How To Grow And Care For Star Jasmine

Star jasmine is an evergreen, perennial climber which is admired for its highly aromatic star-shaped white flowers. This plant is from the Apocynaceae family, and it primarily grows in East Asian countries such as China and Japan. It can also be used in different gardens, from ground coverage to climbing frames. 

It boasts glossy and dark green foliage and the flower starts blooming in late spring to early summer. The highly fragrant flowers make Star Jasmine ideal to be planted at locations easy to smell, such as patios, doors, or windows.

If you are wondering about when to plant Star Jasmine, here are some guidelines that needs to be followed:

Timing for Outdoor Planting

Star Jasmine is recommended for planting in the spring, once the frost has passed and the soil has also warmed up. This timing enables the plant to gain market and also to adapt to its growing environment during the growth periods.

Growing Star Jasmine in USDA hardiness zones 8-10 demands planting during the last weeks of spring to early summer for strong growth and development. The mild winter season favors good root development and fast growth of foliage allowing better flowering during the subsequent season.

Timing for Indoor Planting

While growing the Star Jasmine in pots, you can plant at any time, as long as the plant’s root is not subjected to extreme cold or heat. This again makes spring and early summer favored seasons as they enable the plant to experience the best in the climate.

Nonetheless, if your climate is rather moderate, you can grow a plant also in early autumn. This enables roots to develop before the cold season sets in, however, extra precaution to guard the plant against any possibility of frost might be required.

Special Considerations for Different Climates

Star Jasmine in areas with cold climates (below USDA Zone 8) should ideally be grown in containers which are then, transferred to a more protected environment during the winter season. Sowing should ideally be done in late spring-early summer although this may be a little flexible.

In these areas, it is crucial to find the sunniest spot and also make sure the plant can be brought into a warmer environment before the first frost occurs.

On the other hand, in regions that receive high levels of heat, planting can be done early in spring or when the autumn season is near to overcome the heat stress that newly planted Star Jasmine may experience.

This climber is regarded as a multi-purpose plant since it is grown on trellises, walls, and fences or even used as a cover on the ground in a garden. In order to ensure your Star Jasmine thrives, follow these essential care tips:

Light

Star Jasmine requires full sun to partial shade, the plant does best when receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight to encourage flowering. It prefers some shade, particularly where there is strong sun during the afternoon, although it will not perform as well in too much shade which will lead to reduced flowering and leggier growth.

Some afternoon shade is useful in very hot climates because it can prevent the plant from suffering from heat stress and scorched leaves.

Soil and Water 

This climber is best planted in well-drained soils which may include sandy, loamy, or clay soils. It thrives best in a slightly acidic to a neutral pH range. Especially during the first growing season, it is essential to keep the soil moderately moist to promote root development.

Water the plant profusely and often while still avoiding watering which is making the soil too wet. Once it has grown, Star Jasmine is more drought-proof but best watered during dry spells that may be long. The soil around the base can be mulched to help retain moisture in the soil and to cool the roots.

Fertilizer

To fertilize the plant so it grows healthy and bears many flowers, use a slow-release balanced fertilizer during the growing season. One such example is 10-10-10, which stands for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Do not over-fertilize as this results in the development of a large number of leaves from nitrogen at the expense of the flowers. It is also beneficial to apply a light fertilizer mid-summer, particularly for those plants grown in containers.

Pruning

Pruning the Star Jasmine facilitates its management in terms of size and shape as well as promotes increased density. It is advisable to prune after flowering in late summer because this is essential for the health of the plant.

Prune any dead, damaged, or diseased branches away to maintain the vitality of the plant. Shortening the stems back to a moderate length also helps make the plant look more full and healthy. Pruning also increases the formation of new growth and more flowers in the following year.

Temperature and Humidity

Star Jasmine is a warmth-preferring plant that can barely withstand cold conditions, ideally suited to temperatures that range from 10°F (-12°C). It prefers a mild climate and, in regions with cold winters, it is recommended to be planted in containers that can easily be taken indoors or to a spot that is protected from frost.

It does well in medium to high humidity, though it will also successfully grow in low humidity so long as It is taken care of well. In case of dry conditions, one should occasionally wash the plant using mist water, or placing the plant near a humidifier.

Star Jasmine can easily be propagated through cuttings or through layering techniques in the following way:

Cutting

• Propagation can be done between late spring and early summer by placing 4-6 inch cuttings from vegetative, non-flowering shoots.
• Cut off the leaves from the lower half of the cutting, and then, you need to dip the cut end in the rooting hormone to make the roots grow.
• Take a cutting and transplant it in a suitable pot containing a good potting mix that drains well, and water the plant adequately.
• Simply put the pot in a warm lighted area away from the sun and ensure that the soil is continuously moist. These roots should form within a few weeks and once this is the case, one may transfer the new plant.

Layering

• Take one of the stems, and almost double it down to the ground.
• Twist the part of the stem that is to be in the ground a little, then place this part in the soil, anchoring it with a U-pin or a stone.
• Ensure that there is adequate water in the surrounding soil particularly touching the buried part. Roots will emerge on the plant for many months.
• When they start to grow, or after several weeks of growth, cut the new plant from the parent and transfer it to the preferred location.

Propagation by seed is relatively longer as compared to other methods such as through cuttings or layering although the process can be very rewarding. Here is how you can grow Star Jasmine from seeds:

Step 1: Seed Collection

Harvest seeds from the pods only when the pods are fully ripe, this is usually in late summer or early fall. It is said that the pods when mature, will become brown and will split from their middle to open.

Step 2: Preparation

It is best to first, let the Seeds soak in water for at least 24 hours with a view to improving germination.

Step 3: Planting

Wash and fill a seed tray or small pots to a suitable capacity with soil that is good for drainage. Plant seeds on the surface of the soil and then ruffle them with your hand. Water lightly so the soil is moist with the hazard of flooding it.

Step 4: Germination

If you have seed trays or pots then place them in a warm sunny place, however, they should not be in direct sunlight. Maintain consistent moisture. Seeds usually take 1-2 months to germinate in average conditions which is favorable for their growth. 

When the seedlings are between the second set of leaves and the third, they can be transferred to new pots or directly to the soil.

For container gardening, select a pot with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Choose a pot with good drainage when planting young Star Jasmine, and put the root ball on approximately the same level as in its current container.

Water the plant well and then put the pot where the plant will be able to get the right amount of sun. Fertilize the plant and water again, then put the pot in a suitable place where it can get enough sunshine.

A plant needs repotting every two or three years or when the roots fill up the container. To repot, select a container with the next size up, carefully transfer the plant from its present container, and place it in new potting compost and water thoroughly.

Star Jasmine, in most cases, is considered to be rather resistant to many factors which can detriment their growth, however, any living plant is a potential host to pests and disease. 

1. Aphids: These small insects feed directly on plant sap, and this causes distortion of the plant. They are preferably managed using insecticidal soap, neem oil, or by washing the plant using water at high pressure.

2. Spider Mites: These are very small insects that form stippling on the leaves and defoliation could occur usually. There are many ways of controlling spider mites, and some of them include frequent use of mister, high humidity/ moisture, and the use of miticides.

3. Whiteflies: These tiny, white ostrich-winged bugs are found clinging to the undersurface of the leaves. Control methods include using yellow sticky traps for monitoring and capturing insects, insecticidal soap, and neem oil.

4. Scale: Scale Insects make them look small, and round, with raised spots on the stems and leaves of plants. It is also possible to pick them off by hand or apply horticultural oil that suffocates the pests.

If you strictly follow all the above-mentioned care instructions, then you will be able to grow and maintain a great lush and blooming Star Jasmine look and feel for your garden or indoor setting.