Fertiliser for Murraya (Orange Jessamine): How to Grow, Maintain & Feed Murraya Hedges

Murraya paniculata—commonly known as Orange Jessamine or Mock Orange—is a popular evergreen shrub in Australia, loved for its glossy green foliage, fragrant white blooms, and dense hedge-forming habit. Whether you’re growing it as a privacy screen, ornamental feature, or fragrant border, understanding how to care for and fertilise Murraya properly is essential for lush, year-round growth.

Murraya Plant Basics – Appearance, Growth Habit & Uses

Murraya paniculata is a fast-growing tropical to subtropical shrub that can be shaped into formal hedges, topiary, or left to grow into a small tree. It’s widely used in landscaping thanks to its dense foliage, compact form, and sweet-smelling flowers that appear in flushes from spring through autumn. Key characteristics:

Botanical name: Murraya paniculata
Common names: Orange Jessamine, Mock Orange, Murraya hedge
Height: Grows 2–4 m high when untrimmed; ideal hedge height is 1.2–2 m
Foliage: Glossy, dark green leaves; evergreen year-round
Flowers: Clusters of small white flowers with a strong citrus scent

In the right conditions, Murraya is a vigorous grower, forming a thick screen within a few years. Its flowers attract pollinators and can be lightly pruned to control shape while still encouraging flowering.

An extreme closeup shot of water droplets on the leaves of jasmine flower

How to Grow & Maintain Healthy Murraya Hedges

Murraya thrives in most parts of Australia, particularly in warm temperate to subtropical zones. It’s tolerant of a wide range of conditions but grows best when its basic needs are met. Essential growing conditions:

Sunlight: Full sun to part shade. At least 4–6 hours of direct sunlight is ideal.
Soil: Free-draining soil enriched with organic matter. Slightly acidic to neutral pH preferred.
Water: Water regularly during establishment. Once mature, Murraya is moderately drought tolerant but prefers consistent moisture in summer.

Maintenance tips:

Pruning: Lightly prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage denser foliage.
Mulching: Apply a 5–7 cm mulch layer to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Pests/Disease: Generally low-maintenance, but watch for scale and aphids during hot, humid weather.

For hedging, spacing plants 50–80 cm apart will create a full, seamless screen within 1–2 years under good care.

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Understanding Murraya’s Fertiliser Needs

Murraya is a fast and responsive grower when properly fed, but using the wrong type of fertiliser—or applying too much—can lead to problems like leggy growth, poor flowering, or yellowing leaves. Nutritional needs:

Balanced NPK: A moderate nitrogen level helps support lush foliage without overstimulating leaf growth; phosphorus and potassium are essential for flowering and overall resilience.
Micronutrients: Iron, magnesium, manganese, and other trace elements help prevent common deficiencies like chlorosis (yellow leaves).
pH balance: Murraya prefers slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 6.0–6.8), so fertilisers that are pH buffered can improve nutrient uptake and root health.

Feeding guide:

Spring: Begin feeding at the first sign of new growth. This supports early leaf development and sets up the plant for a strong growing season.
Summer: Continue feeding every 4–6 weeks during warm months to encourage flowering and dense branching.
Late Summer: Reduce fertiliser amounts as the plant prepares to slow down. Avoid heavy feeding from late summer onward.
Autumn–Winter: Pause fertilising entirely. Murraya’s growth slows, and extra nutrients won’t be absorbed effectively.

Overfeeding—especially with nitrogen-rich blends—can delay flowering and cause excessive soft growth. A steady, balanced approach throughout the growing season will yield the best results in terms of flower production, foliage colour, and overall plant health.