Stephanotis floribunda (Madagascar Jasmine) Care and Propagation

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Madagascar Jasmine, Stephanotis floribunda

Botanical name: Stephanotis floribunda
Synonmy: Stephanotis jasminoides
Family: Apocynaceae
Common names: Madagascar Jasmine, Hawaiian Wedding Flower, Bridal Wreath, Clustered Wax Flower, Bridal Veil Vine

Description

Stephanotis floribunda commonly called Madagascar Jasmine, Hawaiian Wedding Flower, Bridal Wreath or Clustered Wax Flower is an evergreen woody climber with glossy, dark-green, oval leaves.

Though called Jasmine, Madagascar Jasmine is not a Jasmine. It belongs to the family Apocynaceae (Dogbane family) while true Jasmines belong to the family Oleaceae (Olive family).

Hawaiian Wedding Flower grows best in bright light, consistently moist well-drained soil and warm, humid conditions.

Bridal Wreath Plant is a vigorously growing, hardy climbing plant that will flourish in a hanging basket or on a trellis.

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'.

Size

Madagascar Jasmine can grow to a height of about 20 ft. When grown indoors, the growth can be controlled through trimming at the beginning of the growing season.

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.

Toxicity

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals indicates that Madagascar Jasmine is non-toxic to pets.

Where to Buy

If you are looking to add this beautiful plant to your collection, it is available online on Etsy.

Buy Madagascar Jasmine online from Etsy

Stephanotis floribunda Care Indoors

Madagascar Jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda) blooms in bright light with some morning or evening sunshine, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter coupled with regular feeding during the growing season.

Stephanotis floribunda 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.

Light Requirements

Stephanotis floribunda thrives in bright light with some morning or evening sunshine but too hot direct sunshine will scorch the leaves.

If light is not enough for Hawaiian Wedding Flower, it will become leggy with wide spaces between the leaf nodes and will not bloom.

Rotate the pot regularly to ensure the plant receives light on all sides for even growth.

The Bridal Wreath Plant can also be grown outside under direct sunshine but it needs to be acclimated gradually before being exposed to direct sunshine to avoid sunscorch.

Madagascar Jasmine can also be grown under a grow light> where the natural light is inadequate. Check out these link to Amazon for full spectrum grow lights.

Watering

Water Stephanotis floribunda thoroughly during the growing season and keep the soil consistently moist through out.

Decrease watering during the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. Therefore, the plant does not require much water.

Do not allow the soil for Hawaiian Wedding Flower to dry out as it can lead to wilting and leaf drop.

Ascertain that the soil is free-draining and the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot and eventual death of the plant.

Temperature and Humidity

Average room temperature within the range of 20-25⁰C is ideal for Madagascar Jasmine. Keep it away from draughty conditions as cold temperatures can cause leaf drop.

Average to above average room humidity is ideal for Madagascar Jasmine. The plant thrives in warm, humid conditions like in its natural environment.

To raise humidity especially where the room temperatures are very high, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to prevent brown leaf tips and edges. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

Fertilizer

Feed Stephanotis floribunda with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 3-4 weeks during the growing season to promote flowering.

Do not feed the Madagascar Jasmine during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn.

Potting Mix

The best soil for Madagascar Jasmine should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients.

Most multi-purpose potting mixes are ideal for Hawaiian Wedding Flower. Buy quality Potting Mix for Stephanotis floribunda online from Etsy.

Pruning

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.

Repotting

Repot young Madagascar Jasmine at the beginning of the growing season into a pot only one size larger than the current. It blooms best when root-bound, therefore repot only when pot-bound.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining soil to avoid getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot and eventual death of the plant. Check out these Flower Pots with Multi Mesh Drainage Holes on Amazon.

Do not repot a Hawaiian Wedding Flower that is in flower as the repotting shock can shorten the flowering period.

Propagation

Stephanotis floribunda (Madagascar Jasmine) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings.

How to propagate Madagascar Jasmine from stem cuttings

Take a 4-6 stem cuttings from a healthy Madagascar Jasmine. Strip off the lower leaves of the cuttings and coat the lower part of the stem with a rooting hormone.

Carefully insert the coated cuttings in moist, free-draining soil and ensure the rooting container has adequate drainage holes to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.

Cover the set up with a clear plastic bag or sheet to create a greenhouse effect to hasten rooting. A warm and 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 Hawaiian Wedding Flower cuttings are 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 indoor growing conditions.

Allow the new Stephanotis floribunda to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.

Stephanotis floribunda Growing Problems

Stephanotis floribunda (Madagascar Jasmine) problems include yellow leaves, lef drop, flowerbud drop, lack of blooms, wilting and drooping, brown leaf tips and edges, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to zix them.

No blooms (flowers)

The are three possible causes of lack of blooming in Madagascar Jasmine. One possible reason for lack of blooms is too little light.

Move the Stephanotis floribunda to a brighter spot where it can receive bright light with some morning sunshine or instal a grow light where natural lighting is not adequate.

The second possible reason why Madagascar Jasmine will not bloom is feeding it with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer which promotes foliage growth at the expense of flowering.

Feed the Hawaiian Wedding Flower with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season to promote flowering.

The third possible reason why Madagascar Jasmine is not blooming is underwatering.

Water Bridal Wreath Plant thoroughly during the growing season and keep the soil moist through out. However, reduce watering during the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist.

Brown leaf tips and edges

Two reasons are responsible for brown leaf tips and edges in Madagascar Jasmine. One reason for brown leaf tips and edges is dry air (low humidity).

Set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity or use a cool mist humidifier.

The second reason for brown leaf tips and edges in Stephanotis floribunda is soggy soil.

Maintain the soil moist but not soggy by ensuring that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is free-draining (drains easily).

Pests

The common pests in Madagascar Jasmine are Mealy Bugs, Scales and Spider Mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other houseplants and treat it with Neem oil to get rid of the pests.

Yellowing and dropping leaves

Yellowing leaves accompanied by leaf drop in Madagascar Jasmine is caused by two possible reasons. One possible reason is soggy soil.

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

The second reason for yellowing and dropping leaves in Stephanotis floribunda is sudden drop in temperatures brought about by cold draughts. Keep the plant away from cold vents, drafty windows and doorways.

The Bridal Wreath Plant is a tropical plant where temperatures are constantly warm through out the year, thus cannot tolerate low temperatures.

Wilting and droopy leaves

Underwatering is the cause of wilting and droopy leaves in Madagascar Jasmine. Water the plant thoroughly and maintain the soil moist during the growing season.

Lessen watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Flower drop

Flower drop in Stephanotis floribunda is due to three possible causes. One possible cause of flower drop is soggy soil.

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

In addition, reduce watering in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

The second cause of flower drop in Madagascar Jasmine is underwatering. Water the plant thoroughly and maintain the soil moist during the growing season.

Reduce watering during the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

The third possible cause of flower drop in Hawaiian Wedding Flower is sudden changes in the growing conditions; lighting, temperature, humidity and so on.

Do not move or repot a Bridal Wreath Plant that is in flower. The sudden changes will cause plant shock which will result in flower drop and sometimes leaf drop.