Plant Guide
Browse 165 edible and ornamental plants you can grow in the Philippines. Use the filters below to narrow your search.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Filipino home gardeners — covering everything from soil to seed sources.
Kangkong, Pechay, Kamote, Sitaw, and Luya are the easiest edible plants for Filipino beginners. They tolerate Philippine heat and humidity, can be grown in containers, and require minimal expertise. Kangkong and Kamote are especially forgiving — both can be propagated from market-bought stems or tubers.
Yes, balcony gardening is highly viable in Metro Manila. Start with leafy greens (Pechay, Kangkong, Alugbati), herbs (Luya, Tanglad), and dwarf fruiting plants (cherry tomato, calamansi). Use 5-15 gallon grow bags or pots with drainage holes. Most balconies get enough sun for partial-shade crops, and full-sun crops work on south-facing balconies with 6+ hours of direct light.
October to February (cool dry season) is ideal for leafy greens like Pechay, Mustasa, and lettuce. March to May (hot dry season) suits heat-loving fruiting crops like Ampalaya, Talong, and Sitaw. June to September (rainy season) is best for root crops like Kamote and Gabi, and for establishing fruit trees. Many crops can also be grown year-round in containers with the right placement.
Trusted seed sources include East-West Seed (mall outlets and online), Allied Botanical Corporation, Ramgo International, Manila Seedling Bank in Quezon City, and Cartimar Pet & Plant Center in Pasay. Online options like Lazada and Shopee carry many seed brands but check seller ratings. Some farmers' markets (Salcedo, Legazpi) also sell heirloom seeds.
A balanced container mix: 1 part garden soil, 1 part compost or vermicast, 1 part coco peat or coco coir for moisture retention, plus a handful of rice hull or perlite per pot for drainage. Avoid pure garden soil — it compacts and drains poorly in pots. Refresh the top 5cm of mix every 2-3 months with fresh compost.
For aphids, mealybugs, and whiteflies: spray 1 tsp dish soap + 1 tsp vegetable oil per liter of water weekly. For caterpillars: apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) — sold as Dipel or Thuricide. For fungal issues: 1 tbsp baking soda + 1 tsp soap per liter sprayed weekly. For fruit flies (common on ampalaya, guava): bag young fruits with newspaper or use methyl eugenol traps. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs by avoiding broad-spectrum pesticides.
Fruiting crops (Ampalaya, Talong, Sitaw, Tomato) need 6-8 hours of direct sun. Leafy greens (Pechay, Kangkong, Lettuce) tolerate 4-6 hours and can handle afternoon shade — actually preferred during hot summer months. Root crops (Kamote, Gabi) need 5-7 hours. Herbs and medicinal plants (Luya, Lagundi, Tanglad) typically thrive in 4-6 hours. Always observe your specific spot — Manila's afternoon sun (1-3pm) can scorch leaves.
Yes — leafy greens are the easiest hydroponic crops for Filipino home setups. Pechay, Kangkong, lettuce, and Mustasa thrive in simple Kratky (non-circulating) systems using mineral water bottles or plastic tubs. Use AB nutrient mix (Masterblend or Snow brand from local hydroponic shops). Avoid hydroponics for fruiting crops indoors unless you have grow lights — Manila's high humidity also favors fungal issues without good airflow.
Beyond the Plant Guide
Whether you're starting your first pot of Kangkong or planning a full edible garden — here's how Urban Goes Green supports Filipino urban growers.
Every guide covers 9 detailed sections: edibility and nutrition info, germination steps with timelines, planting instructions (spacing, depth, soil mix), propagation methods, care requirements (sunlight, watering, fertilizer, temperature), harvest timing and techniques, common pest and disease solutions, companion planting recommendations, and a set of frequently asked questions specific to that plant. Each section is written for Philippine conditions — not generic global advice.
Absolutely. While many tips reference Metro Manila conditions (heat, humidity, limited space), the core growing information applies nationwide. The plants in our database are commonly grown across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Altitude-specific notes (like cooler climates in Benguet or Bukidnon) are included where relevant. If you live in a rural area, you may have even better growing conditions than urban gardeners.
Yes! We're always expanding the database. If there's a plant you want us to add, email us at hello@urbangoesgreen.com with the plant name (common or Filipino name). We prioritize plants that are commonly grown in Philippine home gardens and have practical edible or medicinal value. Community requests help us decide what to add next.
We're currently focused on making high-quality, free gardening information accessible to every Filipino home gardener through this plant guide. For specific gardening questions, reach out through our contact page and we'll do our best to help. We're also exploring community workshops for barangay and school garden projects in Metro Manila — follow our social channels for announcements.
Use our filters above to narrow down container-friendly plants. Toggle "Container friendly only" and filter by your available sunlight level. For a small balcony with 4-6 hours of sun, start with Pechay, Kangkong, herbs (Tanglad, Luya), and leafy greens. For a rooftop with full sun, add fruiting crops like Ampalaya, Talong, and Sitaw. Each plant guide tells you the exact pot size, spacing, and growing conditions needed.
Start with three plants: Kangkong (grows in water or soil, harvest in 21 days), Pechay (container-ready, harvest in 30 days), and Calamansi (one-time planting, years of fruit). These three give you quick wins, teach you the basics of soil, water, and light, and cover leafy greens, vegetables, and fruit. Read each plant's full guide for step-by-step germination and care instructions tailored to Philippine conditions.
Yes — this plant guide is free to use for educational and community garden projects. Teachers, barangay garden coordinators, and 4-H club leaders are welcome to reference our guides for planning school vegetable gardens. Each plant's germination timeline and care schedule can help you build a planting calendar for the school year. If you need help planning a community project, get in touch through our contact page.
We regularly update plant information based on new growing techniques, community feedback, and seasonal observations. The database currently covers 100 plants across 7 categories — from common leafy vegetables like Pechay and Kangkong to medicinal plants like Lagundi and Yerba Buena. New plants and improved growing tips are added based on what Filipino gardeners are actually growing and asking about.