Parijat (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis), known as Harsingar or Shiuli, is a much-loved small tree native to the Indian subcontinent and steeped in mythology. Its small star-shaped flowers have white petals and a striking orange-red tube, opening at night to release a sweet fragrance and carpeting the ground at dawn. The rough, dark-green leaves clothe a spreading, shrubby tree. Hardy and easy to grow across most of India, Parijat flowers profusely after the monsoon. The fallen flowers are used in worship, garlands and natural orange dye, while leaves are valued in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.
Specifications
| Family |
Oleaceae |
| Native region |
Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia |
| Mature height |
3-10 m |
| Mature spread |
2-4 m |
| Growth rate |
Moderate |
| Foliage |
Deciduous, rough dark-green leaves |
| Flower colour |
White petals with orange-red tube |
| Flower season |
Post-monsoon, autumn |
| Climate zone |
Tropical and subtropical |
Care guide
| Sunlight |
Full sun for best flowering. |
| Watering |
Moderate; water when topsoil dries. |
| Soil / mix |
Well-drained loamy soil; tolerates poor soils. |
| Temperature |
Thrives at 10-40°C; quite hardy. |
| Humidity |
Adapts to moderate humidity. |
| Fertilizer |
Compost and balanced NPK before flowering. |
| Pruning |
Prune after flowering to shape. |
| Repotting |
Repot young plants yearly; best in ground. |
| Propagation |
Seeds, cuttings and layering. |
| Pests & problems |
Generally pest-resistant; occasional scale. |
| Toxicity / safety |
Non-toxic; leaves used medicinally. |
| Difficulty |
Easy |
Uses
A sacred tree whose fragrant flowers are used in worship, garlands and as a natural orange dye. Leaves and flowers feature in Ayurvedic remedies.
Growing tips
Plant in full sun with good drainage; it flowers heavily after the monsoon across most Indian climates. It is hardy and needs little care once established.