The cultural requirements of Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum)
are simple but exacting. When your plant arrives, put it in a cool room and set
it in a window that receives bright light but little or no direct sun. Flowers
will open and last longer with cooler home temperatures.
Jasmines are also sensitive to the dryness created by radiators, hot-air
vents, and wood-burning stoves. The best way to increase the humidity around
your plants is to run a humidifier nearby. You can also set plants in trays
filled with pebbles or gravel. Add water to a level just below the tops of the
pebbles (if the potting mix in the pots comes in contact with the water, the mix
will draw water into the pot, which will cause the mix to become saturated,
eventually leading to rot). Refill trays frequently to replace water lost
through evaporation. (Our Humiditrays perform the same function without the need
for pebbles.)
Water only when the top half inch of the potting mix is dry to the touch;
Jasmine won't tolerate soggy potting mix. If these conditions are met, flowering
generally begins in late January or early February.
After bloom, give your plant at least 6 hours of direct sun and normal room
temperatures. When the danger of frost has passed, we recommend that you set the
plant outdoors for the summer, shifting it gradually from a shady spot to full
sun. Fertilize every 2-4 weeks during the growing season -- generally from early
spring to early fall. Withhold fertilizer entirely during fall and winter, when
the plant is resting. Use a water-soluble fertilizer designed for houseplants
mixed at just half the rate suggested by the manufacturer. As with watering,
plants suffer if overfertilized.
Prune as necessary to control size or to maintain shape, but stop pruning by
August 1, because the plant sets flower buds in late summer.To encourage the
formation of flower buds for next winter, be sure your plant experiences the
cooler temperatures and shorter days of early autumn. The plant needs 4-5 weeks
of nighttime temperatures between 40° and 50°F, plenty of sunlight, and the
complete absence of artificial light after sundown. Bring the plant indoors
before frost. Then give it cool temperatures and indirect light until it blooms
again in late winter.