Tabernaemontana divaricata - How to Propagate and Grow it

Tabernaemontana divaricata, popularly known as Crepe Jasmine, is an evergreen flowering shrub and a popular house plant. It is also known as the Tagar plant, East India Rosebay, Nero’s Crown, Moon Beam, Carnation of India and Chandni. The flower resembles a pinwheel, giving it the popular name, pinwheel flower. When its stems are broken, it oozes a milky fluid, hence, it is also called Milk Flower. The plant is found in India, China, Thailand, Japan and Myanmar. Tabernaemontana divaricata is an ornamental and useful medicinal plant.

Table of Contents

Key facts

Botanical Name	Tabernaemontana divaricata
Common Name	Crape (crepe) Jasmine, Pinwheel flower, Moonbeam, Carnation of India, Chandni, Tagar
Plant Family	Apocynaceae
Native	Southeast Asia
Plant Form	Shrub
Height	4-6 feet
Flower colour	White
Inflorescence	3-4 flowers share a single base
Flowering season	Flowers bloom irregularly throughout the year
Leaves	Large, glossy, dark green leaves
Sunlight	Full sun to partial sunlight
Soil	Well-drained, moist soil
Toxic	Parts of the plant can be poisonous if used incorrectly
Uses	Tabernaemontana divaricate can enhance the beauty of any garden. It is used in traditional medicines.

The waxy blossoms are white, with five petals in small clusters on the stem tip. On moonlit nights, the waxy petals make the flowers glow.

The plant has single and double-flowered forms. The flowers of the single form are unscented, however, the double-flowered variety has a mild fragrance.

Tabernaemontana divaricata sheds its leaves during the winter season. New growth starts as the soil becomes warmer during the spring and summer.

see all about: Chandni Flower

How to take care of Tabernaemontana divaricata

Sunlight

Tabernaemontana divaricata (Crepe Jasmin) can be cultivated in full sun to partial shade. When growing it indoors, ensure that you place it in a sunny spot to give it the required 6-7 hours of sunlight.

Soil

The plant prefers moist, well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. But once established, it may survive with little water. It thrives in acidic soil but fertilizer may be required for optimal results. Mulching the plant base will keep the soil moist and prevent it from drying out.

Water

Water the Tabernaemontana divaricata plant frequently as it likes moist soil. You may need to water the plant daily in the early stages and less once it takes roots, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Fertilizer

Like all flowering plants, Tabernaemontana divaricata needs phosphorus and nitrogen to ensure healthy and lush foliage. Use good quality vermicompost or the ones made from cow dung.

Pests

Tabernaemontana divaricata can be attacked by pests that eat the leaves and make holes in them. Look for such leaves and remove them. Spray the leaves with an organic pesticide of Neem oil.

How to propagate Tabernaemontana divaricata

You can propagate the plant from Tabernaemontana divaricata seeds, however, a faster way to grow new plants is from the cuttings. Take a 15 cm cutting from the top of the stem, cutting just below a leaf node. Remove the leaves from the lower part of the stem. Place it in moist soil. Place the pot in a plastic bag and tie the top to retain moisture, and keep it in a sunny spot. In around three weeks, the new plant would have established roots and show new leaf growth. Transfer it to a suitable container.

Tabernaemontana divaricata dwarf

Dwarf Tabernaemontana divaricata is a little shrub with a round shape and pinwheel flowers, reminiscent of gardenias. The shrub is common in India and grows to a height of 2 feet. It can also grow into a small tree with a thin, curved stem. When planted in containers, they can be made into bonsai through root pruning and branch pruning.

Uses of Tabernaemontana divaricata

Tabernaemontana divaricata is a common garden plant known for its delicate fragrance and lovely flowers. It is considered a sacred plant in India, especially in South India, and is used for worship. The wood is aromatic and is used as incense and perfume.

Medicinal use of Tabernaemontana divaricata

Tabernaemontana divaricata has several uses in medicine. In Ayurvedic medicine, the juice from the flower buds is mixed with oil and applied to the skin to treat inflammation. It is also used in dental care, for scabies, as cough medicine and for eye ailments. The flower is used to make various pharmaceutical products and medicines, including creams and lotions.

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FAQs

What is the common name of Tabernaemontana divaricata?

It is commonly called pinwheel flower, crepe jasmine, or East India rosebay (Chandni, Tagar or and Nandiyavatta in regional languages).

Is Tabernaemontana divaricata fragrant?

Tabernaemontana divaricata is an evergreen, round shrub with glossy, dark green leaves and waxy, white flowers. Its flower petals look like pinwheels and are fragrant, especially at night.

Is Tabernaemontana divaricata poisonous?

The roots, leaves and flowers are all used to treat snake and scorpion poisoning. However, all parts of the Tabernaemontana divaricata plant can be poisonous if used incorrectly. Non-medical uses include using wood as incense and perfume.

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Purnima Goswami Sharma

Purnima Goswami Sharma is a freelance writer based in Mumbai, who has been contributing to various newspapers, magazines and portals for the last two decades. Besides being a research writer for various TV shows, she has been a visiting faculty at SNDT for Communication Skills. She hold a master’s degree in English Literature from Mumbai University and a diploma in Communications and Journalism. She writes on diverse subjects like real estate, interiors, education, lifestyle, health, entertainment and environment.

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