Overview

Murraya paniculata is a plant with a bushy habit in the genus Murraya, part of the Rutaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Murraya paniculata grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates loam and sand soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H2. Suggested uses include houseplants and conservatory and greenhouse. It is native to Andaman Is., Assam, Bangladesh, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Cambodia, China South-Central, China Southeast, Christmas I., East Himalaya, Hainan, India, Jawa, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Maluku, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Philippines, Queensland, Solomon Is., Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Thailand, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Himalaya and Western Australia.

About

Murraya paniculata is an evergreen shrub or small tree valued for its fragrant white to cream flowers. It forms a well-branched, rounded habit and retains foliage year-round. In the UK it flowers from June to August. It is commonly grown under glass or kept as a container specimen in sheltered outdoor positions.

About the genus

Murraya is a genus of flowering plants in the citrus family, Rutaceae. It is distributed in Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. The center of diversity is in southern China and Southeast Asia.

Wikipedia contributors, "Murraya", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Murraya

In the garden

Murraya paniculata is an evergreen shrub or small tree native across South and Southeast Asia, extending into parts of Australasia and many Pacific islands. It is grown for its scented white to cream flowers, which appear in the UK between June and August, and for its year-round foliage. Plant it where it receives full sun or partial shade and where roots remain moist but well drained; suitable soils include loam or sand with an acid to neutral pH. Give a sheltered aspect — east-, west- or south-facing positions are appropriate — since the species is classed H2 (half-hardy). In practice, that means it fares best in frost-free locations or grown under glass or as a moveable container specimen that can be brought indoors for colder months. Its listed uses are primarily as a houseplant or for conservatory and greenhouse culture, but it can also be placed in a protected outdoor border or large pot on a sheltered patio. Positioning where the scented flowers can be appreciated — beside seating or close to a doorway — makes the most of its flowering season and compact form.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Murraya

Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil type

Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, West-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H2

Plant details

Murraya paniculata size, habit and characteristics

Habit

Bushy

Foliage

Evergreen

Suggested uses

Houseplants, Conservatory and greenhouse

Native to

Andaman Is., Assam, Bangladesh, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Cambodia, China South-Central, China Southeast, Christmas I., East Himalaya, Hainan, India, Jawa, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Maluku, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Philippines, Queensland, Solomon Is., Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Thailand, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Himalaya, Western Australia

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Murraya paniculata

Propagation

Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings

Pest resistance

Red spider mite, Scale insects, Mealy bug

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions