Kangana Ranaut is obsessed with kitchen gardening: 5 unique home gardening ideas to steal from the Bollywood actress-politician

For Kangana Ranaut, gardening appears to be more than just a way to add greenery around the home. The actor has spoken about her love for getting her hands dirty in the soil and has celebrated several occasions by planting trees and saplings. According to Femina, Kangana Ranaut was exploring short-term courses in organic agriculture to stay engaged during weekends. Her sister and manager, Rangoli Chandel, confirmed that Ranaut was enthusiastic about her new organic farm in Manali, making an agriculture course a natural next step. Ranaut had earlier told Femina that the sisters had started developing an organic fruit and vegetable garden and a horse stable in Manali, adding that they wanted to learn and practise farming skills during their breaks.

From creating a garden at her Mumbai home to planting trees at her Manali house, Ranaut's gardening journey offers a few simple ideas for anyone looking to make their own home greener.

Start with plants that have a personal connection

Ranaut has previously spoken about how her mother influenced her interest in gardening. In an interview reported by The Tribune, she said her mother maintained a kitchen garden where the family grew vegetables and apples. Ranaut also said she enjoyed having fresh vegetables and eventually developed her own love for gardening.


For a home garden, this is a useful starting point. Instead of choosing plants purely for their appearance, consider growing herbs, vegetables or flowers that remind you of home or that you genuinely enjoy using.

Make room for a kitchen garden

Ranaut's home garden has also included a kitchen-garden element. A Times of India report on celebrity gardening noted that her landscaping included plant screens as well as a kitchen garden component. The plant screen is for privacy. You can grow plants with great foliage, or scented and bright flowers like bougainvillaea. While it adds to the aesthetic appeal, it also offers privacy.

Meanwhile, for a kitchen garden, you do not need a huge backyard to recreate the idea. Keep it as simple as you can. Mint, coriander, chillies, curry leaves and other herbs can be grown in containers, making them suitable for balconies, terraces and smaller outdoor spaces.

Turn unused spaces into green corners

Ranaut's Mumbai home offers an interesting example of rethinking available space. Architectural Digest India reported that a swimming pool at her home was converted into a garden because she felt guilty about wasting so much water in Mumbai. The resulting garden brought more greenery into the home.

The takeaway for home gardeners is simple: look at unused corners differently. A balcony, terrace, courtyard or even a sunny window can become a plant-filled space.

Celebrate milestones by planting trees

For her 31st birthday, Ranaut reportedly planted 31 saplings around her Manali home and spent time landscaping the backyard. Hindustan Times reported that she chose a greener birthday celebration.

It is an easy idea to borrow. Planting a tree or flowering plant to mark a birthday, anniversary or new beginning can turn a personal milestone into something that keeps growing.

Make gardening part of your routine

Ranaut has described gardening as something she enjoys despite the physical effort involved. Speaking to The Tribune, she said she liked getting her hands and shoes dirty while digging soil and planting trees. She also described spending about an hour gardening as tiring but a stress buster.

That is perhaps the most practical lesson. A garden does not have to be a major project. Spending a little time regularly watering, pruning, repotting or planting can gradually transform even a modest outdoor space. Make sure to dig in your hands in the soil and connect with nature a bit.

Ranaut continues to promote planting trees

Her interest in planting has continued beyond her own gardens. In 2024, Times of India reported that Ranaut planted a tree in her courtyard and dedicated it to her mother. For home gardeners, her examples point towards a simple approach: start small, grow plants that have a purpose, make use of whatever space is available and turn gardening into a regular part of home life.