Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) Care Guide

This delightful evergreen show-stopper is one of our favourite climbers and our most frequently specified climber for our contemporary and Mediterranean garden designs.

Not only do they look stunning, their delicate white aromatic flowers will cascade down upon you the fragrance of jasmine evoking the sense of a Mediterranean garden. What’s more, their shiny, dark green leaves create a perfect evergreen backdrop for their white flowers.

The new foliage is bright green and turns dark as it matures, so the foliage has a stunning, textured look.

Not only is this a spectacular fragrant, evergreen climbing plant is, it is also very easy to care for. Star jasmine is generally not fussy about its conditions, and is practically pest free! What more could you ask for from such a stunning plant?

Light

Star jasmine grows well in full sun or partly-shaded areas.

The more sunlight it is exposed to the more flowers it will produce, so if you desire a plethora of flowers make sure to plant it in a spot that receives lots of sun.

It will require at least 8 hours of sunlight to be able to produce its delicate blooms.

Insufficient exposure to sunlight over a long period of time may lead to spindling and yellowing leaves that lack lustre.

Soil

Star jasmine isn't too fussy about its soil conditions, however, it will achieve optimum growth loose, fertile and moderately moist soil that is well drained.

They have a root system that is not resistant to waterlogging, so it is essential that the soil is free-draining to maintain good root health. If you're growing star jasmine to use as ground cover, space them out at least 5 feet apart in order to avoid over-crowding.

It will also grow well in a variety of different pH conditions, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.

If you are growing Star Jasmine in a container, such as terracotta, they are best planted into John Innes No 3 potting compost. This compost has ideal water holding capacity and aeration, providing the perfect environment for a healthy root system and sustaining longer plant life.

If you keep your star jasmine well-watered, it will produce healthy leaves and flowers and spread quicker.

Although star jasmine is not a massive consumer of water, being evergreen it will require a consistent watering schedule.

As a general rule, if the top inch of soil feels dry then it’s time to water, depending on the weather, you should be watering once a week. During the height of summer increase the watering frequency to stop your plant from drying up. Allow the soil to dry out in between waterings.

If you are growing your star jasmine in a container then it will dry out quicker and therefore requires more frequent watering.

Fertilizer

Generally, the application of fertilizer is not essential but if your star jasmine is showing signs of nutrient-deficiency, for example, the leaves are yellowing, you can apply a balanced slow-release general NPK fertiliser in the spring and then re-apply as appropriate as per the instructions of your chosen slow-release fertiliser (most are every 6 months) to help encourage flowering.

It is not necessary to apply fertiliser in winter.

If you would like a spectacular display of blooms, use a phosphate-potassium fertilizer and less nitrogen fertilizer.

Pruning

Generally, star jasmine is a low-maintenance plant demanding little attention once established, needing pruning only to control growth (for example if it's infringing on a nearby house or structure).

The much rarer variegated varieties may need to be pruned to encourage more new leaves to grow. Flowers and leaves mainly appear on the young leaves, while those on the older leaves will gradually disappear. Usually you can remove the terminal tips of young sprouts to encourage your plant to produce more side branches and grow compactly.

If you want to grow star jasmine into shapes, such as garden arches, flower walls, flower racks, or trimmed hedges, pruning is advised. It will germinate well and can be trimmed throughout the year.

The optimum time to trim is during their winter dormancy. Be careful not to over-prune in spring, as you may cut off flower buds which will reduce the quantity of blooms that you’ll get.

Propagating Star Jasmine

Star jasmine can be propagated by taking stem cuttings from a healthy and established parent plant.

Take a 4-inch cutting from just below a node.

Dip the cut-end of the piece in rooting hormone powder, then place them upright in free-draining soil into a pot (max 1 litre pot) in a protected area until it has formed a root system. Once the root system is established, it can be planted outside.

Cover your planter with a plastic dome or plastic bag to help keep the moisture in and place it in a warm area such as a conservatory.

It is important to keep the soil moist. Within about three to four weeks, you should see roots developing.

At this point your plant is ready to be planted up into a larger pot before eventually being moved into the garden a few weeks later.

Our Design ideas how to feature your Star Jasmine

Although these can still look stunning, they are rather limited in terms of design.

In our project work we have growers that produce them for us in far more extensive and innovative styles. Our two favourites are the Trachelopsernum arches for a grand entrance...

And if you want real impact they can be supplied on a 1.8 x 1.2 frame for immediate natural privacy screening.

Instant Natural Garden Privacy Screening with Star Jasmine