Arabian jasmine
Jasminum sambac, family Oleaceae
A small white jasmine with a strong, sweet scent, treasured in Asia for garlands and ceremonies
Arabian jasmine is an evergreen shrub or vine with clusters of small, white, powerfully fragrant flowers. Native to South and East Asia, it is widely grown for its scent, used in garlands, weddings, religious offerings, and perfumes, and is the national flower of the Philippines and Indonesia.
- National flower of both the Philippines and Indonesia
- Flowers open at night and close in the morning
- Used in garlands for weddings and religious ceremonies
- Strong, sweet fragrance prized in perfumes and tea
- Rarely produces seeds; grown by cuttings or layering
What does Arabian jasmine look like?
Arabian jasmine is a small evergreen shrub or vine, growing from 0.5 to 3 meters tall. Its leaves are smooth, simple, and arranged in pairs or whorls. The plant produces clusters of 3 to 12 white flowers at the tips of branches. Each flower is about 2 to 3 cm across, with 5 to 9 lobes, and opens in the evening, releasing a strong, sweet fragrance. The flowers close by morning. The plant rarely sets fruit in cultivation.
Where does Arabian jasmine come from?
Arabian jasmine is native to South and East Asia, including India, Bhutan, and China. Early records show it was cultivated in Southeast Asia before spreading to Arabia and Persia, where it became popular in gardens. From there, it reached Europe and became known as 'sambac.' The name comes from Arabic and Latin roots linked to jasmine flower-oil. Today, it is grown throughout the tropics for its scent and flowers.
When and how Arabian jasmine blooms
This jasmine blooms all year, especially in warm, tropical climates. It is usually grown from cuttings or by layering, as cultivated plants rarely produce seeds. Flowers are picked as buds early in the morning, when their scent is strongest. The plant does not tolerate frost and is grown under glass in cooler regions. Several cultivars exist, each with different flower shapes and petal counts.
How Arabian jasmine is used
In the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia, Arabian jasmine flowers are strung into garlands for religious offerings, ceremonies, and as gifts of respect or honor. Brides in Indonesia often wear jasmine garlands in their hair, and the flower is used in weddings and funerals. The flowers are also used to scent tea and make perfume. Though edible, they are rarely used in food.
Kinds of Arabian jasmine
Notable cultivars include 'Maid of Orleans' with single-layered petals, 'Belle of India' with elongated petals, and 'Grand Duke of Tuscany' with double petals resembling small roses. 'Mysore Malli' and 'Arabian Nights' are other well-known types, each with unique petal shapes and fragrance. These cultivars are chosen for garlands, ceremonies, and ornamental planting.
What Arabian jasmine means
Arabian jasmine is the national flower of the Philippines (sampaguita) and Indonesia (melati putih), symbolizing purity, sacredness, and sincerity. It is central to weddings, religious rituals, and state ceremonies. In Indonesia, it also represents fallen heroes and is woven into patriotic songs and poetry. In Cambodia and Thailand, it is offered in Buddhist worship.
Where Arabian jasmine is used and seen
Traditions that use it
Where to see Arabian jasmine
🇮🇳 Mumbai · All yearDadar flower market at dawnMumbai's wholesale flower market beside Dadar station, at its busiest before the city has had breakfast.
🇮🇳 Bengaluru · All yearKR Market flower hallBengaluru's old city market, where the flower floor is best seen from the stairs above.
🇮🇳 Chennai · All yearKoyambedu wholesale flower marketThe flower block of Chennai's vast Koyambedu wholesale complex, busiest before sunrise.
🇮🇳 Madurai · All yearMadurai malli at the Mattuthavani flower marketThe wholesale market that sets the daily price of Madurai malli, the jasmine the city is famous for.
🇮🇳 Nagercoil · All yearThovalai flower marketA village flower market near the southern tip of India that supplies Kerala, above all at Onam.
🇮🇳 Kannauj · Feb to AprAttar distilling in KannaujAn old perfume town on the Ganges where roses and other flowers are distilled in copper pots.Questions people ask about Arabian jasmine
Where does Arabian jasmine come from?
Arabian jasmine is native to South and East Asia, including India, Bhutan, and China. It spread to Arabia, Persia, and later to Europe and many tropical regions.
What does Arabian jasmine symbolize?
In the Philippines and Indonesia, Arabian jasmine stands for purity, sacredness, and sincerity. It is also a symbol of honor, respect, and remembrance in ceremonies and national traditions.
How is Arabian jasmine used?
The flowers are strung into garlands for weddings, religious offerings, and as gifts. They are also used to scent tea, make perfume, and decorate homes and ceremonies.
What does Arabian jasmine look and smell like?
It is a small shrub or vine with clusters of white, strongly fragrant flowers that open at night and close in the morning. The scent is sweet and intense.
Are there different types of Arabian jasmine?
Yes, several cultivars exist, such as 'Maid of Orleans', 'Belle of India', and 'Grand Duke of Tuscany', each with different petal shapes and fragrance.
Good reading and sources
- Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
- Jasminum sambacRoyal Horticultural Society, Article
- USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
- Jasminum sambac on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Jasminum sambac", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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