The jasmine called mogra (Jasminum sambac) is an intensely fragrant, white-flowered scrambling shrub of the olive family, grown across India for garlands, worship, perfume and hair adornment. Also known as Arabian jasmine or sambac jasmine, this is the common garland jasmine of Indian streets and temples, sold as strings of tight buds that open into sweet-scented white blooms by night.
It is easy to confuse true jasmines with other fragrant white flowers, because several plants share the name in everyday speech. This explainer covers what mogra is, how it differs from other jasmines and from night-blooming plants that only look similar, where and how it is grown, how its flowers are harvested and sold, and why it matters in Indian tradition.
Jasmine (Mogra) Quick Facts
| Scientific name | Jasminum sambac |
|---|---|
| Common Indian names | Mogra or motia (Hindi and Marathi), mallige (Kannada), malli or mulla (Tamil and Malayalam), gundumalli (Telugu), beli (Bengali) |
| Plant family | Oleaceae, the olive family, which also includes true jasmines, lilac and ash |
| Origin | Believed to be native to tropical South and Southeast Asia; widely cultivated in warm regions |
| Where grown in India | Tamil Nadu (the leading state), Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat |
| Plant type | Evergreen scrambling shrub or weak climber, one to three metres tall |
| Flowering season | Mainly the warm months, with a peak from spring through the rains |
| Part used | Flower buds and blooms, picked by hand |
| Main uses | Garlands and hair adornment, temple offerings, perfume, scented tea and attar |
| Notable fact | Mogra is the national flower of the Philippines, where it is called sampaguita |
Key Takeaways
- Mogra (Jasminum sambac) is a fragrant white-flowered shrub of the olive family, widely grown in India for garlands, worship and perfume.
- Tamil Nadu is the leading jasmine-growing state in India, and Madurai Malli, a mogra type, has been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
- Mogra buds are picked by hand before they open and release their strongest fragrance in the evening and night, once the petals unfurl.
- Night jasmine (raat ki rani) and parijat are not true jasmines, because they belong to different plant families from the Jasminum genus.
- Mogra is the national flower of the Philippines, where it is known as sampaguita, and it is used to scent jasmine tea in China.
- Jasmine flowers are fragile and wilt within a day, so growers pick them early and sell them quickly in local markets or send them to perfumery units.
What is jasmine (mogra)?
Mogra is the Hindi name for Jasminum sambac, a sweet-scented, white-flowered shrub that is the best-known garland jasmine of India. It belongs to the genus Jasminum, which contains several hundred species of shrubs and climbers in the olive family, Oleaceae. The plant is evergreen and has simple, oval, dark green leaves arranged in pairs on slender, hairy branches.
The flowers are white, usually five to nine-lobed in single forms and many-petalled in double forms, and they are borne in small clusters at the tips of the shoots. The buds are rounded and creamy, and the open flower fades to a pinkish tinge as it ages. Mogra is strongly scented, and its fragrance is one of the most recognisable in the subcontinent.
Names across India
The plant has many regional names. It is called mogra or motia in Hindi and Marathi, mallige in Kannada, malli in Tamil, mulla in Malayalam, gundumalli in Telugu and beli in Bengali. Names can overlap with other jasmines, so botanical identification matters when buyers or growers use these words.
Is mogra the same as other jasmines?
No, mogra is only one of several Indian jasmines, and each has its own flower shape, growing habit and common name. Indians commonly use the word jasmine for several different Jasminum species and, loosely, for a few unrelated plants.
| Common name | Scientific name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mogra, motia, mallige | Jasminum sambac | Round buds, evening fragrance, garland jasmine |
| Chameli | Jasminum grandiflorum | Spanish or royal jasmine; long tubular flowers with a pink-tinged back; important in perfumery |
| Juhi | Jasminum auriculatum | Small, sweet star-shaped flowers on a twining shrub |
| Kunda | Jasminum multiflorum | Star jasmine with small white flowers |
| Raat ki rani (night jasmine) | Cestrum nocturnum | Not a true jasmine; belongs to the nightshade family |
| Parijat, harsingar | Nyctanthes arbor-tristis | Not a true jasmine; sometimes called night-flowering jasmine |
The last two plants in the table are often called jasmine in casual speech but are not related to the Jasminum genus, which is why this article treats only true jasmines as jasmine.
Where is jasmine grown in India?
Jasmine is grown commercially in many Indian states, and Tamil Nadu is the country’s leading jasmine producer. Districts around Madurai, Dindigul, Theni, Coimbatore and Ramanathapuram have long been centres of cultivation, and Madurai is especially renowned for its jasmine market. The Madurai Malli has been recognised with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, which protects the name for flowers grown in the region.
Karnataka is another important producer, with towns such as Udupi and Hadagali associated with distinctive local jasmine types. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala also grow substantial quantities, mostly for garlands and temple use, while West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat grow jasmine for local markets and for the scent industry. The perfumery town of Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh is traditionally known for attars, including those made from jasmine and mogra.
Smaller home-garden plantings of mogra are found nearly everywhere in warm India, from city balconies to village courtyards.
What does a mogra plant look like and when does it bloom?
A mogra plant is a bushy, semi-climbing shrub with dark green, oval leaves and clusters of white flowers that bloom mostly from spring to the end of the rains. The plant usually grows to between one and three metres if left unpruned, and its slender stems may scramble over supports or fences. Leaves are about four to ten centimetres long and have a slightly leathery feel.
Forms and varieties
Mogra occurs in single and double forms and in several cultivated types selected for bud size, fragrance and yield. Gundumalli, a round-budded type grown in the south, and the ornamental double form often called Grand Duke of Tuscany are widely cited examples. Single forms usually have a stronger scent, while double forms have a fuller look and are favoured in the garland trade for their bulk.
Flowering
The plant flowers best in warmth and sunshine, and in many parts of India it blooms heavily from about March until the end of the monsoon, with some flowers in other months. Flowering slows in cooler winter weather, especially in the north, where plants may drop leaves in cold spells. Regular pruning and feeding help renew flowering shoots.
Why does jasmine smell so sweet at night?
Jasmine smells strongest at night because the flowers release their scent chemicals most heavily in the evening, when they open, attracting night-flying pollinators such as moths. Mogra buds are closed during the day, open as the light fades, and release a rich cloud of fragrance that peaks in the evening and persists through the night.
The scent is a blend of volatile compounds, including benzyl acetate, linalool, indole and others. Indole is present in small quantities and contributes a heavier, almost animal note that enhances the sweetness at the right concentration. Perfumers value this complexity, and no single compound reproduces the full smell of natural jasmine.
The bloom is short-lived. Once picked, the flower loses scent and softens within a day, which is why the garland trade moves so quickly from field to market.
How is jasmine cultivated?
Jasmine is cultivated by planting stem cuttings or layered shoots in well-drained soil under full sun, with regular watering, pruning and feeding. It is a long-lived perennial, and a good plantation can crop for many years once established.
Propagation and planting
Growers usually propagate mogra from stem cuttings or by layering, in which a branch is bent to the ground and allowed to root. Rooted plants are set out in prepared pits or rows at the start of the rainy season or in spring. Spacing is generous so that bushes have room to spread and so pickers can reach the branches.
Soil, water and light
- Soil: fertile, well-drained loam; waterlogged ground damages roots.
- Light: at least five to six hours of direct sun daily for good flowering.
- Water: regular irrigation in the dry season, with less watering in the cool months.
- Feeding: organic manure and balanced fertiliser, applied after pruning.
Pruning
Growers prune mogra hard once a year, usually in the cooler or early dry season, to remove old, weak and crowded stems and to stimulate vigorous new growth. Since flowers form on new shoots, pruning at the right time often increases the later flush. Pests such as bud worms and mites, and leaf diseases such as rust, are managed through sanitation and, when needed, sprays.
How are jasmine flowers harvested and sold?
Jasmine flowers are harvested by hand as unopened buds, usually in the early morning or late afternoon, and are sold fresh within hours. Pickers pluck only the buds that are full-sized but still closed. Because each plant carries buds at different stages, the same bushes are picked repeatedly through the season, making jasmine one of the more labour-intensive flower crops.
The buds are packed loosely in baskets or cloth and taken to nearby flower markets, where they are weighed and auctioned or sold by measure. In many towns, women thread the buds into strings using banana fibre or cotton thread, forming the gajra, malai or veni that are worn in the hair or offered at shrines. Flower prices are volatile, and they rise sharply around festivals and the wedding season because demand for garlands peaks then. Surplus flowers are sent to extraction units that make jasmine concrete and absolute for perfumery.
How is jasmine used in perfume, tea and worship?
Jasmine is used in garlands and religious offerings, in perfume and attar, and in scented tea. These uses span everyday life, commerce and ritual.
- Garlands and hair adornment: strings of mogra buds are worn by women in many parts of India, especially the south, and used to decorate homes, vehicles and weddings.
- Worship: jasmine flowers and garlands are offered to deities in many temples and household shrines.
- Perfume and attar: flowers are processed by solvent extraction to produce concrete and absolute, or distilled into attar over sandalwood oil in traditional units such as those at Kannauj.
- Jasmine tea: in China, green tea is repeatedly layered with fresh sambac flowers so that the leaves absorb their scent, and the flowers are then removed.
- Cosmetics and soaps: jasmine scent is a common ingredient in soaps, hair oils and incense.
It takes an enormous number of blossoms to yield a small quantity of absolute, which explains why true jasmine perfume ingredients are costly.
How does jasmine grow in a home garden or pot?
Mogra grows well in a home garden or a large pot in any warm, sunny spot, and it is among the most rewarding fragrant plants for Indian balconies. A container at least thirty centimetres wide with good drainage suits a young plant, and a bright location with several hours of direct sun encourages buds. In cities, many people train the shrub against a railing or a small trellis so that stems stay tidy and easy to pick.
Home growers water the plant regularly but allow the top layer of soil to dry slightly between waterings, since soggy roots cause leaf yellowing. A little compost or balanced fertiliser every month during the growing season supports flowering. Pruning after the main flush keeps the shrub compact. In cooler northern winters, potted mogra is best kept in a sheltered, bright place, because frost can damage the plant.
What is the cultural significance of jasmine in India?
Jasmine holds a respected place in Indian culture as a symbol of purity, beauty and festivity, and it appears across literature, ritual and daily dress. Tamil poetry from early times mentions malligai, and later literature in several languages describes jasmine in love scenes and garden settings. In the south, wearing jasmine in the hair is part of everyday and festive dress, and brides are traditionally decorated with long jasmine strings.
Jasmine is also a feature of religious ceremonies. Jasmine garlands are placed on idols, and the scent is considered auspicious. In some regions, the evening scent of mogra is associated with relaxation and romance.
Beyond India, Jasminum sambac is the national flower of the Philippines, known as sampaguita, and it is also associated with Indonesia, where it is called melati putih. This broad reach shows how widely the shrub travelled through Asian trade and culture.
Bottom Line
Mogra, or Jasminum sambac, is India’s classic garland jasmine, a warm-climate evergreen shrub whose white buds open into intensely sweet blooms at night. Tamil Nadu leads production, and the flowers support garlands, worship and perfume. True jasmines belong to the genus Jasminum, while night jasmine and parijat are unrelated plants with similar fragrance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mogra and how is it different from other jasmines?
Mogra is the Hindi name for Jasminum sambac, the round-budded garland jasmine of India. It differs from chameli (Jasminum grandiflorum), juhi (Jasminum auriculatum) and kunda (Jasminum multiflorum) in flower shape and growth habit. All are true jasmines, but each has its own look and common name.
Are night jasmine and parijat real jasmines?
No, night jasmine (raat ki rani) and parijat are not true jasmines. Night jasmine is Cestrum nocturnum, a member of the nightshade family, and parijat is Nyctanthes arbor-tristis. True jasmines belong to the genus Jasminum in the olive family.
Which state grows the most jasmine in India?
Tamil Nadu is the leading jasmine-growing state in India. Districts around Madurai, Dindigul and Coimbatore are major centres, and Madurai Malli carries a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala also grow large quantities.
Why does mogra smell stronger at night?
Mogra smells stronger at night because the flowers open in the evening and release most of their scent then. The fragrance attracts night-flying moths that pollinate the flowers. Buds picked in the day are usually closed and open in the hours after sunset.
How is jasmine grown at home?
Jasmine is grown at home from stem cuttings or layered shoots in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. It needs at least five to six hours of direct sun, regular watering and annual pruning. A large pot works well for balconies and small gardens.
How is jasmine turned into perfume?
Jasmine is turned into perfume by extracting the scent from fresh flowers with solvents to make concrete and absolute, or by distilling it into attar over sandalwood oil. Large quantities of flowers are needed for a small yield. This is why natural jasmine absolute is expensive.
{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@graph”:[{“@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What is mogra and how is it different from other jasmines?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Mogra is the Hindi name for Jasminum sambac, the round-budded garland jasmine of India. It differs from chameli (Jasminum grandiflorum), juhi (Jasminum auriculatum) and kunda (Jasminum multiflorum) in flower shape and growth habit. All are true jasmines, but each has its own look and common name.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Are night jasmine and parijat real jasmines?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”No, night jasmine (raat ki rani) and parijat are not true jasmines. Night jasmine is Cestrum nocturnum, a member of the nightshade family, and parijat is Nyctanthes arbor-tristis. True jasmines belong to the genus Jasminum in the olive family.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Which state grows the most jasmine in India?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Tamil Nadu is the leading jasmine-growing state in India. Districts around Madurai, Dindigul and Coimbatore are major centres, and Madurai Malli carries a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala also grow large quantities.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Why does mogra smell stronger at night?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Mogra smells stronger at night because the flowers open in the evening and release most of their scent then. The fragrance attracts night-flying moths that pollinate the flowers. Buds picked in the day are usually closed and open in the hours after sunset.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How is jasmine grown at home?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Jasmine is grown at home from stem cuttings or layered shoots in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. It needs at least five to six hours of direct sun, regular watering and annual pruning. A large pot works well for balconies and small gardens.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How is jasmine turned into perfume?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Jasmine is turned into perfume by extracting the scent from fresh flowers with solvents to make concrete and absolute, or by distilling it into attar over sandalwood oil. Large quantities of flowers are needed for a small yield. This is why natural jasmine absolute is expensive.”}}]}]}
