Orange Jasmine (Murraya paniculata) Plant: How to Grow and Care

Are you looking for a deliciously fragrant, showy evergreen shrub for your tropical garden? Orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata) has all these qualities and more. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to grow and care for this sweet-smelling shrub.

What Is An Orange Jasmine?

The orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata) is also known as the mock orange jasmine, orange jessamine, chalcas, or satinwood. This lovely tropical evergreen is an upright and rounded, but compact shrub of the Rutaceae family.

These plants are usually multi-stemmed but will sometimes grow as a small tree and can be trained to grow with a short single stem. (1)

The orange jasmine generally grows to 8-12ft (2.4-3.7m) high by 8-15ft (2.4-46m) wide, but in ideal conditions, this plant may grow as tall as 23ft (7m) in a tree form.

Orange jasmine is native to China, Taiwan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, and other countries of southeast Asia, as well as northern Australia. In its native range, this plant grows in rainforest and thickets (2)

This plant has beautiful glossy green leaves that are alternately arranged. If you look closely, you’ll notice that this plant actually has compound leaves, consisting of 9 or more leaflets, each measuring 1-4 inches long and ½ to 2 inches wide.

Orange Jasmine Flowers

Orange jasmine flowers are wonderfully fragrant and smell like orange blossoms. The flowers tend to smell most strongly in the evenings.

The flowers, which occur in terminal clusters, can be present all year round. Each flower measures about ⅞ inch (2.2cm )across and has 5, or sometimes 4, cream-white petals.

Small fleshy red fruits are produced after flowering, with each berry measuring up to about half an inch (13mm) in size.

How To Grow An Orange Jasmine Shrub

The best way to grow orange jasmine is from seed, sown in spring. It is also possible to grow this plant from semi-ripe cuttings taken in summer.

These plants can be grown in a variety of soil types, but well-drained, moderately moist soil with an acidic to neutral pH is definitely the best option. This plant will also grow best in a rich substrate with plenty of organic material. (3)

Although the species is said to have a high tolerance for drought, it should nevertheless be kept well watered in drier climates. It should also be remembered that plants grown in pots and containers will require more frequent watering because the soil drys out faster.

Being forest plants, orange jasmines are adapted to growth in the understory where they get partial or dappled sunlight. Recreate these conditions at home to get the most out of your plant.

These plants can be grown in USDA zones 9b -11, although they prefer warmer environments and will do better in zone 10 and 11. In those zones, they will be fast-growing when young, but slow down as they mature.

Care And Maintenance

This plant has a fast growth rate and may need to be pruned often when young if a neat hedge or rounded shape is desired. It is best to trim this plant lightly and after it has flowered.

If grown in nutrient-poor soil, or a container, feeding your orange jasmine with a good evergreen shrub fertilizer will help to keep it growing well.

These bushes are known to be relatively pest-resistant but they may be affected by nematodes, scales, sooty mold, and whiteflies.

Uses

Horticultural Uses

Orange jasmine has many uses in the garden. This plant can be sheared into a formal hedge or screen. Space your plants 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2m) apart for a neat and attractive hedge.

This plant will also make a handsome specimen tree if pruned and trained to grow with a single stem and upright form. The orange jasmine makes a fine indoor plant for containers, provided it is grown in a fairly sunny area in the home.

Human Uses

This bush has plenty of traditional medicinal uses including the treatment of stomach and abdominal pain, headaches, and diarrhea. This plant has also been used in traditional dishes in India and Malaysia. (2)

Wildlife Uses

The small red berries of this plant attract fruit-eating birds which distribute the seeds. The sweet-smelling flowers attract honey bees.

FAQs

Is orange jasmine poisonous?

No, this plant is not known to be toxic. Although it has limited food value, parts of this plant are used in some traditional Asian dishes in small amounts.

What does orange jasmine smell like?

The flowers of this plant have a wonderful smell, like orange blossoms. The crushed leaves of this plant also have a citrus aroma.

Are orange jasmine roots invasive?

Fortunately, the roots of this plant are not invasive and will not damage paving or raise the soil surface around the plant.

How tall does orange jasmine grow?

This plant reaches maximum heights of around 23ft(7m) but usually won’t grow taller than around 12ft (4m) in the garden.

Conclusion

The orange jasmine is a great plant for gardens in warm to tropical gardens, where it will produce attractive foliage, showy flowers, and sweet orange blossom fragrances. This plant has a variety of uses ranging from specimen planting to formal hedging. Be sure to consider this shrub for your next gardening project!

See more about genus Jasminum and jasmine flower meaning.

*image by [email protected]/depositphotos

References

References

Gilman, E. F. Murraya paniculata. Fact sheet fps-416. University of Florida Co-operative Extension Service.

http://hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/shrub_fact_sheets/murpana.pdf

Dosoky, N. S., Satyal, P., Setzer, W. N. & Gautam, T. P. Composition and Biological Activities of Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack Essential Oil from Nepal.

https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6320/3/1/7/pdf

Brickell, C. Encyclopedia of Plants & Flowers. American Horticultural Society.

How To Grow And Care for Orange Jasmine (Murraya paniculata)