ATGLife Mates: Featuring Ritu Odayar

How did you start gardening?

Hi, I am Ritu Odayar , 24 years old. I have recently completed my Master of Science in Geography, and I am currently a student. I started gardening towards the end of 2023, during a time when I was going through mental stress and looking for something calming to include in my routine. I felt that spending time with plants might help me slow down and focus on something peaceful, so I decided to begin with just a few indoor plants. At that point, I didn’t have any big plans. I simply wanted to bring some greenery into my space and see how it made me feel. As I started caring for those plants, I realised how rewarding the process was. Watching new leaves grow and seeing the plants respond to care made me genuinely happy, and it became something I looked forward to every day. Gradually, my interest kept growing, and I started learning more about different types of plants and their needs.

Honestly, I never imagined that those few indoor plants would eventually lead me to expand so much. Over time, I began using my terrace space and slowly started adding more plants. I especially love growing flowering plants, and I also enjoy trying my hand at vegetables like tomatoes and chilies. Before I realised it, my terrace had transformed into a full garden.

What started as a small step to cope with stress has now become a meaningful passion. Gardening not only helped me during a difficult time, but it also taught me patience, consistency, and the joy of nurturing something and watching it grow.

What are some of your favourite plants to grow in the garden?

It’s quite difficult for me to pick favourites because every plant has its own special place in my garden. However, bougainvilleas are definitely at the top of my list. I have around 15 varieties, and seeing them bloom always makes me happy. If I had to choose just one, it would surely be bougainvillea.

I also love growing hibiscus and have six to seven varieties, along with roses. For indoor plants, I enjoy different types of pothos, Areca palm, jade plant, rubber plant, and crotons with green and yellow leaves. I’m also very fond of jasmine because of its beautiful fragrance, and I like growing allamanda as well.

I also grow lilies like Asiatic lilies and amaryllis, and in useful plants I enjoy growing curry leaves, neem, and green chilies. Each plant means something special to me, but bougainvillea will always remain my top favourite.

What are some of the plants that you have not had as much success with?

I’ve struggled with a few plants, especially in the beginning while learning. I didn’t have much success with some vegetable plants. I also lost my Madhukamini (Orange Jasmine / Murraya paniculata) more than once, and I’m still trying to figure out the right conditions for it.

I lost my Tecoma plant due to overwatering, and early on I did lose a few plants because I used to water them too frequently. That’s when I learned that it’s often better to slightly underwater than to overwater.I also lost a Dianthus plant, and my Marble Pothos didn’t survive the second time I grew it. Additionally, one of my marigold plants dried out after I accidentally left it in harsh sunlight for too long.These experiences helped me learn and improve my plant care routine.

Are there any new plants on your wish list?

Yes, I have quite a few plants on my wish list. I would really like to grow more green leafy vegetables and experiment with different edible plants. I also want to add a ZZ plant, calathea, philodendron, monstera, and adenium to my collection.

I’d also love to try different varieties of pothos, along with flowering plants like geranium and anthurium. I’m always excited to slowly expand my garden with new plants.

What would you like to say to our new gardeners?

My suggestion for new gardeners would be to start small and learn gradually. Don’t worry about making mistakes, because that’s how you actually learn gardening. One important thing I’ve learned is that under-watering is usually better than overwatering, as overwatering can quickly damage roots.

I would also suggest trying organic fertilizers that can easily be made at home, like banana peel fertiliser, onion peel water, and fermented curd water. These simple kitchen-based options work well and are budget-friendly. Gardening doesn’t have to be expensive, and using things already available at home can make the process both easy and sustainable.

Any gardening hack you want to share?

One simple gardening hack I follow is filling the bottom of my pots with dry leaves and vegetable peels, and then adding soil on top before planting. I’ve noticed that this helps improve soil texture and keeps the plants healthier for longer.

I also like to give newly repotted plants a light fungicide solution, which helps reduce transplant shock and prevents fungal issues. Additionally, I use humic acid occasionally, as it supports better root development and helps plants establish more quickly. These small steps have helped me reduce plant loss and improve growth.

Any particular Instagram account you follow for inspiration?

My sister has helped me a lot in my gardening journey, and she has been a big source of inspiration for me. Along with that, I follow a lot of gardening pages on Instagram and enjoy watching reels related to plants and gardening tips. It’s hard to pick just one, but I do like the account @haryali_by_cherie, which I follow for inspiration. I usually explore multiple pages and keep learning from different gardeners.