Jasmine Plant

Native to some of the tropical regions of the world, jasmine plants belong to the genus Jasminum and family Oleaceae. There are around 200 species of these plants in this genus and most of them are vines. But there are some shrubs too. These plants are originally from Asia, Africa and Europe, growing there due to the tropical and warm temperate climate. It is believed that the term jasmine is derived from the Persian word 'yasmin', which means 'gift from god'. They are widely grown as houseplants and are most often seen as climbers on other plants or on fences and trellises.

Some Jasmine Plant Facts

Jasmine is one of the most popular houseplants. This plant is also commercially cultivated in many parts of the world, for its flowers, which is used for making garlands, flavoring tea by using it with either a green tea base or an Oolong base, in perfumes and soaps, in Ayurvedic medicines and essential oil. Jasmine plants are often confused with other similar plants. This is because, flowers of various plants resemble jasmine flowers in looks and fragrance. True jasmine plants belong to the family Oleaceae and can be either shrubs or vines with evergreen or deciduous leaves. The leaves are mostly simple, trifoliate or pinnate with 5 - 9 leaflets and the flowers are tubular with five to six lobes. The stems of this plant are slender and trailing, with some species having four-sided stems. Most of these plants produce white flowers, but, some varieties have cream and yellow flowers too. The size and shape of the flowers can vary with the particular species. For example, Jasminium sambac produces clustered flowers. Usually, jasmine plants bloom in summer and fall.

Some of the popular jasmine plant varieties are common jasmine that produces white flowers; winter variety with yellow flowers; Arabian jasmine, which is used for making jasmine tea; South African jasmine with unscented white flowers; Italian jasmine with clusters of yellow flowers that bloom throughout the summer; primrose jasmine (shrub) with yellow unscented flowers; Spanish Jasmine with fragrant white flowers and Downy Jasmine with clustered and scented white flowers.

How to Grow Jasmine Plants

The best season for planting jasmine is between June and November. You need well-drained, moist soil and full sun (or partial shade ) for planting jasmine. It must get at least four to five hours of full sun for growing well. If you want to plant more than one plant in your garden, plant them at least eight feet apart. While watering is very necessary in summer, only mild fertilizers have to be applied during spring. During other seasons, watering can be done once every ten days. Weeding and fertilizing should be a part of regular jasmine plant care. However, fertilizers with phosphorous and potassium have to be applied twice every year - once after annual pruning and once in June or July.

This is only a brief overview about jasmine plants. If you don't have one in your garden, get a plant from a nearby nursery and make your indoors or garden fragrant.