Plant library · Hedges · Terrace · Miyawaki forest
Kamini (Orange jasmine)
Kamini is an evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy leaves and clusters of small white flowers with a strong, sweet scent, followed by red berries. It is native to India and South and Southeast Asia, takes clipping well, and makes a dense, fragrant hedge or screen. It grows well in large containers on terraces and fits the shrub layer of a Miyawaki forest. It is a relative of the curry leaf plant.
Murraya paniculata · Kamini · Madhukamini · Marchula · Orange jasmine · Mock orange
Size
Kept at 1–2.5 m as a hedge; 3–6 m if left unpruned
Growth
Moderate
Leaf
Evergreen
Sun
Full sun to partial shade; flowers most in sun
Water
Moderate; regular watering in summer, less in winter
Soil
Well-drained loam with organic matter; tends to yellow in very alkaline soil
01
How to recognise Kamini
Family Rutaceae
- aLeaves are pinnate, with three to nine glossy, dark green leaflets that are pointed at the tip.
- bFlowers are white, five-petalled and strongly fragrant, in clusters at the branch tips, often opening in flushes after rain or watering.
- cBerries are small, oval and orange-red when ripe.
- dBark is pale grey to whitish on older stems.
- eGrowth is dense and bushy, with many branches from low down.
- fOften confused with curry leaf (Murraya koenigii), which has more and smaller leaflets, a strong curry smell, and much less fragrant flowers.
02
Kamini (Orange jasmine) in your city
How it grows in each city we work in, and what we do differently there.
Suits Pune's climate and makes a good fragrant hedge in societies and bungalows. Flowers in flushes through the warm months.
Grows in Delhi but young plants can be damaged by frost in December–January. Water well in the 45°C summer and give terrace pots afternoon shade.
Grows well in the region. In black cotton soil we add compost and sand to the hedge trench so it drains after rain.
Frost can scorch leaves and shoots in December–January. Plant in a sheltered, sunny line and cover young hedges on the coldest nights.
Grows well in the warm, humid climate and tolerates some salt air. Plant in well-drained beds to avoid root rot in the monsoon.
The mild climate suits it well. Makes a dense fragrant screen that flowers in several flushes a year.
Handles the dry Deccan heat with regular watering. Mulch hedges to keep roots cool through April–May.
Grows with regular irrigation, but leaves can scorch in 45°C heat and hot winds. Afternoon shade helps container plants.
Kamini is a common garden shrub in Bengal. Keep beds raised and well drained for the monsoon.
03
Where it fits
- Fragrant clipped hedges and screens around lawns, seating and boundaries.
- Large containers on terraces and balconies, clipped as a shrub or small tree.
- Shrub layer of a Miyawaki forest, under the tree and sub-canopy species.
- Near entrances and windows where the scent can be enjoyed.
04
Care
- Clip hedges every four to six weeks in the growing season and less often in winter; it is slower than duranta, so light, regular trims work better than hard cuts.
- Water regularly in summer and let the topsoil dry a little between waterings in winter.
- Feed with compost before the monsoon; if leaves yellow between the veins, add a micronutrient mix containing iron.
- Keep container plants in pots with good drainage and top-dress with fresh mix each year.
- Leave some growth unclipped if you want flowers, since flowering happens at the branch tips.
05
Common problems
- Citrus psyllid — tiny insects on new shoots with curled leaves; kamini is a host of the psyllid that spreads citrus greening, so avoid planting it next to citrus orchards and treat infestations with neem oil.
- Scale insects and sooty mould — small bumps on stems and a black film on leaves; scrub off light infestations and use horticultural oil.
- Mealybugs — white cottony clusters in leaf joints; wash off with water and use neem oil or insecticidal soap.
- Yellowing leaves — chlorosis from alkaline soil or waterlogging; improve drainage, add compost and apply iron micronutrients if needed.
06
Questions
How often does kamini flower?
It flowers in several flushes through the warm months, often a few days after heavy rain or a deep watering. Heavily clipped hedges flower less.
Is kamini the same as curry leaf?
No, though they are close relatives. Curry leaf (Murraya koenigii) has more leaflets and a strong curry smell; kamini leaves are not used in cooking.
Can kamini be grown in a pot?
Yes. Use a container at least 45 cm deep with drainage holes, place it in sun or light shade, and feed it before the monsoon.
How fast does a kamini hedge grow?
At a moderate rate, slower than duranta. Plant closely, about 45–60 cm apart, for a hedge that closes in reasonable time.
Also used for hedges
Guides that mention Kamini (Orange jasmine)
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