While henna is a plant, mehndi is the ancient art of applying henna to body.

Henna is the Arabic name of a plant of the botanical name, Lawsonia Inermis, whose crushed leaves are applied as a paste onto your skin to make beautiful designs that lasts up to a month. The flowers of the henna plants are small, green colored and extremely pleasant smelling. They were often used in the making of cosmetics. Mehndi refers to the henna powder, and also the paste that is made with that powder. Mehndi is also known as an ancient art of body decoration, creating intricate patterns and designs on body.