Characteristics and care of Chinese jasmine

Chinese jasmine is a true wonder. It produces small but very fragrant flowers that do not leave anyone indifferent. It is perfect in any corner as long as it is in direct sunlight, and it does not need much to be and stay well.

However, if you want to have it perfect (and not just good) I recommend you keep reading. So you will discover everything you need to know to take care of your precious plant.

Origin and characteristics of Chinese jasmine

Our protagonist is a plant native to China that is known by the names Chinese jasmine, China jasmine and winter jasmine. Its scientific name is Jasminum polyanthum. It is a climber that has deciduous or evergreen leaves depending on the climate. These are opposite, formed by 5-9 dark green leaves. The flowers appear in spring distributed in panicles and are white on the inside and pink on the outside.

It has a fairly fast growth ratebut if at any time we have to prune it to control it, we can do it without problems at any time of the year except when it blooms.

What care do you need?

If you are going to get a specimen of Chinese jasmine, we recommend giving it the following care:

Location

Where to put Chinese jasmine? In fact, being a plant that tolerates pruning and is not very badly affected by frosts as long as they are weak, it is highly recommended to have outside. In an area with partial shade it will grow wonderfully. Of course, in places where there is no light, it will not be able to grow well.

On the other hand, you must bear in mind that its roots are not invasive. This is great, since if you have it in the garden you can plant other plants near it without having to worry about them. In fact, it could be interesting to plant this jasmine and another similar climber, such as the Trachelospermum jasminoidesnext to a lattice or pergola to cover it.

Soil or substrate

It is not demanding, but it is important that you have good drainage as it does not tolerate waterlogging. Anyway, in case of doubt we recommend:

• For flowerpot: use universal substrate, or if you prefer mulch. You can mix it with 30% perlite, or add a first layer of arlite.
• For garden: the soil in the garden must be fertile, and must not be compacted.

Irrigation

Irrigation should be moderate, but always taking into account the characteristics of the climate of the area. Thus, if temperatures exceed 30 degrees in summer and also in that season it rains nothing or almost nothing, it will be necessary to water quite often as the land will dry out quickly. On the other hand, in winter, with the drop in temperatures, the Chinese jasmine will stop growing, so it will need less water since the earth will also remain humid for longer.

At the time of watering, pour water until you see that the soil is well moistened. If you have it in a pot, it is highly advisable not to put a plate under it, but if you want to put it on, remember to remove the remaining water 10-20 minutes after watering.

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During the entire growing season, that is, from spring to summer, it can be fertilized with egg and banana peels, tea bags, or with other Organic fertilizers like guano.

If you prefer, it is also interesting to use fertilizers that are sold ready to use, such as one for green plants (on sale here!) or another for flower plants (for sale here!).

Planting or transplanting time

Do you want to plant it in the garden? If so, the best time to do it is in springin particular when the risk of frost has been left behind.

If you have it in a pot and you see that the roots are coming out, or the substrate seems to be very worn, you can also plant it in a larger one in that season.

Pruning

In winter a cleaning pruning will be doneremoving dead, diseased or broken branches, and those that have been crossed or that have grown too much. Throughout the year, the branches that need it can be clipped, that is, they can be trimmed a little by removing the most tender leaves.

Use clean scissors to prevent infection.

Multiplication

Chinese jasmine is a plant that multiplied by leafy semi-hardwood cuttings in late summerand by suckers in spring.

Rusticity

Withstands frosts up to -5ºC. If you live in an area where the climate is colder, you can keep it in a greenhouse or even indoors.

What uses is it given?

Image – Wikimedia / Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz

Chinese jasmine is a beautiful plant that used to decorate. Being a climber, it is very interesting to cover lattices, pergolas, dry tree trunks, walls or walls of low height, …

As if that were not enough, it can also be worked as bonsai. And it is that over time it comes to form a beautiful trunk which can thicken if it is pruned regularly, giving it a bonsai style definite.

What did you think of the Chinese jasmine?