Growing and Caring for Jasmine

Jasmine—also known as Jessamine—is a favorite garden plant, beloved around the world for its lovely fragrance and beautiful, delicate flowers. True jasmines are members of the Jasminum family of the genus Oleaceae, making it a member of the olive family. Jasminum is a botanical family with over 200 members found in the tropical and sub-tropical zones of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Many of these have been introduced to the Americas as garden plants and have since gone feral. Jasmines can add a lot to many garden space and may prove useful in your landscaping plans. So, let’s dig in and learn a bit more about this beautiful aromatic plant!

Jasmine, Jasminum, and Similar Plants

Let’s start with a disclaimer: these “true” jasmines should not be confused with other plants of similar name, such as Night-blooming jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum) or Star jasmine/Confederate jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides). These plants are beautiful and fragrant, with a superficial similarity to Jasminums, but they’re distinct and worthy of their own article.

The most typical garden jasmine is Jasminum officinale, also known as common jasmine, poet’s jasmine, or true jasmine. This is an evergreen perennial plant which is notable for its long and wide ranging vines; some varietals can reach up to 40 feet/12 meters in length and spread up to 15 feet/4.5 meters wide! The flowers may be white or pink and are around 1 inch/2.5cm in diameter, and their fragrance is one of the most desirable parts of the plant—one healthy jasmine vine can lend a wonderful aroma to an entire garden. They’re also much loved by pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, making them a versatile addition to a garden that adds both visual and olfactory interest.

Growing and Caring for Jasmine

Common jasmine and its relatives are generally fairly easy plants to grow. Drought-tolerant, they thrive in moist, well-drained soil. While they prefer a light-textured soil with plenty of organic matter, they will tolerate a relatively wide variety of soil conditions. Likewise, they grow best in full sun but will do well in partial shade. Jasmine is cold-tolerant up to zone 7, so care must be taken in more extreme climates. However, Jasmine does well indoors in containers, although careful pruning must take place regularly and it will need a support to grow on. As another bonus to the home gardener, jasmine has relatively few insect or disease issues, although aphids and mealy bugs make take up residence occasionally. Regular inspection should help keep them under control.

Jasmine grows aggressively, so regular prunings are a must to keep the plant producing its trademark blooms. Pruning is best done with pair of clean, sharp shears after the blossoms fade; as blossoms only appear on new growth a relatively hard pruning is best for more established plants.

Using Jasmine at Home

Jasmine is much more than a decorative landscaping plant—its flowers have many uses and take a prominent rule in many cultures worldwide. Floral cuttings from the jasmine plant are wonderful additions to a flower arrangement, adding an additional sensory element with their beautiful scent. Jasmine has been used in the production of perfumes, aromatic oils, and incenses for centuries due to its iconic fragrance; while we’re not experts on those things they might be something to explore. Jasmine flowers play a starring role in jasmine tea. First made in China, these green teas are made with jasmine flowers, giving them a delightful flavor and aroma. (Note: if you’re going to make jasmine tea at home with your own jasmine flowers, make absolutely sure you’ve identified the plant correctly!).

Jasmine also has symbolic importance. In Hawaii, they are often used in the traditional lei. Jasmine flowers are used in religious ceremonies and weddings across Southeast Asia, and they are the official flower of both the Philippines and Pakistan.  There’s much more to say about these plants, but we don’t have the space here and doing your own research is part of the fun of gardening!

We do hope you’ll try growing jasmine at home. As a landscaping feature it can serve as either ground cover or grown over a trellis or pergola. It adds a wonderful multi-sensory character to any garden or landscape, and it supports insects and wildlife. We’d love to see and hear about your garden jasmine, so get in touch!