Residential greening is a critical strategy for mitigating the negative impacts of urbanization on the environment, biodiversity, and human well-being. Proper plant species selection is essential for the success of residential greening projects, as it influences the ecological, aesthetic, and health outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive framework for selecting plant species for residential greening, considering environmental suitability, aesthetic values, maintenance requirements, and potential health effects. The plant’s adaptability to local climatic conditions, soil type, and water availability are key considerations. Aesthetic factors like plant form, texture, color, and seasonal interest should be balanced with maintenance needs, including pruning, fertilization, and pest control. Potential health concerns, like allergenic pollen or toxic properties, must also be evaluated while deploying residential greeneries. The guide emphasizes the importance of selecting native or well-adapted non-invasive species to support local biodiversity and minimize ecological disruption. Employing a systematic approach to plant selection for urban vegetation and residential greening initiatives can enhance the environmental, social, and health benefits. Plant species invasiveness is a critical global concern, with substantial ecological, economic, and social impacts that demand careful consideration in species selection and management. This method maximizes these advantages and promotes long-term sustainability and resilience against the challenges posed by climate change. This present review supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Society.

Rapid urbanization exacerbates the urban heat island effect, raising local temperatures and endangering residents’ health and well-being. The decreasing green spaces resulting from urbanization necessitate global action focused on reducing heat island intensity and addressing heat stress. Urban green infrastructure (UGI) offers solutions for enhanced comfort and reduced pollution through passive methods. Various large-scale UGI projects have been implemented to regulate temperature and improve air quality in urban areas. More research on smaller green spaces is essential to improve the microclimate in space-constrained urban cities. This experimental study examines the thermal effectiveness of potted plants located on balconies of a mid-rise residential building in Chennai, India. The study aims to enlighten balcony greening’s role in reducing heat stress by monitoring temperature and humidity indoors and outdoors, with and without potted plants at similar solar radiation. Potted plants significantly lowered indoor air and surface temperatures by about 3 °C. Thus, balconies offer untapped potential for green interventions that are often unnoticed in tropical climates like India. The challenges in the installation and maintenance of UGI hinder the widespread adoption of UGI even though UGI positively influences residential well-being. The significant findings benefit urban planners and architects, enlightening strategies to enhance urban thermal comfort and mitigate heat stress through small-scale and cost-effective green interventions. This research contributes to sustainable urban development in tropical climates, aligning with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDGs 3, 7, 11, 13, and 15.