Jasmine Plant Indoor Care

Anyone who owns a jasmine plant will agree that its name derivation of Jasmine from the Persian word yasmin, which means gift from God, holds true. With its fragrant cluster of white to cream flowers nestled among glossy bright green leaves, combined with very little care, it has been for long listed as a favorite houseplant as well as a garden plant. Jasmine plant varieties include over 200 natural and cultivated species, and is a genus of shrubs and vines in the Oleaceae (olive) family. Jasmine is native to Asia, Africa and Europe. Botanically jasmine is known as Jasminum polyanthum and grows very well in tropical conditions. Jasmine has many uses, and is almost as important as the marigold flower when it comes to traditional weddings and religious functions in Asia. Jasmine tea is also very popular among herbal tea enthusiasts.

Depending upon its species, a jasmine will grow as a small plant, a shrub or a climber with woody vines. The jasmine is an evergreen plant with some varieties being deciduous in nature. The leaves are glossy, about 2 - 3 inches long, arranged opposite, simple and collectively in a tri-foliate or pinnate pattern with four to nine leaflets. The flowers are scented and as opposed to the normal norm of having four corolla lobes petals like most flowers in its genera in the Oleceae family, it has more than five lobes, some having nine too. Both flowers and petals are used to make garlands and other ornamentation. The jasmine plant will grow anywhere between 10 - 15 feet with a 4 - 6 feet spread.

Unlike other jasmine flowers, the winter jasmine flower is yellow in color. Native to China, it was introduced to Britain in 1845 by Robert Fortune, a Scottish botanist and traveler. The stems of the winter jasmine plant are a bright green that nestle clusters of tiny bright yellow blooms in winter. They are propagated around May to July and flower between December and March. Jasmine plants are hardy plants and gardening of these can be done in varied soils. They make for popular creeping vines that can be used to adorn walls, fences, trellis or dropped from hanging pots.

How to Care for Indoor Jasmine Plants

Jasmine is a highly adaptive plant that does well with minimal care. Jasmine can be easily propagated through cuttings. Take healthy cuttings and dip one end in the rooting solution and plant it in the soil either in the ground, or a pot. Start cutting during summer and spring, preferably during the period of June to October and not around winter season.

How to Plant Jasmine
They grow well in regular garden soil, that is mildly fertilized and capable of retaining moderate amounts of moisture. Soils that are heavy and retain excess moisture making it soggy, damage the plant's flower-bearing capacity and wilt the leaves. For growing jasmine indoors, it is preferable to plant them in loam-based potting compost. Take a container or a pot that would support its eventual size, that you would wish to keep. Fill the container ¾ with soil, and plant the jasmine rooted cuttings in it. Add the top soil mixed with some organic compost to the container. Water well, allow the pot to stand still to drain excess water out. After this, move it to its intended location. Don't forget to place a water plate beneath your pot as you do not want to stain your windows sills or flooring.

Guide for Growing Jasmine Plants
Adequate light for indoor growth is another important aspect for their steady growth and a good flower show. Place the jasmine plant in full light but not in direct sun. They are even tolerant of partial shade or very bright filtered light. At all times, the jasmine plant should receive at least 4 - 6 hours of direct sun or filtered light. Water freely in the growing season and sparingly in the winters. Protect your plat from harsh winter dry spells by moving it away from the wind path, and also mulch to keep the roots and soil warm.

Jasmine shrubs and vines should be trained when they are young; stalks, trellis and support should be provided as per the intended shape and size. One can train the jasmine vine to trail downwards from a hanging pot. A young jasmine should be pinched from the tops to facilitate lateral growth and control overall growth. Hard pruning can be done to reshape a plant or give adequate light and air movement to an entangled or bushy plant. Add fertilizer that has a healthy but moderate dose of phosphorous and potassium, twice in year; once after annual pruning, and again before the onset of the flowering season. Phosphorus stimulates root growth, and promotes leaf and flower bud growth, and potassium provides the flowers and leaves with carbohydrates and proteins to make them healthy. To ensure proper jasmine plant care, avoid fertilizing completely during fall and winter, as the plant is in a semi- dormant stage at this time. A common jasmine plant disease is the powdery mildew, which can be easily controlled with a fungicide spray. Another disease noticed on jasmine stems are small to large, brown or black lesions that spread quite rapidly, and have known to kill the plant. Immediately prune and burn such stems, and spray specific fungicide and germicide to control its spread.

Plant care also includes re-potting, as and when the plant overgrows the pot and only in spring. Jasmine flower releases its fragrance at night, after the sun has set and is usually picked early morning. Compared to the flower, it is the buds that are more fragrant. So go on and enjoy the sweet fragrance all day and yearlong!