Balcony gardening isn’t a fad, it has become a mainstream habit for many Indians in 2025. From apartment terraces in Mumbai to small verandahs in smaller towns, people are turning tiny outdoor spaces into food, flower and herb gardens. If you’ve wondered why so many friends, neighbours or influencers suddenly have green balconies, this post explains the big reasons and gives a simple, realistic starter plan you can use this weekend.
What’s actually changing
People are gardening because it’s practical (fresh herbs and veggies), affordable (small-scale inputs), calming (mental health), and social (you see it on reels and WhatsApp groups). Policy nudges and local programmes are also making gardening easier in some cities. Together, those forces pushed balcony gardening from “cute hobby” to “everyday thing” in 2025.
6 reasons balcony gardening took off in India
1) The post-pandemic habit stuck
During COVID people discovered how satisfying and practical growing even a few greens could be. Studies and reviews show home-gardening activity rose during the pandemic and many people kept gardening afterward. For many, it began as food security and became a lasting hobby.
2) Health, wellness and the calming effect of plants
Gardening reduces stress and gives a daily ‘win’, a short, proven mental-health benefit that fits busy urban lifestyle. That’s a strong pull for young professionals and families alike. Plus, people like fresh herbs for cooking.
3) Social media & short videos made it look easy and beautiful
Instagram and short-form video platforms turned tiny balcony makeovers into shareable content. Vertical gardens, smart planters and trending micro-greens are everywhere and people copy what they see. That visual momentum spreads fast.
4) Low-cost products and small packs made it doable
Small packs of seeds, potting mixes and starter kits (sold on marketplaces) mean you don’t need a big investment. Retail + e-commerce (including Amazon listings) made buying the right starter items simple and affordable. Biosar offers small trial packs on Amazon that are perfect for beginners.
5) City policy & local programs nudging green roofs and rooftops
Some city and state programmes are actively promoting rooftop and urban gardening (training, demo kits, free workshops), which helps normalise and support the hobby. These government initiatives remove friction for many newcomers.
6) Food prices, supply concerns and tiny acts of self-sufficiency
Rising food prices and interest in knowing what’s in your food make growing even a few herbs or salad greens attractive, you eat better and spend a little less on the things you use every day.
Who’s doing it and why it matters for Biosar
• Young professionals & families : For fresh herbs, a calming hobby, and a nice balcony backdrop for photos.
• Retirees & hobbyists: More time and interest in flowers, ornamentals and seasonal veggies.
• Students / single-person households : Micro-greens and herbs for low-effort food.
• Small restaurants / cafés : Grow high-freshness herbs on-site.
For Biosar, this is a great audience: Hobby gardeners want small packs (starter kits, potting mixes, micronutrients and pest-control for potted plants). We sell starter packs on Amazon and provide WhatsApp support for first-timers.
How to start a balcony garden this weekend in 5 easy steps
No fancy gear needed. Keep it small and test what works.
1. Pick 3 easy plants : Choice matters. Start with: basil (tulsi/Italian), coriander (cilantro), and a leafy green (spinach/saag or lettuce). These grow fast and reward you quickly.
2. Use a ready potting mix or a small potting kit : Don’t try to make perfect soil at first. Choose a light, well-draining mix (Biosar’s starter potting mix or similar). Small 1–2 kg packs are enough for a few pots.
3. Choose containers with drainage : Pots, recycled buckets, or fabric grow bags work. Drill or ensure holes so roots don’t sit in water.
4. Sow, water, and logs : Sow seeds at the recommended depth, water gently, and write down the sowing date. A notebook or a notes app is fine.
5. Watch and learn (10–14 days) : Seedlings will show if conditions suit them. Thin to 2–3 healthy seedlings per pot. If pests show up, send a photo in your gardening group or reach out to Biosar’s WhatsApp for quick tips.
Quick pro-tip : Start one pot as an experiment and one as your ‘produce’ pot. If one fails, you still have the other to learn from
Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
• Overwatering : Most balcony plants die from too much water. Let the top soil dry a bit between watering.
• Wrong soil : Heavy garden soil in pots will suffocate roots. Use potting mix.
• Starting too many varieties : Limit to 2–3 at first. Learn one season at a time.
• No drainage : Always make sure pots drain.
If you’re uncertain, take a photo and send it on WhatsApp. Quick troubleshooting is usually enough.
How Biosar helps beginner balcony gardeners
• Starter kits on Amazon : Potting mix, and simple care guides: low cost, low risk. The suitable options for this would be Biosar Hira and Biosar Cams.
• WhatsApp support : Send pictures, get quick, plain-language advice (suitable pack sizes, watering tips, pest fixes, etc).
• Short how-to videos : Step-by-step potting and sowing demos you can watch on your phone.
• Small trial packs : For nutrients and safe pest controls suited to potted plants. Test before committing to larger packs.
Why this trend is good for India
Balcony gardening taps into health, sustainability and cost-savings. It reconnects people to food and nature, creates micro-ecosystems in dense cities, and builds a community of casual growers who learn and share. For businesses like Biosar, it opens a friendly on-ramp to help people buy the right small packs, learn safe practices and grow confidence, one pot at a time.
References
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9242931/
• https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/10/12/1373
• https://www.urbanplant.in/a/blog/post/hot-urban-gardening-trends-2025-small-spaces-kitchen-herb-gardens?
srsltid=AfmBOoqFah9j9H20q5v1m4pyPRitD_OYODR9W3OvZf6x7lfoEP-bpY6v&
• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/govt-launches-vehicle-to-promote-rooftop-gardening/
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