Orange jessamine (Murraya paniculata) is an evergreen fragrant-flowering plant in the Rutaceae family: characteristics and care guide

Qi Li Xiang is the common name for an evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Murraya in the Rutaceae family; its formal Chinese name is usually written as Jiu Li Xiang, and it is also known as Qian Li Xiang, Yue Ju and so on. Its name comes from its intense fragrance: when it blooms, the scent can drift very far, and people traditionally used distance to describe its floral fragrance. The plant has compact branches and leaves, and its glossy green foliage makes it a common courtyard flowering tree in southern regions.

Each year after the weather warms up, Qi Li Xiang successively produces small pure white flowers; the blooms are small but numerous and dense, and the fragrance is especially noticeable. After flowering it can also bear small oval fruits that turn from green to red as they ripen and remain on the plant for a long time, making it a plant suitable for both flower and fruit display. In warm-climate regions the flowering period can last for several months, and with proper care some plants can bloom multiple times in a year.

Qi Li Xiang prefers a warm, humid environment with plenty of sunlight, and is mainly distributed in warm-climate areas such as southern China and southwestern China, and also grows in parts of Southeast Asia. It is not cold-tolerant and is easily damaged by low temperatures, so in the north it is mostly grown in pots and must be moved indoors for warmth in winter. Loose, fertile soil with good drainage is best, and prolonged waterlogging is what it dislikes most.

In daily care, if light is insufficient, branches tend to become leggy and flowering decreases, so it should be placed in a sunny position as much as possible. Watering can follow the principle of watering when dry and letting it dry out between waterings; during the growing season, apply a light fertilizer as appropriate, and prune promptly after flowering to both maintain the plant's shape and encourage new shoots to sprout. Qi Li Xiang has a strong fragrance, and people also commonly grow it as a plant that helps repel mosquitoes; planting one in the courtyard allows you to enjoy it while also improving the smell of the environment. In addition, its branches are tolerant of pruning and easy to shape, making it a common material for bonsai.