Pink Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) Indoor Care; Watering, Light, Propagation, Problems

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Jasminum polyanthum also called Winter Jasmine, Star Jasmine, French Perfume or Chinese Jasmine is among easy-care flowering plants and features characteristic, fragrant flowers which occur in clusters and has a high resistance to pests and diseases.

There are several Jasmines that can be grown as in the home. The most popular ones have white blooms with a delicious fragrance. The easiest to grow is Jasminum polyanthum (Pink Jasmine), whose pale rosy buds open into starry, white flowers borne in groups of 20 or more.

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'.

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

Origin

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

Size

Chinese Jasmine is a vigorous climber whose stems can reach 10 feet if left unpruned. It can be grown on a trellis, in a hanging basket or even on a fence where the stems can grow freely.

Related Jasminum Plants

Jasminum officinale, (White Jasmine) is another common Jasmine that can be grown indoors. It bears twining stems, much divided leaves and long-tubular, 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.

Is Pink Jasmine toxic to pets?

No. Pink Jasmine plants are non-toxic to humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. Pink Jamine plants are safe for cats, dogs and other pests.

Where to Buy

If you are looking to add these plants to your collection, you may acquire Pink Jasmine from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to care for Jasminum polyanthum indoors

To care for Jasminum polyanthum indoors, provide bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 18-24⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

Pink Jasmine 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 your Pink Jasmine thoroughly in spring and summer while allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil consistently but not soggy to avoid rotting stems, yellowing and drooping leaves, and leaf drop.

Cut down on watering in fall and winter since growth is reduced at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely to prevent stunted growth., ilting, drooping, yellowing, and dry and crispy leaves.

Use room temperature as consistently watering with cold water will result in slowed growth and leaf loss. Only use chlorine-free water to prevent browning of leaf edges.

Ensure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to avoid getting soggy soil which can lead to root-rot and eventual death of the plant. Take care not to wet the foliage to reduce fungal diseases.

Light Requirements

Pink Jasmine thrives in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of morning or late afternoon sunshine. Keep it away frpm hot midday sun to prevent scorching of leaves.

It will not bloom if the light is not enough. Therefore, where the natural lighting is too low, use grow lights to complement it.

Monthly give the pot a quarter turn, to ensure the plant receives adequate light on all sides to promote even growth and prevent the plant from getting leggy.

Temperature & Humidity

Pink Jasmine prefers a warmth of 18-24⁰C during the growing season. Keep it cool at about 15⁰C during the dormancy period (cold season).

Keep Winter Jasmine away from sources of drafts to prevent sudden changes in temperatures which can cause reduced growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

Pink Jasmine has no need for extra humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this plant. However, if the air is too dry, the plant will respond with curling leaves and brown leaf tips. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, group the plants together or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom and other moist areas in the home. Ensure good air flow to discourage fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed your Pink Jasmine with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks in spring and summer to promote flowering. Avoid too much fertilizer as it can lead to leggy growth. Do not feed in fall and winter to prevent fertilizer burn as growth is minimal at this time.

Potting Soil

The best potting medium for Pink Jasmine should be a well-aerated, free-draining, fertile soil. A mix of 50% potting soil, 30% perlite or sand and 20% peat moss or coco coir is a good choise for this plant.

Repotting

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

Use a pot 1 size larger that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from becoming soggy as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Pink Jasmine is easy:

• Remove dead flowers and leaves to maintain the plant 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, cutback the stems to rejuvenate growth and to keep the plant compact. Use sterilized pruning scissors to avoid spreading diseases between the plants.

Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also minimize pests and diseases infestations.

Jasminum polyanthum Propagation

Jasminum polyanthum is propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings.

Propagating Pink Jasmine from stem cuttings

1. With clean, sharp pruning scissors, take a 4-5 inches stem cuttings from a healthy plant and strip off the lower leaves.


2. Select a 6 or 8 inches pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to avoid rotting.


3. Fill the pot with well-drained, potting mix and moisten the soil slightly.


4. Make a hole in the center of the pot and ensure it is wider that the base of the cutting.


5. Insert 2 inches of the lower cut end of the cuttings in the hole made above and lightly firm the soil around.


6. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit spot away from direct sunlight.


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


8. Once the new plants are well established, transplant into pots one size larger after which you can begin routine care. For a fuller plant, transfer several cuttings into one pot.

Jasminum polyanthum Problems & Remedies

Pink Jasmine problems are plant dying, brown leaves, yellow leaves, dropping leaves, flowerbud drop, lack of blooms (flowers), curling leaves, pests and diseases. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Plant dying

Why is my Pink Jasmine dying?

Your Pink Jasmine is dying due to root-rot which is prevalent in soggy soil. It is characterized by yellowing and wilting of the leaves which is rapidly followed by browning and plant collapse.

How to revive Pink Jasmine

1. Carefully remove the plant from its pot and inspect the roots.


2. Trim brown-black, mushy roots and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution. Ensure to follow the manufacturer's directions on the label.


3. Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh well-draining soil.


4. Do not water the plant and keep it dry for some time before resuming watering


5. To prevent root-rot in the future, ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining.


6. Cut down on watering in fall and winter as growth is reduced at this time to maintain the soil slightly moist.

Lack blooms (flowers)

Why is my Pink Jasmine not blooming?

Your Jasminum polyanthum is not flowering due to little light or wrong fertilizer.

How to fix it

Little light: Position the plant in a brighter spot and ensure it is receiving bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or instal a grow light where natural lighting is not sufficient.

Wrong fertilizer: Do not feed with a Nitrogen-rich fertilizer as it promotes foliage growth at the expense of flowers. Feed every 2-3 weeks during the growing season with a phosphorous-rich fertilizer.

Dropping flowerbuds

Why do Pink Jasmine flowers fall off so quickly?

Dropping flowerbuds off Pink Jasmine is caused by underwatering, underfeeding or temperature stress.

How to fix it

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.

Underfeeding: Feed every 2-3 weeks in spring and summer with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts to maintain an average warmth of 18-24⁰C.

Brown leaves

Why are the leaves of my Pink Jasmine turning brown?

Some of the causes of brown leaves on your Pink Jasmine are are incorrect watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, hot direct sunlight or overfertilizing.

How to fix it

Incorrect watering: Water only when top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Never let the soil dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use a well-drained soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts emanating from AC units, windy doors, stoves and others.

Direct sunlight: Keep the plant away from hot direct sunlight to avoid scorching.

Overfertilizing: Feed every 2-3 weeks in the growing season.

Yellowing leaves

Why is my Pink Jasmine turning yellow?

The main causes of yellow leaves on your Pink Jasmine are overwatering, soggy soil or low light.

How to fix it

Overwatering: Do not water on a schedule. Water only when the top 1-2 inches feel dry.

Soggy soil: Ensure to use soil that is free-draining and a pot that has a drainage hole.

Low light: Position the plant infront of a large bright window or use a grow light to supplement insufficient natural light.

Dropping leaves

Why is my Pink Jasmine losing leaves?

Dropping leaves (leaf fall) in Pink Jasmine is caused by overwatering, underwatering or temperature stress.

How to fix it

Overwatering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out to maintain the soil consistently moist but not soggy.

Underwatering: Never allow the soil ball to dry out completely for a prolonged period.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts like breezy windows and doors, AC units, radiators and others to maintain a warmth 18-24⁰C.

Leggy growth

Leggy growth in Pink Jasmine is due to little light and too much fertilizer. Give the plant bright light with some morning sunshine and take care not to overfertilize.

Curling leaves

Curling leaves on Pink Jasmine are due to dry air. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together to create a humid microclimate.

Pests

Pink Jasmine is prone to aphids and spider mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as directed by the manufacturers.

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 plants and treat it with insecticidal soap.

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