Rohida Tree (Tecomella undulata): Rajasthan's State Flower and How to Grow It in Jaipur
Tecomella undulata
Rohida gives Rajasthan its state flower and the Thar its main native timber, and it is now Endangered. When to plant it in Jaipur, how to water and protect it for three years, what it does for birds and soil, and what to watch out for.
Care in the first three years
Watering. Ease off each year. Published guidance suggests every 30–40 days in winter and every 20–30 days in summer once plants are established; treat that as the target for year two. By year three, water only in a long dry spell or a very hot May.
Frost. Grown trees handle light frost, but a first-winter sapling is small and exposed. On nights when IMD warns of a cold wave or ground frost, cover it loosely with jute or a straw hood and take the cover off in the morning.
Winter leaf drop. From November to March Rohida sheds part of its leaves, and new leaves start to appear from mid-February. A thin-looking tree in January is normal.
Weeds and mulch. Weed the basin in the first two monsoons, then mulch with dry grass, kept a hand's width from the stem.
Shaping. Rohida branches early and low, which is why so many old trees are short and crooked. From year two, remove the lowest side shoots a few at a time to build one clear stem. Use sharp secateurs and make clean cuts: canker fungi, borers and heart rot are known problems in older trees.
Pests. Termites and stem borers are the main pests of young plants. Check the base of the stem every few weeks.
Patience. In the Jalore trial, seedlings were under a metre tall after two years. Plant Rohida for the next generation, not for quick shade.
This article was prepared with AI assistance. Please check important details against the sources shown in each section.
Plant a tree you can track
Plant a tree on GreenEye land and track it as it grows.
Share this article