How to Grow Chinese Jasmine

Chinese jasmine originated in China. It is a tropical plant that is hardy in the USDA zones 9 through 11. If you live in zones below 9, then the Chinese jasmine is grown as a houseplant.

During the late fall to early winter months, the Chinese jasmine begins to form flower buds. When February arrives, this plant will be a show piece. Place this plant in a room and the star-shaped flowers with five petals will emit a scent that perfumes the whole area. If you allow the Chinese jasmine to grow naturally, it can reach a height of 10 feet.

Growing Chinese Jasmine in Pots

Chinese jasmine can grow in pots filled with well-draining potting soil. You can buy the soil at any garden supply store, or you can mix your own. The general guide for mixing your own is to combine equal amounts of compost, peat moss and perlite. When growing this plant, keep the soil on the moist side, but not soggy wet. This will rot the roots of the plant.

When the Chinese jasmine becomes root bound, repot it into a pot that is one to two sizes larger. Repot every two to three years.

Place the pot in a tray filled with pebbles or rocks. Add water to the tray so it is below the top of the pebbles. Chinese jasmine likes to grow in a higher humidity environment. Also the leaves should be misted daily.

Provide Humidity

Place the pot in a location that provides bright filtered light. When summer arrives, take your Chinese jasmine outdoors to grow. Choose a sunny location, but make sure that it is protected from the wind.

Room Temperature

When you take the plant indoors in the fall, place it in a cool room for 6 weeks. Because Chinese jasmines are grown as houseplants, keep the room where they are growing at temperatures of 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Cool temperatures will help the flower buds to form. After six weeks have passed, move your plant to a warm area or turn up the heat in the room it is already in. The temperatures should stay around 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pruning Chinese Jasmine

You don’t need to prune your plant, but you can during the summer months to help control the growth. Pruning is done in the spring to early summer months. Only prune the stems that have flowered. you don’t need to go crazy when pruning, simply pinch off the tips of the stems.

Fertilizing Chinese Jasmine

Chinese jasmine should be fed once a month while it is actively growing. The right fertilizer for your plant is high in phosphorus and low in nitrogen. Do not fertilize it in the spring after the flowers have faded. Unlike most plants, the spring and summer months is when the Chinese jasmine is resting or in dormancy.

Pests

Check the plant for spider mites and scale. If you notice spider mites, spray the leaves with an insecticidal soap. If scale is the problem, wipe them away with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. Yellow leaves on your Chinese jasmine indicates that is has iron chlorosis. This is corrected by adding chelated iron in your fertilizer water. Read and use the chelated iron as the label directs.

Sources:

“The Houseplant Expert”; Dr. D.G. Hessayon; 1980
“Favorite Houseplants”; Don Dooley; 1976


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