Madagascar Jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda) Care Indoors; Watering, Fertilizer, Propagation, Problems
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Stephanotis floribunda also called Madagascar Jasmine, Hawaiian Wedding Flower, Bridal Wreath or Clustered Wax Flower is among the evergreen, woody, climbing, flowering plants with white, waxy, star-shaped, tubular, sweet-scented flowers and glossy, dark-green, oval leaves.
Bridal Wreath Plant is a vigorously-growing, hardy, climbing plant that will flourish in a hanging basket or on a trellis. It is among popular flowering plants for hanging baskets.
Though called Jasmine, Madagascar Jasmine is not a Jasmine. It belongs to the family Apocynaceae (Dogbane family) along with Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) and Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa). True Jasmines belong to the family Oleaceae (Olive family) an example being Pink Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum).
Botanical name: Stephanotis floribunda
Synonmy: Stephanotis jasminoides
Family: Apocynaceae
Common names: Madagascar Jasmine, Hawaiian Wedding Flower, Bridal Wreath, Clustered Wax Flower, Bridal Veil Vine
Origin
Stephanotis floribunda also called Stephanotis jasminoides is native to Madagascar where it climbs on trees to get to the canopy for some direct sunlight.
Size
Madagascar Jasmine can grow to a height of about 20 feet. When grown indoors, the growth can be controlled through trimming at the beginning of the growing season.
Flower
Stephanotis floribunda flowers are white, waxy, star-shaped, tubular, sweet-scented and borne on new growth in spring through fall. The flowers are a common feature in bridal wreaths, hence the common names, 'Bridal Wreath', 'Hawaiian Wedding Flower' and 'Bridal Veil Vine'.
Is Stephanotis floribunda toxic?
No. The ASPCA indicates that Stephanotis floribunda is non-toxic to pets. It is one of the pet-safe plants you can grow in a home with cats, dogs and other pets.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to add this beautiful plant to your collection, you may get Hawaiian Wedding Flower online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Stephanotis floribunda Indoors
To properly care for Stephanotis floribunda indoors, provide bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunshine, warmth of 20-250C, humidity of 55-65% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Madagascar Jasmine requires repotting only when pot-bound as it blooms best when the roots are confined. Pruning is needed to keep the plant neat, to minimize pest and disease infestations, to promote flowering and to rejuvenate growth. Keep on reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
How often should I water Stephanotis floribunda?
Do not water the plant on a schedule. Water Stephanotis floribunda liberally in the growing season until the water flows out through the drainage hole. Allow the top 1-2 inches to dry out between water to keep the soil consistently moist. Avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, drooping, yellowing and leaf loss.
Decrease watering in the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out for a long period as underwatering can lead to wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.
To prevent cold shock which can cause stunted growth and leaf drop, avoid consistently watering with cold water; use room temperature water. In addition, use chlorine-free water to prevent browning of the leaves.
Ascertain that the soil is free-draining and the pot has a drainage hole to waterlogging which can lead to root-rot and loss of the plant. Discard excess water from the saucer to prevent soil sogginess. Take care not to wet the foliage to minimize fungal diseases.
Light Requirements
Does Madagascar Jasmine need full sun?
Yes. Madagascar Jasmine needs bright light with 4-6 hours of morning or evening sunshine. Keep it away from hot midday sun to prevent scorching of the leaves.
If light is not enough, the plant will become leggy with wide spaces between the leaf nodes and will not bloom. Therefore, use full spectrum grow lights if the natural light is inadequate.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure the plant receives light on all sides for even growth to prevent legginess.
You can grow Stephanotis floribunda outdoors under direct sunshine. However, you will need to be acclimate it gradually before exposing it to direct sunlight to avoid scorching. Madagascar Jasmine is among sun-loving plants for the sunny spots in the home.
Temperature & Humidity
Madagascar Jasmine prefers a warmth of 20-250C. Keep it away from drafty conditions like hot air vents, AC units, heat sources, windy doors and windows among others, to prevent temperature flactuactions which can cause slowed growth, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.
Stephanotis floribunda prospers in a humidity of 55-65$. Low humidity will result in brown leaf tips and edges. To up humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together. Maintain proper air circulation to discourage fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed your Stephanotis floribunda with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 3-4 weeks during the growing season to promote flowering. Do not feed in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Madagascar Jasmine should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent sogginess while providing the required nutrients. A blend of 50% potting soil, 30% peat moss or coco coir and 20% perlite is perfect for this plant.
Repotting
Repot young Madagascar Jasmine at the beginning of the growing season into a pot one size larger than the current. Keep in mind that it blooms best when root-bound, therefore, repot only when pot-bound. Do not repot a plant that is in flower as the repotting shock can shorten the flowering period.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining soil to waterlogging which can lead to root-rot. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning & Maintenance
Pruning Stephanotis floribunda involves removal of dead blooms and leaves to maintain the plant neat and discourage pest and disease infestations.
Cutback the stems at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth as the plant becomes straggly and unattractive with age. It also encourages flowering as flowers are borne on new growth.
Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and to reduce infestation by pests.
Stephanotis floribunda Propagation
Madagascar Jasmine is propagated from stem cuttings, at the beginning of the growing season, for faster establishment.
Propagating Madagascar Jasmine from stem cuttings
- Take 4-6 inches stem cuttings from a healthy plant and ensure each has at least 2-3 leaf nodes as new growth will emerge from here.
- Strip off the lower leaves from the cuttings to expose the leaf nodes.
- Coat the lower part of the stem with a rooting hormone to promote rooting.
- Carefully insert the coated cuttings in moist, free-draining soil. Use a container with adequate drainage holes to prevent rotting of the cuttings.
- Cover the set up with a clear plastic bag or sheet to create a greenhouse effect to hasten rooting. A warm, humid environment is needed for rooting to happen.
- Place the set up in bright light but away from direct sunlight to avoid cooking the cuttings.
- Maintain the soil moist through out until the cuttings are well rooted. Rooting should occur in about 4-6 weeks and is indicated by new growth.
- Once rooted, remove the plastic cover a little every day over a period of 2 weeks to acclimate the ne plants to normal growing conditions.
- Allow the new plants to be well established before transplanting into individual pots after which you can begin routine care.
Stephanotis floribunda Problems & Remedies
Madagascar Jasmine problems are lack of blooms, plant dying, yellow leaves, flowerbud drop, brown leaf tips & edges, wilting & drooping, pests among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Lack of blooms
Why isn't my Stephanotis floribunda blooming?
Your Stephanotis floribunda is not blooming due to too little light, nutrients deficiency, dry air, inconsistent watering, soggy soil or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with 4-6 hours of morning sunshine or instal grow lights if the natural lighting is not adequate.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 3-4 weeks in the growing season.
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together to increase humidity.
Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out and do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and free-draining soil.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, hot air vents, open doors, drafty windows, heat sources among others.
Plant dying
Why is my Stephanotis floribunda dying?
Stephanotis floribunda is dying due to root-rot which is promoted by soggy soil. The disease is characterized by general yellowing and browning accompanied by rotting followed by plant collapse.
How to fix it
- Carefully, slip the plant out of its pot, wash off the soil and inspect the roots.
- Brown-black, mushy roots indicate root-rot; cut them away. In addition, cut away any stems showing any signs of rot.
- Treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicide as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh soil.
- Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent soil sogginess.
- Water the plant with the fungicidal solution and position it in a warm, well-lit spot.
- Stop watering until new growth appears, avoid overwatering and soggy soil thereafter.
Yellow leaves
Some of the causes of yellow leaves on Madagascar Jasmine are low light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, dry air or salts buildup.
How to fix it
Low light: Position the plant in bright light with 4-6 hours of morning sunshine or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.
Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top 1-2 inches of the soil feel dry to touch; do not water on a schedule.
Soggy soil: Use a well-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like open doors, drafty windows, hot air vents, AC units, heat sources among others.
Dry air: Group the plants together, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use cool mist humidifier to elevate humidity.
Salts buildup: Occasionally, leach out accumulated salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage hole.
Flowerbud drop
Flowerbud drop on Stephanotis floribunda is caused by insufficient light, dry air, soggy soil, inconsistent water, temperature stress or sudden changes.
How to fix it
Insufficient light: Position the plant in bright light with 4-6 hours of morning sunshine or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together to heighten humidity.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like open doors, drafty windows, hot air vents, AC units, heat sources among others.
Sudden changes: Do not move or repot a plant that is in flower to prevent shock.
Brown leaf tips & edges
Brown leaf tips and edges on Madagascar Jasmine are caused by dry air, drafts or underwatering.
How to fix it
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, AC units, open doors, drafty windows, heat sources among others.
Underwatering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the to few inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Wilting & droopy leaves
Wilting and droopy leaves on Madagascar Jasmine are due to inconsistent watering, soggy soil or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out and never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like drafty windows, open doors, AC units, hot air vents, heat sources among others.
Pests
Common pests of Madagascar Jasmine are mealybugs, scales and spider mites which are common in dry conditions.
How to fix it
- Seperate the infested plant to minimize spread to other plants.
- Treat the infested plant with a neem oil or an insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
- Maintain the plant well pruned to reduce the pests populations.
- Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a humidifier to raise humidity as it discourages the pests.
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