Have you ever walked into a room that was enveloped by the fragrance of fresh, flowers in full bloom? Isn’t it just the sweetest experience? Now imagine waking up every late winter or early spring to an incredibly rich and sweet fragrance of jasmine flowers…
Many popular listicle sites and pages rank Jasmine as the second most pleasant-smelling flower in the world, next only to the rose. It’s exotic, royal, feminine, and notably sensual. In Hindu and Muslim traditions, it’s considered the perfume of love.
In aromatherapy, the fragrance of the jasmine flower is used for intimacy, and to lower emotional apprehensions. There’s a reason why it’s one of the most favored fragrances in the world.
The good news is, you don’t have to spend too much money on perfume to enjoy the scents and sights of the Jasmine flower. Why? Because you can grow this flower in your garden or inside (even in your own bedroom)!
Fast Facts About Jasmine
In this article, we’re going to delve into the different varieties of Jasmine. There are a couple of these flowering plants that are noteworthy. But first, what is jasmine? Let’s answer a few questions like: Why are some shrub-like while others are vining? What colors are the flowers when they bloom?
Jasmine of the genus Jasminum has about 200 several species of these fragrant flowers. Most of these varieties are actually native to sub tropical and tropical regions of the world. In the US, the Jasmine Jasminum species thrives in Zones 6-10.
This houseplant or garden flower has varieties that are either shrub or vine. I’ve visited several flower shops and cafes that have trained the jasmine to climb up onto trellises. Honestly, an instant air freshener!
Here’s an interesting fact: did you know that most jasmine vining plants can root and grow wherever a part of the stem touches the soil? That’s why you’ll find many jasmine varieties with plenty of leaves.
The shrubbing jasmines are also popular, although, they usually require more care & maintenance for the flowers to stay thriving. Pruning is key for shrub types so you get a fuller, less gangly plant.
The jasmine flowers often bloom in the color white, pink, or yellow, depending on the variety. Some plants also stay evergreen with their leaves. Most jasmine types bloom from late winter or early spring and then go into a period of rest in October.
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How To Plant and Grow Jasmine
There are many reasons you should be growing the jasmine plant at home or in your garden. Besides their fragrant scent, they are also nice flowering plants to see and look at. They can be perfect additions to a wedding bouquet, and the jasmine plant can also serve as an attractive centerpiece.
More than aesthetics, they also provide great health benefits, including their benefits when drank as a tea. Who hasn’t downed Jasmine tea on their off days?
But, if you’re a new gardener, and you’re looking for an entryway to start flower gardening, the jasmine flower plants are also one of the easier plants for growing outside or indoors.
When To Plant Jasmine:
The best time to plant the jasmine Jasminum flowers is any time from June to November. If you are planting jasmine in a container, fall is the best time to plant.
Where To Plant Jasmine:
If you’re planting your Jasmine in the garden, choose areas that get full sun or partial or partial shade. Some varieties like the winter jasmine are better suited to shaded areas. Two to four hours per day of partial shade and six hours of direct sunlight is the general rule for sun exposure.
The Best Soil for Jasmine
Sandy loamy soil is the best option for this flower. Well-drained garden soil with moderate fertility levels and moisture is also ideal if you choose to plant them outside. Indoors, use bark, peat, and other such kinds of soil. Moist but not soggy conditions will ensure the jasmine stays a healthy plant.
Jasmine Water Needs
Part of Jasmine plant care heavily relies on the quality of your watering. Unlike your other house plants who are better off with less water, the jasmine flower needs frequent watering. Jasmine grown indoors in a container will need to be watered multiple times each week, especially in the summertime.
Allow the soil to dry out first before you water. Make sure the tip 1 inch of the soil is dry. Water from the bottom to avoid spotting on the gorgeous glossy leaves.
Pruning Tips
If you want your jasmine plant to look clean, well-kept, and tidy use the pruning process. You can pinch the tips to grow a bushier jasmine shrub. You can prune after the jasmine flowers to restrain the growth. Remove thinned-out, old shoots, damaged stems, and keep the plant in shape. Remove all parts that no longer flower as they can drain the jasmine plant’s energy. You may also prune the roots if you are repotting.
Proper and regular pruning practices will keep your jasmine lush, with fuller foliage (rather than gangly leggy vines).
Other General Indoor Jasmine Care Tips
Potted jasmine plants don’t have access to all the extra nutrients available when planted in the garden, so fertilizing is necessary to enjoy the bloom of the flowers come spring or summer.
Stick to fertilizing Jasmine twice a year with one that is rich in phosphorus and potassium. During the growing season of summer, you can feed the jasmine plant with a liquid fertilizer every few weeks. Repot in the spring.
If you’re planning to train your jasmine plant to climb a side of your wall with a trellis, or on a fence structure, start training the vines while young. Gently, and very loosely, tie them onto the support.
The Different Types of Jasmine
The False Jasmines
Before we delve into the jasmine’s list of the same species and family, we need to clear the air about certain plants that are usually called Jasmine plants.
A notable example of a plant that is not true jasmine is the Star Jasmine. The star jasmine may be a petalled flower and a vining plant but is more related to the oleander than the Jasminum genus.
Another plant, the false jasmine, or yellow jasmine is also called the evening trumpet flower, which is distinctly different from the real jasmine in one important trait. These false jasmines are dangerously toxic. It has yellow flowers and is also climbing plants, but make no mistake, this common species often found in many gardens can cause skin irritation or worse.
The true jasmines that we will be reading in the rest of this article are perfectly safe Jasminum plants.
The Common Jasmine (Jasminum officinale)
The common jasmine is one species you can grow indoors during the winter. This plant should be the flower on your mind when we say true jasmine. It has large, lush vining shrubs that look graceful and elegant. At the start of summer, you will enjoy the bloom of large clusters of 3 to 5 white flowers. The common jasmine also called the hardy jasmine, and as such, thrives in zones 7 to 10.
Angel Wing Jasmine (Jasminum nitidum)
If you need a gorgeous planter bursting with white flowers cascading over the edge of a container, this jasmine species is the one for you. The flowers look like pinwheels and you get white petals with bold purple undersides. They smell wonderful too.
Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)
Another jasmine that deserves the “hardy” title is the winter jasmine. This beauty blooms bright yellow 1-inch flowers that start showing in the early days of spring. They thrive in USDA zones six to nine. Although not fragrant like the rest of the jasmine family, this kind works great as a ground cover, especially for slopes.
Royal Jasmine (Jasminum Rex)
Native to the land of grand temples and royalty, Thailand. The Royal Jasmine is a quick-growing plant that’s perfect for warmer climates. It produces sweet and fragrant white flowers almost all year long. It can easily cover a small structure which makes it perfect for your fences.
Pink Jasmine (Jasminum Polyanthum)
I’ve personally seen this family of jasmine grown indoors with a miniature trellis. And mind you, it was gorgeous! This Jasminum has clusters of many white and pinkish fragrant flowers that grow in winter and spring. Because it is fast-growing, you can let this climb over any structure, but note that this jasmine is not a clinging vine, a bit of support is needed.
Arabian Jasmine (Jasminum sambac)
In the tropical regions of the Philippines and Indonesia, the Arabian Jasmine is celebrated as the national flower. This jasmine is also known as the Sampaguita and is often made into a necklace to adorn special guests and graduating students.
This species is vine-like but is also thick and shrubby. You can plant this in containers and bring it indoors when the weather cools. They are also one of the best kinds for growing indoors.
The Arabian jasmine produces one of the sweetest fragrances and Jasmine tea is made from the flowers of this species.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is Jasmine easy to grow?
Jasmine plant care is generally not difficult, but it will require some level of attention. This is especially needed when the vines of your jasmine plant are still young. You may need to train them to climb a trellis or lattice.
Which is the most fragrant jasmine?
The common jasmine has been consistently ranked as one of the most fragrant types of jasmine. It’s also a bonus that the jasmine blooms throughout the summer, making its fragrance even more intense.
Can you grow jasmine in pots?
As long as you provide jasmine with its basic needs: well-draining soil, full sun exposure, humidity, and proper watering, you will enjoy sweet-smelling fragrance in your home.
Growing them in your yard is relatively easier, and you can harvest the flowers for hot tea or decor.
Where is the best place to plant jasmine?
Whether in your yard or as a potted plant, jasmine thrives when there is access to full sun.