A few flowers announce themselves quite like parijat. Also known as harsingar or night-flowering jasmine, it opens its star-shaped white blooms with bright orange centres after dusk and fills the air with a sweet fragrance, then drops them by morning. In the ground, it grows into a large shrub or small tree, which is why many people assume it can’t live on a balcony. With a big enough pot, plenty of sun and a little pruning, it can. Here’s a step-by-step guide to growing parijat in a container, even in a small space.
Start with a healthy sapling or cutting
Parijat can be grown from seed, but seeds are slow and germinate unreliably, and the plant may take several years to flower. A nursery sapling or a semi-hardwood stem cutting from a mature plant is a much better start, and plants raised this way often flower sooner. If you’re rooting a cutting, take a 6- to 8-inch piece, remove the lower leaves, and plant it in a moist, sandy mix kept in bright, indirect light until new growth appears.
Choose a large, sturdy pot with good drainage
Start with a pot at least 14 to 16 inches wide and deep, with several drainage holes, and move up to an 18- to 24-inch pot as the plant matures. A heavy terracotta or thick ceramic pot is better than a light plastic one because parijat gets top-heavy and balconies get windy. Keep a saucer or tray underneath, but empty it regularly so the roots never sit in water.
Give it as much sun as your balcony allows
Light is the biggest factor in whether parijat flowers. Aim for at least five to six hours of direct sunlight daily, and place the pot at the sunniest edge of the balcony. In deep shade the plant will survive but produce mostly leaves and few flowers. Because the blooms open at night and carry a strong scent, it’s worth placing the pot near where you sit in the evening.
Use a loose, well-draining soil mix
Parijat prefers loamy, well-draining soil that is neutral to slightly acidic. A good mix is about two parts garden soil, one part compost or vermicompost, and one part coarse sand or cocopeat. Heavy clay holds too much water and can lead to root rot, so keep the mix light and airy.
Water regularly, but let the top layer dry
During the growing season, water deeply whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry, which may be every day or two in peak summer. Cut back in winter, when growth slows and the soil stays damp longer. Both soggy roots and long dry spells cause flower buds to drop, so aim for steady moisture rather than extremes.
Feed lightly through the growing season
Every four to six weeks from spring through autumn, mix a handful of compost or vermicompost into the top layer of soil, or use a diluted liquid organic fertiliser. As buds start forming, a fertiliser slightly higher in potassium and phosphorus supports better flowering. Too much nitrogen mainly produces leaves at the expense of blooms.
Prune to keep it compact
This step makes parijat manageable on a small balcony. Once flowering finishes in late winter or early spring, cut the plant back by about a third and trim any leggy or crossing branches. This keeps it bushy and balcony-sized, and it encourages fresh growth that will carry next season’s flowers. Wear gloves while pruning, as the leaves are rough and sandpapery.
Disclaimer:
This article is intended for general informational purposes only. Growing conditions, flowering time, and plant size can vary depending on your local climate, balcony orientation, and the age and source of the plant. If you have pets or small children, keep in mind that parts of the plant may cause stomach upset if eaten. It’s advisable to consult a local nursery or horticulture expert for guidance tailored to your specific growing conditions.
