A few flowers announce themselves quite like parijat. Also known as harsingar or night-flowering jasmine, it opens its star-shaped white blooms with bright orange centres after dusk and fills the air with a sweet fragrance, then drops them by morning. In the ground, it grows into a large shrub or small tree, which is why many people assume it can’t live on a balcony. With a big enough pot, plenty of sun and a little pruning, it can. Here’s a step-by-step guide to growing parijat in a container, even in a small space.
Parijat prefers loamy, well-draining soil that is neutral to slightly acidic. A good mix is about two parts garden soil, one part compost or vermicompost, and one part coarse sand or cocopeat. Heavy clay holds too much water and can lead to root rot, so keep the mix light and airy. During the growing season, water deeply whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry, which may be every day or two in peak summer. Cut back in winter, when growth slows and the soil stays damp longer. Both soggy roots and long dry spells cause flower buds to drop, so aim for steady moisture rather than extremes. This step makes parijat manageable on a small balcony. Once flowering finishes in late winter or early spring, cut the plant back by about a third and trim any leggy or crossing branches. This keeps it bushy and balcony-sized, and it encourages fresh growth that will carry next season’s flowers. Wear gloves while pruning, as the leaves are rough and sandpapery.