Khejri Tree (Prosopis cineraria): Rajasthan's State Tree and How to Grow It in Jaipur

Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) is Rajasthan's state tree and one of the few trees that stays green through the desert's hottest months. Its deep roots reach underground moisture, it enriches the soil, and its leaves and pods feed animals and families.

Photo: "A tree of Prosopis Cineraria in India" by Mulkh Singh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Quick facts

Scientific name	Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce
Family	Fabaceae (legume family)
Hindi name	खेजड़ी (Khejri), also Jand and Shami
Height	Usually 5–10 m; some trees reach 10–12 m
Growth rate	Slow above ground in the early years
Water need	Low once established; regular watering in the first dry seasons
Best planting months in Jaipur	July–August (monsoon); September–October is second-best
Jaipur suitability	Excellent

Why plant Khejri in Jaipur

Khejri is native to the arid and semi-arid north-west of India. ICAR-CIAH (Bikaner) describes it as tolerating extreme heat of up to about 50 °C, hot loo winds, frost and severe drought, and it grows with as little as 75–450 mm of rain a year. Jaipur, with roughly 600–650 mm, sits well inside its comfort range. A CIAH survey has also recorded Khejri in Jaipur district.

Khejri puts out new leaves, flowers and pods in the driest months, March to June. It tolerates alkaline soils (reported up to pH 9.8) but needs good drainage, and does poorly on shallow soil over a hard layer or on strongly saline soil. Dense shade kills its seedlings, so plant it only in full sun.

How to plant it

When to plant

The best time is July to August, when monsoon rains help the young plant build a strong taproot. September to October also works with nursery seedlings, with watering through the first dry season. Avoid April to June.

Choosing a sapling

A nursery sapling is the most reliable choice; Khejri does not grow well from cuttings. As practical advice, pick a plant 7–12 months old and 30–60 cm tall, grown in a deep bag so the taproot is not coiled. Grafted plants of selected varieties such as 'Thar Shobha' (ICAR-CIAH) are an option if you want sangri sooner.

Pit, spacing and protection

As practical advice, dig a pit 45–60 cm on each side, refill with the dug soil mixed with well-rotted farmyard manure, and add neem cake where termites are common. Plant at the same depth as in the nursery bag. In a grove, space trees 5–8 m apart so each grows a full crown.

A tree guard is essential for at least two to three years, because goats and camels badly damage young plants.

First-year watering (practical advice)

• July–September: water only if there has been no rain for 10 days or more, about 10 L.
• October–February: every 10–15 days, 10–15 L.
• March–April: every week, about 15 L.
• May–June: every 4–5 days, 15–20 L, early morning or evening.

Care in the first three years

Monsoon (July–September). Make a saucer-shaped basin. Because early growth is slow, weed two to three times in the first year; later, light weeding is enough.

Post-monsoon (October–November). Spread 5–8 cm of dry grass or leaf mulch. Water every 10–15 days in year one, every 2–3 weeks in year two, and only in long dry spells in year three.

Winter (December–February). Frost is rarely a problem. Watch for termites. From year two, light training pruning helps form a straight stem.

Spring (March–April). Water weekly in year one and every 10–14 days in year two. By year three it is mostly rain-fed.

Summer (May–June). The most critical time: water every 4–5 days in year one and every 7–10 days in year two. In year three, water only in a severe dry spell.

Pests. Browsing animals are the biggest risk. Also watch for stem and root borers, mealybugs and the parasitic climber dodder (Cuscuta), which you can pull off by hand. Do not lop the tree for fodder in its first three years.

Be patient

Khejri sends its roots deep first. Seedlings may reach only 1–2 m in four years, and protected plants take shape in about 4–5 years.

Benefits

Soil. Khejri is a nitrogen-fixing legume that raises soil organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium under its canopy.

Food and fodder. Tender pods (sangri) are a well-known Rajasthani vegetable and a main ingredient of panchkuta, and ripe dry pods (khokha) are also eaten. The leaves (loong) are nutritious fodder that animals like, especially in winter when little other green fodder is available. Seed-grown trees usually take 10–15 years to bear pods regularly; grafted plants can start in 3–4 years.

Water and farming. Its deep taproot draws on deep soil moisture, so it does not compete for water with nearby crops.

Shade and wildlife. It gives light, filtered shade and stays green in summer, sheltering people, livestock and wildlife. Its spring flowers are valued for honey.

Land and wood. Khejri is planted to stabilise sand dunes. Its hard, heavy heartwood is used for posts, construction and fuelwood.

Traditional use. Its bark, leaves and flowers are traditionally used in Ayurveda and folk medicine. This is traditional use only, not medical advice.

Cultural significance

Khejri is Rajasthan's state tree, and India Post issued a stamp on it in 1988. As Shami, it has spiritual importance in Hindu tradition: the Ramayana and Mahabharata describe Shami-puja, and its wood was used to kindle the sacred fire for yajna. In parts of Rajasthan, green Khejri twigs are worshipped on Janmashtami.

The Bishnoi community follows Guru Jambheshwar's teaching to protect green trees and wildlife. In 1730, at Khejarli village near Jodhpur, Amrita Devi Bishnoi and her three daughters gave their lives trying to stop Khejri trees from being cut for the Jodhpur ruler's construction work. Many more Bishnois followed; the number commonly reported is 363. The Rajasthan government notes that this sacrifice later inspired the Chipko Movement of the 1970s.

Cautions and safety

• Thorns. The branches carry prickles. Plant away from paths and play areas, and wear gloves when handling.
• Not vilayati babool. Do not confuse Khejri with Prosopis juliflora (vilayati babool), a foreign species that has invaded grazing lands and sacred groves in the Thar. Make sure your nursery supplies true Prosopis cineraria.
• Toxicity. The pods traditionally eaten are not considered toxic, and leaves and pods are staple fodder for goats, camels, cattle and sheep. Folk belief holds that the fruit is hard to digest if eaten in excess. Effects on cats and dogs are not documented.
• Root suckers. In wetter areas it can spread by root suckers; this is not a big risk in Jaipur.
• Choose a permanent spot. Felling Khejri is restricted in Rajasthan. In February 2026 the state ordered a statewide ban on cutting Khejri, and in August 2026 the State Cabinet approved a tree protection bill that includes it. Plant it where it can stay for good.

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