If you are looking for a flowering plant that makes a distinctive addition for your garden then the Mogra flower plant is your best bet. Arabian jasmine or Mogra flower plants are evergreen tropical shrubs and vines. This evergreen blooming shrub is among the most loved plants in India. As it adorns itself with gorgeous white flowers with sweet fragrance oozing out of them. 

Despite being famous as Arabian jasmine, this plant is not Arabic originally. In fact, it is a native of the Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia. 

Its botanical name is Jasminum Sambac and it comes under the jasminum genus. 

Mogra or Motiya, as they are known in India, is a dual flowering type. Its dual or Tuscan flowers are known by various names, including rai and Boddu malle; the semidoubles are referred to as moturia, dondhara malle, etc. Flowering typically occurs at night (usually around 6 to 8 in the evenings), and closing occurs in the morning, a period of 12 to 20 hours, The fruit is a purple to black berry.

The Mogra flower has been a flower of huge importance in various traditions, cultures, and religions. Also, it has numerous uses in medical, beauty, and food industries. Among the many things you can make with jasminum sambac oil are perfumes, creams, shampoos, soaps, and incense. Several herbal and black teas are flavored with its flowers, including Jasmine tea. Indian garlands are made up of Jasmine flowers strung together.

The Mogra flower plant is a scrambling shrub that produces magnificently aromatic flowers throughout the year. Additionally, it symbolizes peace and purity. It comes in both upright shrubs as well as vining shrubs; it makes a great addition for any outdoor garden. You can plant it in a container or use it to cover a fence or railing. 

Importance and Uses of the Mogra Flower

Beside being a garden ornament, mogra flower holds so much importance in various regions around the globe. 

The Mogra flower is the national flower of the Philippines. There it is called sampagiuta (in Filipinos). There the garlands of this flower are used to bestow honor, accolade, or veneration. This flower is also one of three national flowers of Indonesia. There it is called Melati Putih. In Indonesian tradition, the mogra flower is considered very sacred as it symbolizes purity, sincerity, and graceful simplicity. In India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, the Mogra flower is one of the most commonly grown ornamentals. This flower is regarded as very sacred in Hinduism. It is used in decorations, meditation, worship, and more. As this plant is sacred to all of the Goddesses, often it is used in offerings in Hindu ceremonies. At Indian weddings, the brides often wreathe up their bun or braids with a garland made out of this flower. 

In Oman, Mogra flower features prominently on a child’s first birthday while in Bahrain, this flower is pinned along with a leaf of palm to commemorate the martyrs. In China, the Mogra flower is the key flavoring ingredient in jasmine tea. 

Apart from cultural importance, the Arabian jasmine has several medical uses. 

As a sedative, jasminum sambac has many chemical properties including antiseptic, anti-depressant,anti-spasmodic, expectorant, aphrodisiac, galactogogue, anti-spasmodic, and cicatrisant.

Among its uses are removing intestinal worms and treating venereal diseases, jaundice, and jaundice with the Jasminum sambac flower. Herbal extracts from the flower buds can be used against ulcers, boils, skin disorders, and eye disorders, while those from the leaves can alleviate breast swellings. Leaves of the plant have antiseptic properties and are useful in the treatment of wounds or acne when used as a poultice. Tea made from the plant has been shown to cure cancer. For centuries, the Chinese used dried flowers from Jasminum sambac to flavor jasmine tea, which was consumed with or after meals as a digestive aid.

Plant care

Light

The Mogra flower plants enjoy 3-6 hours of indirect light. It is best to keep them at a location that receives filtered sunlight. 

Soil

It is best to plant the Mogra in soil that is well-draining, fertile and rich in organic content. 

Water

The ideal amount of water for a flowering plant is moderate. When flowers are blooming, water is essential. If the plant experiences waterlogging, it may perish in no time. The plants will benefit from some rest if you stop watering them in November.

Temperature and Humidity

Being a tropical shrub, the Arabian Jasmine enjoys a warm and humid region. Keep them in a room that has a temperature range of 60-80 F and moist air. To maintain a humid environment around the plant, you can try various artificial methods to increase the humidity around them. For example, adding a humidifier, placing it with other houseplants, or growing it in a pot and then placing it in a tray filled with pebbles.

Fertilizer

Providing your Mogra plant with insufficient fertilizer is the primary cause of the plant not growing properly. It is recommended that you feed it every 20-25 days with organic fertilizer during its active growth season (spring & summer). 

Potting mix for Mogra

In order for the Mogra flower plant to thrive, it needs a growing medium that is rich in nutrients and well-drained. 

The drainage holes in a well-draining medium enable excess water to pass quickly through and prevent the plants from becoming overwatered. 

Surely you understand by now that a mogra plant cannot sit in standing water. To ensure that your plants have good drainage capacity, you should always use potting soil that has appropriate drainage. 

Additionally, the potting mix needs to be high in nutrition in order to provide the plant with enough food for it to bear flowers

Propagation and Plantation

Mogra plants are propagated by cuttings taken from the mature wood of an old mogra plant. Once the cuttings have been raised in a nursery bed, they are grafted into new plants. Within a year, these are planted into pots. Alternatively, plants may be propagated through layering, but in most cases, ground layering is preferred. Propagation is most effective when done during the rainy season, regardless of the method chosen. Root division during repotting is one option for propagating mogra plants. It is uncommon to see seeds used for propagation in the mogra background.

When Mogra is planted, it can remain in the field for up to ten years. To accomplish this, you need to plow your land deeply and then prepare it properly by harrowing and plowing. You have to plant Mogra in rows about a meter apart when you plant it in the ground.  

Why is my Mogra plant not flowering?

There are two possible factors behind your mogra not blooming. Either it is not receiving enough sunlight to produce flowers or it is not being fed with enough fertilizers. Thus, ensure these two key factors when you notice that your Mogra is not producing blossoms as usual. 

With little care you can always enjoy the charmingly fragrant blooms of these white wonders in your garden all-year long. 

If you are looking for some bewitching blossoms like Mogra then, head over to www.viverogarden.com and find your favorite houseplant in our curated collection and order from there!