Is it a true jasmine?

No, it is in the Rutaceae family, not the Oleaceae family.

How often does it bloom?

It blooms intermittently throughout the year, especially after rain.

Plant guide

Orange Jessamine.

Murraya paniculata

Pronounced mur-RAY-uh pan-ik-yoo-LAY-tuh

Orange Jasmine — Photo by elawrey (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Orange Jessamine is a lovely evergreen shrub known for its glossy, dark green leaves and highly fragrant white flowers. It thrives in warm climates and often produces small, bright red berries after blooming. You will love how its sweet scent fills the air during the warmer months.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Evergreen shrub
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: bright-indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 3 to 4 meters
Growth rate: medium
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Intermittent throughout the year

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal overwatering or poor drainage. Regular pruning helps maintain a bushy shape and encourages more blooms.

Watering: Water when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Lightly trim after flowering to encourage a dense and compact habit.
Repotting: Repot in the spring if the roots have filled the current container.
Soil: Well draining, slightly acidic
Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.0
Temperature: 10 to 30°C
Humidity: 50 to 80%
Drought tolerance: moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 15 to 25 years.
Fragrance: strong
Deer and rabbits: moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface instead of soaking in.
Stunted growth despite regular feeding.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non toxic, though ingestion of large quantities of foliage is not recommended.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The small, bright red berries may look tempting to children but are not intended for consumption.
Contact allergens: Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from the sap.
Airborne allergens: The intense fragrance of the flowers can trigger sensitivities in those prone to hay fever or asthma.
Edibility: While the flowers are sometimes used to scent tea, the plant is not considered a food crop and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Glossy pinnate dark green leaves
Clusters of fragrant white flowers
Small bright red ornamental berries
Dense shrubby growth habit

Height: 2 to 4m
Spread: 1.5 to 3m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: white, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: red, Late summer to autumn

Common problems

Citrus psyllid — This insect is a primary vector for citrus greening disease.
Scale insects — These sap suckers appear as small bumps on stems and leaves.
Sooty mold — A black fungal growth often follows an infestation of sap sucking insects.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Move containers indoors before the first frost. Keep the plant in a bright, cool location and reduce watering significantly until spring.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is at least 12 inches wide.

Stem cuttings

Take a 4 to 6 inch cutting from semi hardwood growth.
Remove the lower leaves and dip the base in rooting hormone.
Place in a moist, well draining potting mix.
Cover with a plastic bag to maintain humidity until roots form.

Plant near seating areas to fully enjoy the evening fragrance.

Grows well with

Hibiscus — They share similar light and moisture requirements in tropical settings.
Gardenia — Both plants provide complementary white, fragrant flowers.

Keep away from

Citrus trees — Murraya can harbor pests and diseases that threaten citrus crops.

Similar species

Orange Jasmine — This is the curry leaf plant, which is closely related but has edible leaves.

Science

Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Murraya
Order: Sapindales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southern Asia and parts of Australia.
Conservation: It is considered invasive in some tropical regions where it escapes cultivation.

It thrives in forest edges and thickets where it can access dappled light.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, nesting cover
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths
Uses: ornamental hedge, fragrant garden specimen, topiary

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it a true jasmine?: No, it is in the Rutaceae family, not the Oleaceae family.
How often does it bloom?: It blooms intermittently throughout the year, especially after rain.

Where the name comes from

The name Murraya honors the Swedish botanist Johan Andreas Murray, while paniculata refers to the paniculate arrangement of the flowers.

Good to know

It is a member of the citrus family.
The common name orange jessamine comes from its scent.
It is often used as a bonsai subject.
The wood is very hard and sometimes used for tool handles.

Is your orange jessamine looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.