Archive · 28 Nov 2025
Chennai Baker Turns City Into Garden
Shefalii Dadabhoy, a baker in Chennai, started a project to make her city more beautiful with sunflowers.
She began by planting sunflowers on her rooftop and soon shared seeds with others.
Now, many people, schools, and even a petrol pump are growing sunflowers.
These flowers bring happiness, attract bees and butterflies, and make the city greener.
Shefalii wants everyone in Chennai to enjoy the beauty and joy of sunflowers, turning the city into a garden.
She shares seeds and tips for free, and people are excited to join in.
It's a fun way to make the city a better place!
Shefalii Dadabhoy, a Chennai-based baker and urban gardener, initiated the #SunflowerCity movement to transform Chennai into India's first Sunflower City.
The project started with a rooftop garden experiment in 2024 and has since grown to include over 150 participants, including residents, schools, and offices.
Over 10,000 sunflower seeds have been distributed for free, with Shefalii personally growing over 5,000 sunflowers in three cycles.
Sunflowers are chosen for their ability to attract pollinators, boost biodiversity, and thrive in Chennai's climate, making them ideal for urban gardening.
The initiative has spread to various locations, including schools like KC High International and a petrol pump in Dindivanam, bringing joy and beauty to unexpected places.
- Who
- Shefalii Dadabhoy, a 51-year-old banker-turned-chef and urban gardener
- What
- A citywide initiative to turn Chennai into India's first Sunflower City by distributing sunflower seeds and promoting urban gardening
- When
- The initiative began in 2024 with a rooftop garden experiment
- Where
- Chennai, India, with participants from various locations including schools, offices, and petrol pumps
- Why
- To bring joy, boost biodiversity, and create a sense of community through urban greenery
- Name
- Shefalii Dadabhoy
- Age
- 51
- Occupation
- Banker-turned-chef, photographer, founder of 'Shefs' bakery
- Initiative
- #SunflowerCity
- Seeds Distributed
- 10,000
- Sunflowers Grown
- 5,000 in three cycles
- Participants
- 150+ residents, schools, and offices
- Climate Suitability
- Chennai's climate is ideal for sunflowers