The Raat Ki Rani (Night Jasmine) Explained

The night-blooming jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum), known in Hindi as raat ki rani, meaning “queen of the night”, is an evergreen garden shrub whose small greenish-white flowers release an intense sweet perfume after dark. Despite its English name, raat ki rani is not a true jasmine: it belongs to the nightshade family, while true jasmines belong to the olive family.

The shrub is native to the Caribbean and Central America but has been grown in Indian gardens for generations, where it flowers in flushes through the warm months. Its fragrance is strong enough to carry across a compound at night, which makes it both loved and, for some people, overpowering.

Key Takeaways

• Raat ki rani is the Hindi name for the night-blooming jasmine, Cestrum nocturnum, a shrub of the nightshade family that is native to the Caribbean and Central America.
• The night-blooming jasmine is not a true jasmine, because true jasmines belong to the genus Jasminum in the olive family, while raat ki rani belongs to the genus Cestrum in the nightshade family.
• Raat ki rani flowers are small, tubular and greenish-white, and they release their strongest scent after sunset to attract night-flying moths.
• All parts of the raat ki rani plant are poisonous if eaten, and the small white berries are especially dangerous to children, pets and livestock.
• Raat ki rani grows easily from stem cuttings and thrives in warm, sunny or partly shaded sites with well-drained soil.
• Raat ki rani is often confused with rajnigandha (tuberose), harsingar (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis) and mogra (Jasminum sambac), which are different plants from different families.

What is raat ki rani?

Raat ki rani is an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub, scientifically named Cestrum nocturnum, that is grown in Indian gardens for the powerful night fragrance of its flowers. The Hindi name literally means queen of the night, and it refers to the way the scent builds up after dusk and fades by morning.

The plant grows as a bushy, somewhat sprawling shrub that usually reaches two to four metres in height. Its stems are slender and slightly arching, and its leaves are simple, oval to lance-shaped and glossy green. The flowers are produced in loose clusters at the leaf joints and at the tips of branches.

Each flower is a slim tube about two to two and a half centimetres long that opens into five small pointed lobes. The colour is a pale greenish-white or creamy-yellow, so the flowers look unremarkable by day. Their value is entirely in their scent, which is rich, sweet and spreads far in the still night air.

The fruit is a small, white to pale berry that ripens after flowering. The berries look harmless, but they are poisonous and should not be eaten.

Is raat ki rani a true jasmine?

No, raat ki rani is not a true jasmine, because it belongs to the genus Cestrum in the nightshade family (Solanaceae) and not to the genus Jasminum in the olive family (Oleaceae). The name night-blooming jasmine comes only from the similarity of its fragrance to that of jasmine flowers.

The difference is easy to see in the plant structure. True jasmines such as mogra (Jasminum sambac) and chameli (Jasminum grandiflorum) have flowers with a flared tube and typically five to nine petals, and they are used widely in garlands, perfume and tea. Raat ki rani flowers are narrow and tubular, and they are not used for garlands or food.

The relationship to tomato, potato, chilli and brinjal explains an important fact about the plant. Many members of the nightshade family contain bioactive chemicals called alkaloids, and some are poisonous. Raat ki rani is one of these, which is why gardeners are advised to keep it away from children and animals.

Other genera in the same family include tobacco (Nicotiana), datura and petunia, a reminder that the family contains both foods and powerful poisons.

Where does raat ki rani come from?

Raat ki rani comes from the West Indies and Central America, where it grows naturally in warm, open habitats, and it was carried to many warm countries as an ornamental shrub. It reached India as a garden plant and now grows widely in the warmer regions of the country.

The genus Cestrum has around two hundred species, almost all of them native to tropical and subtropical parts of the Americas. Several are grown in gardens, such as the red-flowered Cestrum elegans and the yellow-flowered day jessamine, Cestrum diurnum, which has a scent of its own in daytime. Raat ki rani is the species most valued in India for night fragrance.

In some countries, including parts of Australia and some Pacific islands, raat ki rani has escaped from gardens and become an invasive weed in disturbed land and forest edges. Birds spread the berries, and the plant forms dense thickets that shade out native plants. In India it is mostly a cultivated plant, but gardeners are encouraged to avoid planting it near natural forests and to remove seedlings that appear outside the garden.

Why does raat ki rani smell stronger at night?

Raat ki rani smells stronger at night because its flowers are adapted to attract night-flying moths, which are its main pollinators, and the plant releases most of its scent after sunset. The flowers open fully in the evening, and the fragrance peaks in the hours after dark.

Moths find flowers by scent rather than by colour, and pale tubular blooms that are easy to see in low light are typical of moth-pollinated plants. The long, narrow tube of the raat ki rani flower suits the long tongue of a hawk moth or similar insect, which reaches the nectar at the base.

The scent comes from a mixture of volatile compounds released from the petals. Warm, still and humid evenings carry the fragrance farthest, which is why a single shrub can perfume a courtyard on a summer night. In cool or windy weather the scent is weaker and fades faster.

By morning the flowers have usually closed or faded and the perfume has diminished. A few new flowers may open each day, and a shrub typically blooms heavily in flushes lasting several days, followed by a rest before the next round.

How do you grow raat ki rani?

Raat ki rani is grown easily from stem cuttings planted in well-drained soil in a sunny or lightly shaded spot, and it needs only moderate watering once established. The shrub is tolerant of ordinary garden soil, heat and some drought, which makes it one of the least demanding fragrant plants.

Light, soil and water

The plant flowers best with five or six hours of direct sun daily, though it tolerates light shade. A fertile, loose soil with good drainage suits it, and regular watering through the growing season keeps flushes of flowers coming. In very hot dry weather, deep watering once or twice a week is usually enough.

Propagation

Raat ki rani is propagated by semi-hardwood stem cuttings about fifteen to twenty centimetres long, which root readily in sand or garden soil during the warm, humid months. The plant can also be grown from seed, but cuttings are quicker and more reliable. Young plants establish within a few months.

Pruning and feeding

After a heavy flush of flowers, light pruning keeps the shrub compact and encourages new flowering shoots. Without pruning, the plant becomes tall and leggy. A balanced fertiliser or compost every month or two in the growing season supports growth and flowering.

Cold and container growing

The plant is frost-tender, and cold snaps can damage the shoots. In regions with cool winters, it may lose leaves and recover in spring. Raat ki rani also grows in large pots on terraces, where it can be moved away from windows if the scent is too strong.

Is raat ki rani poisonous?

Yes, raat ki rani is poisonous, and all parts of the plant, especially the berries and leaves, can cause harm if eaten. As a member of the nightshade family, the plant contains toxic compounds, and eating it can cause symptoms such as vomiting, drooling, dilated pupils and a rapid heartbeat.

The white berries are the greatest risk because small children may mistake them for edible fruit. Pets and farm animals can also be affected if they eat leaves or fruit. Gardeners are advised to plant raat ki rani out of the reach of children and not to grow it where livestock graze.

• Do not eat or taste any part of the plant.
• Wash hands after pruning, since the sap may irritate sensitive skin.
• Remove berries from low branches if small children play nearby.
• Seek medical or veterinary help at once if anyone or any animal eats the plant.

The scent itself is not poisonous, but a few people report headaches, nausea or breathing difficulty when exposed to the strong perfume in closed spaces. Asthma sufferers and people sensitive to strong smells are better off keeping the plant at a distance from bedrooms and living rooms.

How is raat ki rani different from rajnigandha, harsingar and mogra?

Raat ki rani differs from rajnigandha, harsingar and mogra in its botanical identity, its flower shape and its habit, even though all four are fragrant flowers associated with evenings in India. People often use the names loosely, so the same common name can be applied to different plants in different regions.

The English names add to the confusion. Night-blooming jasmine usually refers to Cestrum nocturnum, but the name night-flowering jasmine is used for harsingar, and queen of the night is also applied to a different plant, a night-blooming cactus. A scientific name is the only reliable way to tell the plants apart.

What is raat ki rani used for in Indian gardens?

Raat ki rani is used in Indian gardens as a fragrance shrub, a screening hedge and a background plant, planted near seating areas, courtyards and boundary walls where its evening scent can be enjoyed. The plant is valued more for its perfume than for any visual display.

• Fragrant garden shrub: Planted a few metres from verandas and sit-outs so that the scent drifts across the evening air.
• Hedge or screen: Its dense evergreen growth makes a loose hedge or a green backdrop for flowering beds.
• Container plant: Grown in large pots on terraces and balconies in cities.
• Wildlife garden plant: Attracts moths at night and small birds that visit the shrub for shelter.

The plant is not widely used in religious offerings, in garlands or in food, partly because the flowers are small and wilt quickly when picked, and partly because the plant is poisonous. In traditional medicine, reports of use exist for various Cestrum species, but safe, well-established medicinal uses are not recognised, and the plant should not be consumed.

Bottom Line

Raat ki rani, or the night-blooming jasmine, is a hardy nightshade shrub from the Caribbean that fills Indian evenings with fragrance. It is easy to grow from cuttings, but its poisonous berries and overpowering scent mean it deserves careful placement in the garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is raat ki rani in English?

Raat ki rani is the Hindi name for the night-blooming jasmine, Cestrum nocturnum. The name means queen of the night. It is a shrub of the nightshade family that releases a strong sweet scent after dark.

Is raat ki rani a jasmine?

No, raat ki rani is not a true jasmine. It belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae), while true jasmines belong to the olive family (Oleaceae). It is called a jasmine only because its night fragrance is similar.

When does raat ki rani bloom?

Raat ki rani blooms mainly in the warm months, from spring through the monsoon and into autumn, in repeated flushes. Each flower releases its strongest scent after sunset. In warm climates the plant may flower at other times of the year as well.

Is raat ki rani poisonous to humans and pets?

Yes, raat ki rani is poisonous, and all parts of the plant, especially the berries, can harm people and animals if eaten. It belongs to the nightshade family, which contains toxic alkaloids. It should be planted out of reach of children, pets and grazing livestock.

How do you grow raat ki rani from a cutting?

To grow raat ki rani from a cutting, take a semi-hardwood stem about fifteen to twenty centimetres long and plant it in moist, well-drained soil or sand. Keep it in bright light with partial shade until roots form. The cutting usually establishes within a few weeks to a few months in warm weather.

Why does raat ki rani smell only at night?

Raat ki rani smells strongest at night because its flowers are adapted to attract night-flying moths for pollination. The flowers open in the evening and release most of their perfume after dark. By morning the scent has faded.

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