Name: Sri Lankan Jasmine (Wrightia Antidysenterica)
Brand: Jennita
SKU: SRIJAS
Price: 499.00 INR
Availability: OutOfStock

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Sri Lankan Jasmine (Wrightia Antidysenterica)

₹ 499.00

₹ 999.00 ₹ 499.00

When the Sri Lankan Jasmine (Wrightia antidysenterica) is in full bloom, it earns every one of its common names — Snowflake, Milky Way, Arctic Snow. The compact, bushy shrub covers itself so completely in pure white, five-petalled star flowers that the green leaves beneath almost disappear. It blooms not once a season but continuously, year-round in India's tropical climate, pausing only briefly between flush cycles. Each flower is 2.5–3.5 cm across, white with a small frilled corona at the centre, arranged in loose clusters at the branch tips — and the whole display attracts butterflies in numbers that make it one of the finest pollinator plants for Indian gardens. The name tells an older story: Wrightia honours William Wright, the 18th-century Scottish physician-botanist; antidysenterica records the plant's historical use against dysentery — its bark a remedy in traditional medicine across South Asia for centuries. A plant with a past, and one of the most rewarding flowering shrubs for any Indian garden, balcony, or terrace.

💡 Prune After Every Flush — The Single Most Important Care Rule The Sri Lankan Jasmine flowers at the tips of new growth. Once a flowering flush ends and petals drop, those branch tips are spent — new blooms will not come from the same tips again. Light pruning after each flush, cutting just behind the spent flower clusters, forces the plant to branch outward and produce multiple new growing tips — each of which will carry the next flush of flowers. Without this pruning, the plant becomes leggy and blooming slows significantly. With it, the plant stays compact, bushy, and almost perpetually in flower.

🦋 Butterfly Magnet — Outstanding Pollinator Value The Sri Lankan Jasmine is among the most effective butterfly-attracting plants for Indian gardens. The white star flowers — accessible, open, and produced in continuous abundance — draw a wide range of butterfly species throughout the year. In tropical Indian conditions, a well-established plant in full sun can be visibly active with butterflies at almost any time of day. An excellent choice for dedicated pollinator gardens, school gardens, or any terrace where wildlife activity is welcome.

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Light

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Full sun — at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily is essential for continuous, abundant flowering. A south or west-facing open garden position, balcony, or terrace is ideal. The plant tolerates partial shade but flowering reduces noticeably — in deep shade it blooms rarely and growth becomes sparse and leggy. This is not an indoor plant; it is an outdoor sun plant that happens to suit containers beautifully on a bright terrace.

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Watering

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Water deeply 2–3 times a week in summer; reduce to once or twice a week in cooler months. Allow the top 2–3 cm of soil to dry between waterings — consistently moist but never waterlogged. In India's monsoon season, established garden plants need little to no supplemental watering; ensure drainage is excellent to prevent root rot from sustained heavy rain. Container plants need more frequent watering than in-ground plants in hot weather — check daily during peak summer.

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Humidity

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Naturally suited to India's tropical humidity — no supplemental humidity required. Thrives equally well in humid coastal conditions and the drier climates of central and northern India. One of the most climatically adaptable flowering shrubs for the subcontinent. Ensure good air circulation around the plant to prevent fungal issues in very humid conditions.

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Growing Media

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Well-draining, fertile loamy soil — standard garden soil amended with compost and coarse sand or perlite for improved drainage. pH 6.0–7.5. For containers, a quality potting mix with 20–30% perlite is excellent. Plant 3–4 feet apart for hedges. Repot container plants every 2 years in spring, moving up one pot size. Mulch the base of in-ground plants during summer to retain moisture and keep roots cool.

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Feeding

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Balanced fertilizer (NPK 10-10-10 or similar) once a month during the growing season — spring through early autumn. A phosphorus-rich formula (such as NPK 10-30-10) applied once in early spring encourages heavier flower production. Apply to moist soil. Slow-release granules are a low-maintenance alternative, applied every 3 months. No feeding in winter. Do not over-fertilize with high nitrogen — it promotes lush foliage at the expense of flowers.

✂️ Pruning Schedule for Continuous Bloom After each flowering flush (every 6–8 weeks): cut just behind spent flower clusters to the next set of healthy leaves. After monsoon: a harder prune — cut back by one-third overall to reshape the plant and remove any leggy growth before the post-monsoon flush. Annual hard prune in late winter (January–February): cut back by up to half to renew the framework and stimulate a vigorous spring flush. The more consistently you prune, the more compact, bushy, and floriferous the plant becomes.

⚠️ Common Issues & Quick Fixes

Flowering Slowing or Stopping

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Almost always caused by insufficient light or lack of post-flush pruning. Move to a position with at least 6 hours of direct sun and prune immediately behind spent flower clusters to trigger new branching. If the plant has not been pruned in a long time, a hard prune of one-third followed by a phosphorus-rich feed will typically restart vigorous flowering within 4–6 weeks.

Leggy Growth with Sparse Leaves

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Insufficient light and/or no pruning. Move to full sun and cut back leggy stems by one-third to one-half. New compact branching with dense foliage and more flower tips will emerge within a few weeks in good light.

Leaf Drop or Semi-Deciduous Behaviour

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Normal during dry or cool periods — the plant is naturally semi-deciduous and may drop some leaves in response to drought or temperatures below 15°C. Resume regular watering as temperatures warm and new growth will flush quickly. Not a sign of serious distress unless accompanied by root rot symptoms.

Root Rot — Yellowing Leaves, Waterlogged Soil

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Poor drainage — the most common problem, particularly during the monsoon season for in-ground plants in clay-heavy soil. Ensure excellent drainage at planting. For container plants, move to shelter during sustained heavy rain or ensure the pot drains freely. Allow to dry slightly and improve drainage before resuming normal watering.

Aphids or Spider Mites

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Occasional but uncommon — this plant is notably pest-resistant. Treat aphid clusters with a strong water jet or diluted neem oil spray. Spider mites in very dry conditions: boost humidity around the plant and treat with insecticidal soap every 5–7 days for 3 weeks. Scale: isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab for small infestations.

📋 Quick Plant Profile

Botanical Name	Wrightia antidysenterica (Roxb.) R.Br.
Name Meaning	Wrightia after William Wright, Scottish physician-botanist; antidysenterica = "against dysentery" — its traditional medicinal use
Common Names	Sri Lankan Jasmine, Snowflake, Milky Way, Arctic Snow, Sweet Indrajao, Angel Flower
Family	Apocynaceae — same family as frangipani, oleander, and Madagascar jasmine; not related to true jasmine
Origin	Sri Lanka and India; tropical and subtropical dry forest
Flowers	Pure white 5-petalled stars, 2.5–3.5 cm, with frilled corona; year-round in India; mild fragrance in evening
Blooming Key	Flowers at new growth tips — prune after every flush to produce more tips and more blooms
Light	Full sun essential — 6–8 hours direct daily; outdoor only; reduced sun = reduced flowers
Watering	Deep 2–3 times a week in summer; top 2–3 cm dry between waterings; excellent drainage essential
Humidity	Fully adaptable to all Indian climates — no supplemental humidity needed
Temperature	18°C–38°C; frost-sensitive; semi-deciduous in cool or dry periods
Mature Size	1.2–2 m tall; 1–1.5 m spread; compact and bushy with regular pruning
Pest Resistance	Notably pest-resistant — one of its most practical advantages
Medicinal Heritage	Bark antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory; leaves used in treating skin disorders including psoriasis; traditional South Asian medicine
Wildlife Value	Outstanding butterfly attractor; also draws bees and other pollinators year-round
Display Uses	Garden specimen, hedge, terrace container, balcony pot, border planting, pollinator garden
Ideal For	Gardens, Sunny Terraces, Balconies, Butterfly Gardens, Hedges, Gifting
Care Level	Very easy — full sun, regular watering, and prune after each flush

1 Sri Lankan Jasmine (Wrightia Antidysenterica)

Size: 1-2 Feet
(Plant sizes may vary slightly based on seasonal growth, individual plant characteristics, and current stock.)

Difficulty: Easy

Light:

This plant thrives in full sun, meaning it requires at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Ideal locations include south- or west-facing balconies, terraces, open gardens, or window sills that receive strong sunlight for most of the day.

Water:

Water deeply 2–3 times a week, depending on weather and soil type. Early morning or late evening is best. Increase frequency during peak summer or dry spells.

Growing Media:

30–40% Garden Soil/Loamy Soil: Provides structure, anchorage, and essential minerals.
20–30% Compost/FYM (well-rotted): Enriches the mix with organic matter and promotes healthy microbial activity.
20–30% Sand/Perlite: Improves drainage and aeration, especially important in pots.
10–20% Vermicompost: Supplies balanced, slow-release nutrients.

Optional: A handful of bone meal or neem cake for root development and pest resistance. This blend supports deep root growth, strong branching, and sustained health whether planted in pots or directly in the ground.

Feeding & Fertilization:

For these plants, use a phosphorus-rich liquid fertilizer (like 10-30-20 or similar) every 2–3 weeks during the blooming season to support healthy flowers. Dilute to half strength to avoid overfeeding.

Mix in a moderate amount of well-rotted compost or vermicompost every 4–6 weeks to improve soil fertility and encourage continuous blooming. Reduce or stop feeding during the off-season when flowering slows.