How to take care of star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)

Trachelospermum jasminoides, more commonly known as star jasmine, is a gorgeous flowering plant with thick, dark green foliage and scented white flowers that bloom in summer and spring. Native to eastern and southeastern Asia, Trachelospermum jasminoides is widely planted across Australia since the country’s subtropical climate is ideally suited for the colourful star jasmine to grow and flourish. 

Star jasmine is especially popular as a vining or hedging plant. Reaching heights of up to 6m, star jasmine is a quick growing climber plant that can easily be trained to cover a wire fence or wrap itself around a pillar. The plant can also be used as a ground cover. Star jasmine presents beautifully as potted plants growing in a vining trellis or hanging baskets trailing downward. Star jasmine can also be pruned into decorative shapes or green hedges. 

As a low maintenance plant with unlimited landscaping potential, star jasmine should be a staple in every garden in Australia. Follow these care guidelines to help your star jasmine plants reach their full potential!

 

Temperature & Light

Star jasmine is a hardy plant that can tolerate a range of temperatures and lighting conditions. A mix of full sun and semi-shade will create the optimum growing environment for star jasmine. Although the plant can withstand colder temperatures and shaded areas, the lack of sun will make it more difficult to produce flowers. For maximum flowering potential, choose a spot that receives plenty of sunlight throughout the day. Star jasmine also thrives in humid conditions, which makes Sydney the perfect place to grow this plant.

 

Soil

Star jasmine is an adaptable plant that isn’t too concerned about the soil it grows in. The most important consideration is to ensure the soil is well-drained to avoid moisture buildup and root health issues. If your star jasmine is planted in a container, use organic potting soil to allow proper drainage. If planted directly in the ground, add generous amounts of compost to the soil to create a well-draining mulch.

 

Planting

When planting star jasmine in your garden, dig a sizable hole filled with plenty of compost and space the plants about 1.5m apart to ensure sufficient room to grow. Spring is typically the best time to plant star jasmine since the warm days and cool evenings create the ideal circumstances for new plants to settle into their environments. Thanks to its self-clinging foliage, star jasmine can easily be trained to cover a surface such as a wall or a pillar. Tie young shoots to a support structure such as a vining trellis to guide the growth until the pattern is established. 

Star jasmine can be propagated by taking cuttings of about 15cm from a well-established mother plant. The cuttings should be removed just below the node where a new leaf will grow from. To encourage their growth, the ends of the cuttings can be dipped in a rooting hormone powder before being placed in a planting container filled with well-draining potting mix. Keep the container in a warm spot with temperatures of around 20-25°C. Use a dome structure or plastic bag to cover the container and encourage a humid growing environment. Mist the soil regularly to maintain the moisture levels. Roots will start to develop after about a month, after which the new star jasmine plants are ready to be transferred to a larger pot or directly into the ground. 

 

Water

Young star jasmines need to be watered frequently to help establish growth. As a guideline, water once or twice per week during the initial growth phase. Feed the plants with a liquid fertiliser once or twice per month for added growing support. Once mature, star jasmine is a drought-resistant plant that only requires occasional watering. Star jasmine planted in a container may need to be watered more regularly since the plant has limited resources to make use of in the soil. 

 

Maintenance 

Star jasmine is a low maintenance and easy-care plant that requires very little fuss. The plant doesn’t typically struggle with pests or diseases. Damage caused by common pests like scale insects can be taken care of by treating the plant with neem oil. 

Pruning is the most important aspect of star jasmine maintenance. Even if you prefer to let your star jasmine grow freely without maintaining a particular shape or growth pattern, regular pruning is essential for encouraging healthy, dense growth. Since star jasmine is a vining plant, its growth should be monitored to prevent the vines from invading surrounding plants and trees. 

 

Spring Colours is a plant nursery located in Sydney’s Dural neighbourhood. With over 30 years of experience in garden landscaping and delivering high-quality plants to plant lovers at great prices, we are committed to making the world a greener place and adding new life to your home and garden. 

Contact us to find out about our wholesale service delivery or visit our store in Dural to browse our collection of plants!