The jasmines plants are loved for their fragrant flowers and their appearances that can vary from upright shrub to trailing vines. From over 200 species of jasmine, the crepe jasmine or Bonsai Chandni Plant is among the most adored ornamental shrub plants. It normally blooms during the night hence it is named the Chandni plant meaning moonlight in Hindi. It is also famous as Crepe jasmine is a gorgeous evergreen blooming shrub that adorns itself with small pinwheel-shaped flowers hence getting its another name, Pinwheel flower. Since the stems of the Milk Flower bleed milky fluid when they are broken, it is sometimes referred to as the Milk Flower. 

Its botanical name is Tabernaemontana Divaricata. A native to India, this plant is famous by other names like Tagar Tree, Tagar Plant, East India Rose Bay, Carnation of India, and more. It is found largely in eastern and southern states with humid and warm weather like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu, it is called ‘Nandiyavatti’.

This bonsai shrub welcomes spring and summer by decorating itself with a cluster of silky white flowers that contrast with its lustrous, dark green, pointed leaves glazed with a waxy coat. You can plant it in a container and perform root pruning and branch pruning and turn it into a bonsai plant. Their attractive and aesthetically pleasing colors, structure, and size make them popular hedge plants and house plants. Chandni plants do not attract animals, so you can safely plant them outside or on your balcony as a decorative plant.

Characteristics of Bonsai Chandni Plant

It seems as though the Crepe Jasmine blooms almost the entire year, and if you walk out right now, you will find them blooming once again. Chandni is highly sought after for its beauty, but it is of great importance in the medical field. It is used in the manufacture of  Ayurveda medicine — for dental caries, scabies, coughs, and eye ailments (like burning sensations). Its roots reduce stress and anxiety help in improving sleep as it has sedative and anxiolytic properties that are capable of relaxing the central nervous system. Due to its blood pressure-lowering property, Tagar helps regulate blood pressure by relaxing the smooth muscles and increasing blood flow. It also helps manage muscle pain due to its antispasmodic and analgesic properties.

Plant care

Crepe jasmines are not difficult to grow however, their care may require some effort, but the results are worth all the work. Here are some basic care tips to keep your Bonsai Chandni thriving.

Light

Chandni Plants are extremely fond of sunlight. While they thrive in full sun or partial shade conditions, they suffer from stunted growth when grown in full shade. It is advisable to keep them at a location where they are exposed to 6-7 hours of direct sun. 

Soil

These blooming shrubs can grow in any type of soil although it is best to plant them in well-draining soil as poor drainage can result in root rot. The best pH range of soil for the Chandni plant is between 4.6- 6.0. If you are growing them in containers, you can use a suitable potting mix for them that contains 30% cow dung compost and 70% garden soil. Alternatively, you can also put 20% sand in the potting mix but only after reducing 10% of garden soil.

Water

Being a tropical shrub, the Chandni plant has ample water requirements. It is best to keep the soil moist rather than soggy. You can water it regularly-weekly, or more often in case of extreme heat. However, just because the plant loves hot weather does not mean it is right to flush it with water. If it keeps standing in water for a long time, its roots will suffer rotting. Thus, always keep a monitor on your watering techniques.

The thumb rule to check if your plant needs to be watered is- dip a finger in the soil near the root, if it feels dry after an inch then, that is your cue to water the plant.

Temperature and Humidity

The Chandni plant is a perennial plant. Though, it grows actively from spring to fall. In India, they grow between March to October. 

As these are tropical shrubs, they enjoy a warm and humid climate. A location with well-circulating air works best for them. The best temperature range for them to thrive will be between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Fertilizing

Even though crepe jasmines thrive in any soil but they prefer acidic soil better. If your garden soil does not have an acidic range between 4.6-6.0 then you can always increase it by using any organic fertilizer.  However, occasional application of fertilizer will be necessary if the soil is very alkaline. Feed the plant once every month with a balanced natural fertilizer and watch it produce gorgeous fragrant flowers.

Propagation and Repotting of Chandni plant

Growing Bonsai Chandni plants from cuttings are very easy, once the cuttings are planted they start growing within 20-25 days. It is best to plant the cuttings in the rainy season or spring season. 

If you grow bonsai Chandni plants in a container they can become root-bound. For their optimized growth, it is important to check their root system once a year. If they have become root-bound then, root pruning plays a vital role to keep the plant thriving.

The Chandni plant can be grown into an ornamental bonsai plant and even into a tree if allowed to grow wildly. These perennial shrubby plants with their tiny, lovely flowers are capable of adding charm to your garden. Plant these magnificent beauties in your space and enjoy the forever aromatic and charming blooms.

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