Jasmine has an unmistakable aroma that often enchants everyone who perceives it. It has a pleasant smell that quickly connects us with nature. If you also like jasmine and want to have it in your home, then don’t hesitate to keep reading.
No matter what time of year you are, if you like jasmine you should learn to take care of it so that it can flourish and delight you with its aroma and flowers. No matter the type of jasmine you choose, you can enjoy these flowers in white or yellow, as well as star-shaped and with a magical fragrance. With good care, you can have an impressive plant throughout the year. We will explain how to take care of your jasmine plant in your garden with this simple guide.
Characteristics of the jasmine plant
These are the main characteristics of jasmine :
- Its scientific name is Jasminum officinale and it is a climbing plant that has its origin in the tropical areas of Asia, Europe, and Africa.
- One of its main characteristics is its great ornamental value and its rich aroma, hence it is one of the most commonly used species of climbers in gardens; both public and private.
- Usually, it reaches up to 5 meters high, and its flowers are presented in beautiful inflorescences of white or yellow, depending on the species.
- Another characteristic is that there are no known pests and diseases of jasmine that are serious for its growth and development. Therefore, there are pests and diseases that attack jasmine and can weaken it, but they do not usually harm it until it is finished.
Next, we will talk about how the jasmine plant is cared for in the ground, whether in a garden or in a field.
Climate for the jasmine plant
Jasmine is a plant that varies its behavior depending on the climate. Therefore, depending on it, it can behave both as an evergreen species and as a deciduous one.
In the same way, to achieve optimal growth, it is better to plant in an environment with a mild climate , without high temperatures and that these do not drop below -3 ºC, as it does not withstand strong frosts well .
Light and location of the jasmine plant
Jasmine is a plant that requires direct sunlight , but not continuously. Being a plant typical of hot climates, it is grateful to be located in a place where sunlight reaches it directly during a good part of the day to increase its flowering.
In the same way, it can also develop without receiving direct sunlight, although, in most cases this lowers the volume of flowering, although not its growth.
Therefore, if you wonder where jasmine should be planted, it is best to do it in a part of the garden where it touches the wall or another vertical surface, so that it can climb it, and that it is a place with enough solar incidence along of the day.
Watering the jasmine plant
As with most flowering plants, it is very important to water it regularly, especially during spring and summer. In fact, in summer it is not unreasonable to water this plant more than twice a day. In winter, on the other hand, we recommend that you water it only when you notice that the soil has begun to dry out.
Substrate and compost from the jasmine plant
Jasmine adapts without problems to all types of soils, but if possible, you should avoid planting it in clay-type soils. In addition, it needs a good universal substrate for its development and fertilizes during the months before flowering. ¿ What is the best fertilizer for Jasmine? The truth is that we always recommend organic ones. You should also make sure to offer good drainage, as this plant does not tolerate puddles.
Jasmine pruning
Jasmine is a plant that needs a specific pruning depending on the climate and place where it is found. Therefore, below we are going to explain when and how to prune a jasmine :
- In winter we must always prune after the first flowering. Normally, this also coincides with when it ends in winter to avoid possible frosts. Pruning must be strong to strengthen it and increase its flowering in spring.
- In summer, a light pruning is recommended after the first flowering. Here you should carry out a more superficial pruning, leaving between two and three buds. This will ensure that your jasmine will bloom again the following year.
- Our advice is that you do not be afraid to use pruning shears. Remember that it is very important that this climbing plant is always neat so that the strongest branches grow and widen each season.
What you should not do to take care of a jasmine
There are a few things in jasmine care that you should avoid at all costs. If for any reason you carry out any of these actions, it is decisive that you stop doing it because otherwise you will be risking the health of the plant and it is very likely that it will end up dying.
- Adding too much organic nitrogen or fertilizer: this would only direct the energy to the growing foliage and away from the shoots, so the plant would be out of balance and it may not hold as much fertilizer and end up dying.
- Keep jasmine in small areas with little ventilation: this plant requires good air circulation to be able to stay healthy and radiant all the time. If you want your jasmine to be healthy, then you shouldn’t be short of clean air.
- Exposing the plant to extreme cold: Jasmine does not like cold because it is a subtropical plant and thrives in warmer climates. If you have to endure too cold climates, then you could die. If you live in an area where it is cold, it is best that you put the pot inside your home and that you can choose a warm and protected area outdoors.
My jasmine’s branches and leaves dry up, what do I do?
If your jasmine has dry branches and leaves , this is the first sign that it is suffering from severe dehydration . For this reason, we recommend that you water it a lot , especially during the summer, since its roots tolerate high levels of humidity.
During the summer water it twice a day and make sure it has a rich soil, with around 75% topsoil and 25% peat, and that it is well drained. Also, if possible, avoid direct sunlight for too many hours at a time, as jasmine needs a lot of sunlight but does not tolerate continuous strong sunlight well. Thus, if you see that it dries up, apart from watering it, find an area with less direct sun .
As you can see, the jasmine plant is not difficult to grow if you put a little effort into its care. It is a plant that needs a lot of affection and, above all, does not forget the doses of water it needs regularly. Remember that it is a plant that in addition to loving fresh air, although not cold, also needs a space where the sun is good to be able to have enough energy to grow and flourish. If you like jasmine and want to enjoy it in your home garden, don’t forget all these tips to get good results.
