Murraya Paniculata | Orange Jasmine | Kamini Plant Care

Murraya or Orange Jasmine is an easy-to-care hardy perennial fragrant flowering shrub native to southeast asia and Australia. It is an outdoor plant which likes direct sunlight, moist soil with regular watering

 

If you read this article completely,  you will be an expert in Murraya Paniculata plant care, how to grow and propagate, what Soil to use, Repotting, Pruning and how much Water, Sunlight and Fertilizer is needed. You will know the best and most recommended ways to care for your Murraya Paniculata plant.

Murraya Paniculata General Info

• Origin: South Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia
• Genus: Murraya
• Scientific Name: Murraya Paniculata
• Common Names: Orange jasmine, orange jessamine, mock orange, china box, Kamini (India), Marwa (Pakistan)
• 👪Family: Rutaceae
• 🌵Type: shrub with fragrant flowers
• 🌼Flowers: fragrant white flowers
• 🍃Leaf Colors: green
• 🌵Climate: hot
• 🌡️Temperature:  > 40 degrees Fahrenheit, Humidity > 50
• 🌼Growing season: Spring and Summer
• 💧Watering: Frequent, when 2-3 inch of topsoil is dry
• ☀️Light: Direct sun
• 🐛Pests: Ants
• ☠️Toxicity: not poisonous. 
• Propagation🌱: Stem cuttings in water or soil
• Height📏: upto 4 meters (13ft)
• Soil: Loamy, well-drained, moist

• Fertilizer: Once every 3-4 weeks during the growing season using fertilizer for evergreen plants. 

Plant Care Problems

 

How to water💧

Murraya needs frequent watering during the summers as it is kept in full sun. Water when the top 1 inch of the soil is completely dry.

 

The frequency of watering will depend on the intensity of the sun and humidity. If you live in a hot and dry climate, more frequent watering would be needed as you will see the top soil getting dry in just 1-2 days. During winters, you may notice the top 1 inch of the soil goes dry in 5-7 days so once a week would be enough.

 

Do not underwater Murraya as it will immediately start to burn the leaves if left underwatered.

Sunlight Requirements ☀️

Murraya is found in hot climates, and prefers direct sunlight, however partly shaded sunlight will be fine as well.

 

Note: Make sure you don’t keep the plant very close to the glass window, as it can intensify sun rays and burn the leaves. Too much direct sunlight will burn the leaves

Soil

Murraya Paniculata needs following properties in its soil

• well-draining soil
• rich soil
• Slightly moist at all times

Garden Soil + Coco Peat + Organic Compost 

Fertilizer

About 200gms of organic fertilizer during the summer season.

 

Phosphorus and potassium is needed for flowering so you can also provide some DAP 1 tsp and ½ tsp potassium. 

How to Prune✂️

Once the flowers have fallen off, perform a light prune. Light prune in Feb just before the growing season so that new branches emerge with flowers.

 

If Murraya is in a small pot, it easily becomes root bound and has to be repotted. In such cases, the roots may need some pruning.

How to Propagate🌱

1. Cut a 5-6 inch long stem of the Murraya Paniculata plant.
2. Remove any leaves at the bottom of the cutting
3. Place the cutting in water.
4. Once the roots have developed, transfer the plant into a new pot with soil.

Temperature and Humidity 🌡️

Since Murraya is a tropical plant, it likes hot and high temperatures. The minimum temperature at which Murraya can survive is more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Murraya prefers a Humidity level greater than 50%. Temperature should not be too cold: cannot survive in heavy frost and snow

How fast does Murraya Paniculata grow

Murraya grows fast when planted in the ground, compared to when planted in pots. Murraya grows fast when planted in the ground, compared to when planted in pots. Planting a small cutting takes almost 3-4 years for the plant to reach its maximum height. On average, murraya grows upto 25%-35% of its maximum height each year

 

Pests 🐛and Diseases🦠

Ants - because these fragrant flowers drip sweet liquid which attracts ants. You can spray some neem oil around the base. 

Murraya Paniculata Toxicity☠️

Murraya Paniculata is not a toxic plant. It comes from the same family as Citrus. 

Murraya not Flowering🌼

If your Murraya is not flowering, make sure to follow the following tips and see if you are missing something:

• Give abundant sunlight to Murraya plant
• Keep the soil moist at all times
• feed the plant with DAP 1 tsp and potassium ½ tsp
• Perform a light prune before the growing season so new branches emerge with new buds.