Nakshatra Tree List 2026: All 27 Birth Star Trees with Botanical Names

A nakshatra tree (birth star tree) is the tree traditionally linked with each of the 27 nakshatras, or lunar mansions, of Indian astronomy and astrology. Below is the complete nakshatra tree list with Hindi/Sanskrit names, botanical names, and the alternatives used by different traditions — along with practical advice on whether your birth star tree will actually fit in your garden.

What is a nakshatra?

In Indian astronomy, the Moon’s monthly path through the sky is divided into 27 equal segments called nakshatras, each named after a star or star group near that segment — for example Krittika (the Pleiades), Rohini (Aldebaran), Chitra (Spica) and Swati (Arcturus). Your janma nakshatra is simply the segment the Moon was in when you were born. It is not the same as your sun sign, and it cannot be worked out from your birth date alone: the Moon changes nakshatra roughly once a day, so you need your birth time and place. Any Panchang, or a free online janma nakshatra calculator, will give it to you.

Tradition assigns a tree to each nakshatra. The belief is that planting, caring for and not harming your birth star tree brings wellbeing. These are cultural and religious beliefs rather than scientific findings — but the trees themselves are overwhelmingly native Indian species with real medicinal and ecological value, which is why many forest departments and temples now plant nakshatra vans.

Complete nakshatra tree list (27 birth star trees)

The main column follows the most widely repeated list, cross-checked against the Nakshatra Van in Ranchi run by Jharkhand’s forest department and a 2022 review in the South African Journal of Botany. Where sources disagree, the alternatives are shown.

If your nakshatra has more than one tree listed, follow your family or regional tradition — neither is “wrong”. South Indian lists (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka) tend to use Western Ghats species, while North Indian lists substitute trees that grow on the plains.

Why do nakshatra tree lists differ?

The lists come from Sanskrit names in texts on astrology and ritual, and Sanskrit plant names do not map one-to-one onto modern botanical species. “Plaksha”, for instance, is identified with different fig species by different authors, and “Vanjula” can mean Ashoka, a willow or a cane. When the lists were adapted to local flora in different regions, different identifications took hold. Some popular websites have added errors on top — so treat any single online list with care.

Two mix-ups are worth flagging:

• Shami is not “vilayati babool”: the correct Shami (Dhanishta) is the native Prosopis cineraria, the Khejri tree. Some lists wrongly give Prosopis juliflora, an invasive species from the Americas that you should not plant.
• Kuchla is poisonous: Strychnos nux-vomica (Ashwini) is the source of strychnine. Its seeds are toxic, so avoid it where children or pets play.

Will your nakshatra tree fit? A practical size guide

Many birth star trees are large forest trees. Before planting, check how big yours gets:

In the Delhi NCR climate — hot summers, cold winters and alkaline soil in many areas — Amla, Bael, Neem, Jamun, Shami, Palash, Arjun and Aak are all hardy local choices. Nagkesar, Kuchla and Western Ghats species like white dammar struggle in the dry north; plant them only where you can give shade and regular water.

Where to see nakshatra vans

• Sringeri, Karnataka: the Nakshatravana associated with the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, which also holds over 120 Western Ghats medicinal plants.
• Ranchi, Jharkhand: the Nakshatra Van at Doranda, a 7.5-acre garden managed by Jharkhand Udyan Samiti. Its foundation stone was laid in November 2002 and it was completed in May 2003. Entry was listed as ₹15 for adults and ₹10 for children (as of September 2026, per the JharParks website; fees can change, so check before visiting).
• Visakhapatnam: the Biodiversity Park has a Sacred Groves zone with separate Nakshatra, Rashi, Navagraha, Saptarishi and Ganesha vanas.
• Noida: Ved Van Park in Sector 78 is planted with trees described in Vedic literature, such as banyan and kalpavriksha. Whether it has a dedicated nakshatra section is not confirmed in published sources, so check the notice boards when you visit.

Tips for planting your birth star tree

1. Confirm your nakshatra first using your exact birth time and place — a mistake of a few hours can change it.
2. Use the botanical name at the nursery. Common names like “Indian laurel” or “gum tree” refer to several different species.
3. Keep big trees at least a few metres from walls, pipes and borewells. Figs (Peepal, Banyan, Gular, Pakar) have aggressive roots and should never be planted against a building.
4. Plant at the start of the monsoon (July–August in north India) so the sapling establishes before summer.
5. Think community, not just home. If your tree is too big for your garden, sponsor it in a society park or a municipal plantation drive, with permission.
6. Handle toxic plants carefully: Aak sap irritates skin and eyes; Kuchla seeds are poisonous.
7. Don’t pay extra for “energised” saplings. A healthy nursery-grown plant of the right species is all tradition requires.

Related guides

Nakshatra trees are part of a wider tradition of sacred plant gardens. The nine planet garden is covered in our Hindi guide to Navgrah Vatika plants, and the legendary wish-fulfilling tree in Kalpavriksha: what it is and where to see it. For the star names and positions, the Nakshatra overview lists the stars linked with each lunar mansion.

Whatever you believe about birth stars, a nakshatra tree is a thoughtful reason to plant a native species — and most of these trees will outlive the person who plants them. Pick the right species for your space, plant it in the monsoon, and it will give shade, fruit or flowers for decades.