Plant lovers and gardeners in the city have a destination to spend a leisurely day. Spread over 15 acres of land, Green Mall in Shamukpota near Bakrahat, about 11km away from Kolkata by road, is a garden centre with a wide variety of plants, a store for all your essential and quirky gardening equipment and accessories, and more.
Established by gardening expert Dinesh Chandra Rawat, it claims to be India’s first garden centre, and has been a paradise for plant lovers and gardeners since its opening in 2007.
My Kolkata went exploring and here are the reasons why this should be on your must-visit list if you are into gardening.
Over 2,500 species of indoor and outdoor plants
Potted plants on display at Green Mall
Green Mall has a great collection of indoor and potted plants for balconies, rooftops, and living rooms. Some of the plants available are lucky bamboo, varieties of cacti and succulents, bonsai, air purifying plants, creepers, climbers and even a few aquatic plants.
For outdoor spaces, gardens and lawns, this nursery has a wide range of plants from flowering to fruit-bearing ones. Rare fruit plants like red water apple, Chinese guava, Thai black jamun, blackberry and dragon fruit plants can be found here. If you love flowers, see their rose, daliah, marigold and more flowering plants. All those looking to grow their favourite plants, they also have a selection of quality seeds for various flower, fruit and vegetable plants.
A Howarthia Cooperi in ceramic pot
Dinesh Rawat introduced over a 100 species of palms in India, including some rare species like Pelagodoxa and Carpoxylon. Some of these are available at Green Mall along with other sought after plants like sansevieria or snake plant. Sansevieria are known for their air purifying qualities and can be a great source of oxygen in your living room, dining room, bedroom or bathroom!
Those looking to build their own herb and kitchen gardens will also find a selection of plants here.
Beautiful ceramic pots and planters
Green Mall has a selection of pots and planters for various aesthetics
There is a separate section for ceramic pots and planters of various shapes and sizes, and made from different materials from ceramic to polymer, fibre glass and PVC. Whether your aesthetic is elegant or quirky, you’ll find something to decorate your home with and plant your favourite greens in from staid terracotta pots to ones in the shape of shoes, cars, fish, boats, kulhads, etc.
They also have a selection of ceramic vases and everything is extremely affordable with prices starting at Rs 70 for a cup-size pot.
You can also select a plant and ask them to put it in the planter of your choice.
A selection of garden furniture and accessories
Whether you have a terrace garden or an expansive backyard orchard, you'll probably find furniture to spruce up your space
Planning to spruce up your garden or terrace? From garden chairs to hammocks, Green Mall also has some great garden furniture. There are cast iron benches, stainless steel tables and chairs, glass-top tea tables, wooden table-chair sets, and more that can help you create that perfect cosy setting for your home.
If your project is a little more ambitious, they also have pergolas, gazebos, hammocks, garden umbrellas and garden swings. You can place an order and get it delivered to your home.
While nothing beats having real plants, sometimes fake foliage can help you create the perfect nook in your home, and the variety of artificial plants and flowers here that can easily deceive the eye will leave you amused.
Colourful pebbles on display
A fun way to accessorise your garden is with colourful pebbles and river boulders. From white river boulders to little onyx pebbles and seashells, their collection has you covered.
Get all important gardening equipment and fertilisers
Any good gardener knows the need for tools of the trade and good fertilisers. Green Mall stores all kinds of garden tools for grafting, digging, pruning, and shearing. If you are still figuring your way out and are confused about what tools to use, the staff at the garden centre are happy to guide you. Heavy machines for cutting grass, wheelbarrows, irrigation kits, garden rollers, pipes are also in store and home delivered. You can also get a sprinkler system installed with their help.
The staff and workers at Green Mall are happy to help out with suggestions and pointers
Along with many high quality fertilizers, compost and manures, the centre also stocks Dinesh Rawat’s special coco peat. The 100 per cent organic peat, with balanced pH levels, nutrients and microbes, has high water retention properties and provides proper aeration and drainage.
Don’t forget to pick up one of their handbooks or guide books when checking out.
Green Mall is also a great hangout
There are various little nooks all around the property to sit and relax
Gardening needs aside, Green Mall is also a great setting to just spend the day away from city bustle. There are various little seating areas or eco lounges set up all over the property in the midst of trees with birds and butterflies dancing around. Sit back and relax in a picturesque setting or make your way to the restaurant for some lip-smacking meals. There are kachoris, chhole-bhature and more along with some cha or coffee and they also serve a Maharaja vegetarian thali that has a spread of 11 dishes.
Travel details
- Green Mall is in Shamukpota near Bakrahat, about 11km away from Kolkata by road
- Buses, autos, and app-cabs are available to travel to and from the place. Once the Joka-Taratala metro service is serviceable, the nearest metro station will be Joka.
- If you would like to have the thali, please call and inform them a day in advance
