Water jasmine (mok) Wrightia religiosa
Water jasmine (mok) (Wrightia religiosa) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Apocynaceae family, native to Thailand and Indochina (riverbanks and seasonally flooded forest). It grows 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) tall and 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
Plan Water jasmine (mok) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Water jasmine (mok) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Mature height | 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 21–39 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Thailand and Indochina (riverbanks and seasonally flooded forest) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇲🇾 Malaysia |
Is Water jasmine (mok) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: milky sap
Milky latex like its relatives; may irritate skin and upset the stomach if chewed. No poisonings recorded.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Water jasmine (mok)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Water jasmine (mok)
- How far apart should I plant Water jasmine (mok)?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft).
- Does Water jasmine (mok) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Water jasmine (mok) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Water jasmine (mok)?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Water jasmine (mok) flower?
- From about March for 21–39 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Water jasmine (mok) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Milky latex like its relatives; may irritate skin and upset the stomach if chewed. No poisonings recorded.
- What grows well with Water jasmine (mok)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Water jasmine (mok). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- Thai Plant Names (Tem Smitinand), revised edition, Forest Herbarium, Royal Forest Department, Bangkok
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: needs warm nights all year; in a frosty climate grow it under glass or as a summer container plant.
- Small-leaved and easily shaped; one of the most popular Thai and Vietnamese bonsai and temple pot plants. Nodding, sweet-scented white flowers almost all year.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Oleander Nerium oleander
- Frangipani (plumeria) Plumeria rubra
- Butterfly weed Asclepias tuberosa
- Madagascar periwinkle Catharanthus roseus
- Star jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoides
- Mandevilla Mandevilla sanderi
- Lesser periwinkle Vinca minor
- Jelutong Dyera costulata