Madagascar jasmine: care | Gardening On

The Madagascar jasmine is a very beautiful climber: it has dark green leaves that remain on the plant for months, until little by little they are renewed by new ones; and when summer arrives, it produces numerous white flowers that not only smell good but are also very reminiscent of those that other vines have, such as Jasminum or the Trachelospermum jasminoides. But the care it needs is not exactly the same as we would give these plants.

And it is that due to its origin, it is very sensitive to cold, which is why in temperate regions it is grown as an indoor plant. So, if that’s your case, We are going to explain what the care of Madagascar jasmine is.

Where to locate the jasmine of Madagascar?

It is a plant very sensitive to cold, which needs mild temperatures throughout the year. During the winter it is important that it stays between 10 and 20ºC, although it can hold up to 5ºC as long as it is for a short time and happens punctually; on the contrary, in summer it should be kept below 35ºC, with the ideal maximum temperature being 25-30ºC.

If we take this into account, the best thing to do is either keep it indoors at all times, in a room where there is a lot of light, or take it outside, taking it to a place protected from direct sunlight when the weather begins to improve. In addition, it is convenient that the environmental humidity is high; if it is not, you will have to spray its leaves with rainwater or distilled water daily.

When and how to water it?

The Stephanotis floribundawhich is how botanists call it, is a plant that does not have to be watered too much or too little. This means that you have to control the risks a lot, avoiding both frequently pouring water and never doing it. Therefore, I recommend that you do the following:

• Water about 3 times a week in summer, and the rest of the year reduce the frequency of irrigation and the earth remains moist longer. During the winter you may only need to water once a week, or even every two weeks. Everything will depend on the temperatures and humidity in the room where you have it. To find out, you can get a soil moisture meter, although from my own experience I also recommend having a home weather station such as this, since this way you can take better care of your plants.
• Every time you water, pour the water into the soil, and do it until it comes out of the drainage holes of the pot. This is very important, because sometimes we make the mistake of pouring only one glass and this will not help if the pot is large, because the roots will not hydrate well.
• Do not plant it in a pot without holes. These types of containers should only be used for aquatic plants, and Madagascar jasmine is not. Putting it there means running the risk of its roots rotting in a short time, since the water remains stagnant.
• If you are going to put a plate under it, remember to drain it after each watering. This prevents it from rotting.

When to pay it?

It is highly recommended to pay it during spring and summersince that is when it is growing and blooming. With this, it is achieved that it grows somewhat faster, and that it remains healthier. To do this, fertilizers for flowering plants can be applied to stimulate the production of flowers such as this, or fertilizers such as guano which is natural and suitable for organic farming.

But in any case, we recommend that they be liquid products, or alternatively nails that are introduced into the ground and are released little by little as these. This makes it more difficult for an overdose to occur, provided that the instructions for use are followed.

When is Madagascar jasmine planted?

It depends a lot on the care we give it, the weather and how fast our plant grows. Therefore, it is a bit risky to say that the pot must be changed every year or every two for example, since your specimen may need it, but mine may not. So, The best we can do is to see from time to time if the roots come out of the holes in it, and if so, then transplant it to a larger one.. But how big?

Again: it depends. Usually, it has to be planted in one that measures about 5 to 10 centimeters wider and higher than the previous one. In addition, you must use a good, quality substrate that is light and that drains the water well, such as Flower or the Westland.

What to do to make it bloom?

In addition to everything we have explained so far, it is very important that you do not neglect yourself. It is a plant that does not resist drought, nor direct sun, so you have to control the irrigation and put it in a room where, yes, there is a lot of light, but that does not give it directly otherwise its leaves would burn.

It is also not good to have it in the same pot throughout its life. It’s not that it’s a very big climber, but the roots need room to grow, and if they run out of it, the Madagascar jasmine will stop blooming.

Can you have it outside?

If you live in an area where the weather is warm all year round and never freezes, then yes. You simply have to protect it from direct sunlight and take care of it as we have explained so far, with the difference that it could be planted in the ground and fertilized with powdered fertilizers, such as manure or earthworm humus that you can buy. here!.

Otherwise, it is only recommended to have it outside during spring and summer, in semi-shade. You have the option of planting it in the garden if you want, but do it with the pot so that you can take it out before the cold arrives.

We hope these tips have been helpful to you.