How to take care of a murraya plant (murraya paniculata)

Murraya paniculata, popularly known as orange jasmine or orange jessamine, is an endearing evergreen shrub with glossy dark green leaves typically favoured as a hedging plant. With twisting branches and a dense growth habit, the murraya can grow up to 7 metres but may be kept pruned to 1.5  metres tall and 1.5 metres wide for landscaping. The murraya’s appealing charm comes from its cream-coloured flowers that emit an orange blossom fragrance. 

 

A native to warmer climates such as Australia, South and Southeast Asia, murraya flowers bloom several times within a year but are more abundant during the spring and summer seasons. Its small red ornamental fruits attract pollinators such as birds, butterflies and bees that bring good benefits to a garden. 

 

The murraya has various ethnobotanical uses in Asia. As a medicinal herb, many Asian countries use this plant to treat skin irritation, stomachache, diarrhea, and dysentery. In Singapore, Murraya Paniculata is listed as a heritage tree. As a popular hedging plant in Australia, this hardy, drought-tolerant shrub is also used as garden dividers, decorative topiary, and filling the air with its pleasant citrus smell. Its other known uses are for toothache relief, aromatherapy and cosmetics. 

 

Murraya plant care is extremely easy to maintain. It is not a toxic nor an invasive plant. Just follow these simple guides and recommendations to help bring a healthier lush to your Murraya. 

 

Varieties, planting and pruning

 

The murraya can be planted in the ground for hedging or in a pot using the dwarf variety.  A dwarf variety is suitable for low hedges and decorative borders in your garden. It is also known as a flowering bonsai tree because of its size, which grows to around 60 cm and has smaller leaves than the Min-a-Min. Another dwarf variety such as the Min-a-Min, also called Dwarf Mock Orange, grows only up to 1 metre. 

 

While the murraya takes about three to four years to mature and reach its full height, it grows faster in the ground than in the pot. A 1 metre interval between each plant is required when making a hedge. When using a pot, it’s ideal to use a 300mm pot to plant your murraya so you don’t need to repot them every few months. Put holes at the bottom part to make sure that the soil is well-drained. 

 

Regularly pruning and trimming the shrubs, about twice a year, encourages the plants to produce more flowers. Furthermore, it allows more light and air in its dense foliage making it healthy. 

 

Water, Soil and fertilizer

 

Even as a hardy plant, the murraya needs water regularly during the summer season. However, overwatering might turn the leaves yellow or rot the roots because of too much moisture in the soil. Check the top 1-2 inches of the soil if it’s dry and start watering the plant deeply. Rainwater is also good because it has nitrogen, a macronutrient that plants need. Make sure that water is drained well from the ground to avoid root rot problems.

 

Another murraya plant care tip is to add a mixture of coco peat or organic compost into your normal garden soil. This helps keep the moisture in the roots of the plant. When murraya flower season begins, you can add bone meal powder, a fertiliser made of coarsely ground animal bones that is rich in phosphorus, for healthy buds and new leaves to grow healthy. Because it is heavily flowering, the shrubs need food to absorb the nutrients. Use organic fertilisers every three months by digging 2 inches of the topsoil and mixing it in then putting back the top layer before watering it. 

 

Light and temperature

 

The murraya can do well in direct sunlight. However, it still needs protection from the harsh sunlight. A shaded and sheltered location preferably beside a window or balcony where light can still enter can be a good spot. Without light, the flowers will not bloom and will shed their leaves. The ideal temperature for this hardy shrub is between 18 to 32 degrees celsius. It is sensitive to frost with a temperature below 4 degrees celsius. 

 

Diseases and pests

 

The murraya is vulnerable to aphids and bacterial infections such as the Yellow Dragon disease. Parasitic worms such as nematodes are also common pests. Use organic pesticides to remove the pests or discard the part of the plant that was contaminated to avoid further infestation or spreading of the disease. 

 

Spring Colours is a plant nursery located in Sydney’s Dural neighbourhood. With over 30 years of experience in garden landscaping and delivering high-quality plants to plant lovers at great prices, we are committed to making the world a greener place and adding new life to your home and garden.

Contact us to find out about our wholesale service delivery or visit our store in Dural to browse our collection of plants!