular indoor plant known for air purification — removes benzene, formaldehyde, and CO₂ effectively.
Mogra (Arabian Jasmine)
Jasminum sambac
India's most beloved temple flower — used in garlands, essential oil, and traditional hair care.
Bird of Paradise
Strelitzia reginae
Dramatic tropical flower that mimics an exotic bird in flight — a statement plant for any space.
Adenium (Desert Rose)
Adenium obesum
Sculptural succulent shrub with stunning rose-like blooms — ideal for Indian climate gardens and pots.
Plumeria (Champa)
Plumeria rubra
Temple flower of India — waxy, fragrant blooms associated with devotion, and used in Ayurvedic oils.
Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
Phyllanthus emblica
Richest natural source of Vitamin C — a cornerstone of Ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy.
Banana
Musa acuminata
Most consumed fruit in the world — rich in potassium, B6, and prebiotic fibre for gut health.
Guava (Amrood)
Psidium guajava
Tropical superfruit with 4x the Vitamin C of oranges — leaves and bark are equally medicinal.
Papaya
Carica papaya
Tropical fruit tree with papain enzyme — a powerful digestive, anti-parasitic, and dengue aid.
Pomegranate (Anar)
Punica granatum
Ancient fruit of longevity — bursting with punicalagins and antioxidants for heart and skin health.
Lemon (Nimbu)
Citrus limon
Essential kitchen citrus with alkalising, immune-boosting, and digestive cleansing properties.
Jackfruit (Kathal)
Artocarpus heterophyllus
World's largest tree fruit — a plant-based meat alternative with significant nutritional benefits.
Chikoo (Sapota)
Manilkara zapota
Sweet caramel-flavoured tropical fruit rich in tannins, vitamins, and energy-giving natural sugars.
Fig (Anjeer)
Ficus carica
One of the oldest cultivated fruits — rich in fibre, calcium, iron, and digestive enzymes.
Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus
Cooling summer fruit that is 92% water — excellent for hydration, kidneys, and skin health.
Bitter Gourd (Karela)
Momordica charantia
Bitterest vegetable in nature — a top Ayurvedic remedy for diabetes, liver, and blood purification.
Ridge Gourd (Turai)
Luffa acutangula
Light, low-calorie vegetable with blood-purifying and skin-soothing properties in Ayurveda.
Bottle Gourd (Lauki)
Lagenaria siceraria
Cooling, light gourd that supports weight management, heart health, and stress reduction.
Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
Lycopene-rich fruit-vegetable that protects against cancer, heart disease, and skin damage.
Spinach (Palak)
Spinacia oleracea
Iron and magnesium-packed leafy green that supports blood health, bones, and eyesight.
Okra (Bhindi)
Abelmoschus esculentus
Mucilage-rich vegetable that soothes the gut, regulates blood sugar, and supports heart health.
Brinjal (Baingan / Eggplant)
Solanum melongena
Deep purple vegetable rich in nasunin — a potent antioxidant that protects brain cells.
Sweet Potato
Ipomoea batatas
Naturally sweet root vegetable rich in beta-carotene, fibre, and potassium — great for gut health.
Drumstick (Moringa pods)
Moringa oleifera
Nutrient-dense pods from the Moringa tree — used extensively in South Indian cooking and medicine.
Amaranth (Chauli/Rajgira)
Amaranthus tricolor
Ancient grain-leafy superfood that is gluten-free, protein-rich, and iron-dense.
Teak (Sagwan)
Tectona grandis
World-class tropical hardwood — extremely durable, water-resistant, and high-value timber tree.
Bamboo
Bambusoideae spp.
The green gold — world's fastest-growing plant and a sustainable alternative to wood and plastic.
Sal Tree
Shorea robusta
Sacred Indian tree of Buddha's birth — an economically vital timber and resin source.
Shisham (Indian Rosewood)
Dalbergia sissoo
Premium furniture-grade hardwood — one of India's most commercially important timber trees.
Mahogany
Swietenia mahagoni
Reddish-brown luxury timber prized worldwide for furniture making and fine woodwork.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus globulus
Fast-growing industrial tree — a key source of timber, paper pulp, and medicinal eucalyptol oil.
Rubber Tree
Hevea brasiliensis
Source of natural latex — the foundation of the global rubber industry and a valuable timber after tapping.
Silver Oak (Grevillea)
Grevillea robusta
Fast-growing shade and agroforestry tree valued for its silky timber and coffee-shade cultivation.
Casuarina (Whistling Pine)
Casuarina equisetifolia
Coastal nitrogen-fixing tree — a windbreak champion and source of dense firewood and charcoal.
Acacia (Babool)
Acacia nilotica
Hardy drought-resistant tree providing timber, gum arabic, tannin, and traditional dental care.