The secret to adding lush charm

CURTAINS are fine, but have you ever tried swapping them for a wall of green creepers? Nothing beats the drama of plants spilling, climbing, and flowering around your home.

- Ekta Chaudhary

But here’s the golden rule before you get tempted: flowering creepers need sun — lots of it. If your balcony or wall gets no direct sun, you can still have creepers, but don’t expect blooms. For foliage creepers, bright, indirect light works, but flowers demand their daily dose of sunshine. Here are my tried-and-tested favourites, with tips to keep them lush and blooming.

CAT’S CLAW (MACFADYENA UNGUIS-CATI)

A rare find in Indian homes, but such a showstopper. With dense foliage and claw-like tendrils that grab onto walls, it creates a rich green curtain effect. WATERING: Moderate — twice a week is enough. SUNLIGHT: Bright indirect to full sun. SOIL & FERTILISER: Grows happily in well-draining garden soil. A monthly dose of balanced liquid fertiliser helps it stay dense. AESTHETIC TIP: Perfect for pergolas and balcony grills — it gives you privacy and a lush “living curtain.”

THUNBERGIA (SKY VINE)