Pink Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) Indoor Care, Propagation and Problems

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Botanical name: Jasminum polyanthum
Family: Oleaceae
Common names: Pink Jasmine, Winter Jasmine, Star Jasmine, French Perfume, Chinese Jasmine, Manyflowered Jasmine

Description

Pink Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) also called Winter Jasmine, Star Jasmine, French Perfume or Chinese Jasmine is a vigorously growing climbing flowering houseplant which bears fragrant flowers in clusters.

Winter Jasmine is mainly grown for the characteristic fragrance of its flowers. Also, it is rarely attacked by diseases and pests.

There are several Jasmines that can be grown as houseplants. The most popular ones have white blooms with a delicious fragrance.

Jasminum polyanthum, (Pink Jasmine) whose pale rosy buds open into starry white flowers borne in groups of 20 or more is the easiest to grow.

The species name, 'polyanthum', means many-flowered in reference to the numerous starry white flowers which also give this plant the common name, 'Manyflowered Jasmine'.

Size

Chinese Jasmine is an easy-care vigorous climber and the stems can reach 10 ft if left unpruned. It requires bright light, moist soil at all times and support for the stems.

It can be grown on a trellis, in a hanging basket or even on a fence where the stems can grow freely.

Related Plants

Jasminum officinale, (White Jasmine) is another common Jasmine that can be grown indoors. It bears twining stems, much divided leaves and long-tubullar white flowers with a strong fragrance.

Jasminum primulinum, (Primrose Jasmine) is the odd one out in that the yellow flowers are non-fragrant, and the stems do not twine. The flowers are semi-double with 6 or more petals.

Origin

Jasminum polyanthum (Pink Jasmine) is native to southeastern China.

Toxicity

Pink Jasmine plants are non-toxic to humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. Pink Jamine plants are safe to grow indoors.

Where to Buy

Pink Jasmine plants are readily available online at Etsy.

Buy Pink Jasmine online from Etsy Shops

Jasminum polyanthum Care Indoors

Pink Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) does well in bright light with some direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

Jasminum polyanthum has no need for frequent repotting as it blooms best when pot-bound. Regular pruning is necessary to keep it neat and also encourage a bushy growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.

Watering

Water Pink Jasmine thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 1-2 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moist at all times.

Cut down on watering during the cold period as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Ensure the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of the plant.

Light Requirements

Pink Jasmine grows best in bright light with some direct sunlight. It will not bloom if the light is not enough.

Where the natural lighting is too low, consider using grow lights to supplement it Check out these link to Amazon for full spectrum grow lights..

Temperature and Humidity

Pink Jasmine thrives in an average warmth between 18-24⁰C during the growing season. Keep it cool at about 15⁰C during the dormancy period (cold season).

Keep the Winter Jasmine away from cold and hot draughts to prevent sudden changes in temperatures as they can cause leaf drop.

Pink Jasmine has no need for high humidity; average room humidity is ideal for the plant. However, where the air is too dry, set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity or grow the plant in a brightly lit bathroom or other moist areas in the home.

Fertilizer

Feed Pink Jasmine with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season to promote flowering. Do not feed during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time.

Potting Mix

The best potting medium for Pink Jasmine should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Multi-purpose potting mixes leke this multipurpose potting mix available on Amazon are ideal for the French Perfume.

Repotting

Repot Pink Jasmine once a year at the beginning of the growing season only when the plant is pot-bound as it blooms best when slightly pot-bound.

Use a pot 1 size larger than the current one and one that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from becoming soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease. Check out these Flower Pots with Multi Mesh Drainage Holes on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning Pink Jasmine is easy. Remove dead flowers and leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy as well as discourage pests and diseases.

Pinch off the growing tips to encourage compact growth and prevent the plant from getting unruly.

After flowering, cut back the stems to rejuvenate growth and to keep the plant compact.

Propagation

Pink Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem-tip cuttings.

How to propagate Pink Jasmine from stem-tip cuttings

Take a 4-5 stem-tip cuttings from a healthy Pink Jasmine plant. Strip off the lower leaves.

Insert the cuttings in moist free-draining soil and place the set up in a warm, well-lit spot away from direct sunlight.

Maintain the soil moist through out until the new plants are well established.

Allow the new Star Jasmine plants to be well established before transplanting after which routine care can begin.

Jasminum polyanthum Problems

Pink Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) problems include yellow leaves, leaf drop, flowerbud drop, lack of blooms, pests and diseases. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Curling leaves

Pink Jasmine curling leaves are due to the air being too dry (too low humidity); you need to raise air humidity to prevent the leaf curl To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.

Pests

Pink Jasmine is prone aphids and spider mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it with appropriate products like Neem oil or Insecticidal soap.

Diseases

Pink Jasmine diseases are related to poor cultural practices. The common diseases are leaf spot and leaf rust. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the diseases.

Losing (dropping) leaves

Loss (dropping) of leaves in Pink Jasmine is due to two possible reasons. One possible cause of loss (dropping) of leaves is incorrect watering; either underwatering or overwatering.

Water the Star Jasmine liberally during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out slightly to maintain it consistently moist but not soggy.

Decrease watering in the cold period and keep the soil slightly moist but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.

The second possible cause of loss (dropping) of leaves in Pink Jasmine is sudden drop in temperature due to cold drafts.

Keep Chinese Jasmine away from cold drafts like breezy windows and doors to maintain an average room warmth.

Dropping flowerbuds

Dropping flowerbuds in Pink Jasmine are due to three possible reasons. One possible reason is underwatering.

Maintain the soil consistently moist during the growing season and slightly moist in the cold season but never allow the soil to dry out completely.

The second possible reason for dropping flowerbuds in Star Jasmine is underfeeding. Feed the plant every 2-3 weeks during the growing season with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer to promote flowering.

The third possible reasons for Winter Jasmine dropping flower buds is sudden change in temperature. Protect the plant from draughts to prevent sudden changes in the temperature and maintain an average warmth.

No blooms

Lack of blooms in Pink Jasmine is due to too little light. Star Jasmine blooms best when grown in bright light with some direct sunlight.

Position the plant in a brighter spot and ensure it is receiving bright light with some direct sunlight or instal a grow light where natural lighting is not adequate.

Yellowing and dropping leaves

Pink Jasmine yellowing and dropping leaves are due to overwatering or soggy soil which means too much water in the soil.

Keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season but not soggy and reduce watering in the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist.

Always ensure that the soil is free-draining and that pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.