What level of sun does it need? Most jasmine plants require partial to full sun, although a few cultivars accept full shade. Is it hardy in your climate? Determine whether the jasmine you have chosen will thrive outdoors or if it would be better off in a pot inside, where you can control the temperature and humidity. If you’re planting outside, you’ll want to choose the warmest spot you can find. How much space does your jasmine plant need? Some cultivars are vines that grow up walls and fences, others grow along the ground and provide good ground cover, and still others grow as contained shrubs. Pick a planting spot that suits the type you have.
If you’re planting outside, check the spot you’ve chosen to make sure it drains well. Dig a hole and fill it with water. If the water quickly soaks into the hole and leaves it empty, the soil there drains well. If the water sits and drains slowly, choose a different planting spot.
While the most common way to plant jasmine is to buy a young jasmine plant, it is also possible to start jasmine from seed. Jasmine seeds have a low germination rate and require special care according to the cultivar. In most cases, you can start the seeds indoors in seed pots filled with seed starter mix, then harden off the seedlings and plant them outside once the last frost has passed. Another way to plant jasmine is to use semi-ripe cuttings taken from a mature jasmine plant. In mid-summer or fall, cut healthy 6-inch stems from a jasmine plant. Prepare a pot with a soil and compost mixture and push the stems into a pot. Overwinter the pot in a sunny window, keeping it well watered, and transplant it in the spring.
To ensure that the jasmine establishes itself on the trellis or stake, you can use string or twine to loosely tie the talks to the support. Remove the ties when the vine is established. [1] X Research source
Water jasmine from the bottom to keep from getting the leaves wet. The sun will burn the leaves if water droplets remain on them during the sunniest hours. [2] X Research source For jasmine you’re growing indoors, be mindful of the humidity level of the air as well as the moisture of the soil. Tender varieties of jasmine need a humidity level of between 30 and 45. Use a humidifier or spray the plant with mist frequently. [3] X Research source
Alternatively, you can side-dress the jasmine with compost by working an inch of compost into the soil around the base of the jasmine plant. Be careful not to disturb the roots. Top-dressing works also; when you water, it takes the nutrients from the compost down into the soil.
Don’t prune before or during the blooming period, as this can inhibit blooming. Wait until the plant has finished blooming for the season. [5] X Research source To improve the shape of shrub-like jasmine, you can cut the stems back by a third after blooming. The shrub will come back next season with a fuller shape. [6] X Research source
If you have been growing your jasmine in a pot outside, you can bring it indoors for the winter rather than adding mulch. Jasmine grown indoors year-round does not require mulching. However, it’s important to keep them in a sunny room with a constant temperature of between 60 and 75 degrees. [7] X Research source
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Indoor jasmine also needs to rest each fall. [9] X Research source
In the early morning, gently pick flower buds from the plant. Their essence is strongest at this time of day. Place them in a single layer on a baking tray. Bake the buds using your oven’s lowest setting - 200 °F (93 °C) or lower. You may also dry the buds by placing them in a sunny window in a dry room. Let the buds completely dry. In the oven, it will take about 3 hours. Be sure not to overcook them. Let the buds sit overnight on the tray before storing them. Store the buds in an airtight jar. When you want to make tea, add a tablespoonful to boiling water. Let it the tea steep for 4 minutes, then strain out the buds and enjoy.
Harvest 1/4 cup of fresh buds in the morning. Put the buds in a plastic bag and tap them gently with a hammer to release their oils. Place the buds in the jar and pour 1/2 cup of base oil over them. Seal the jar and leave it in a cool, dark place for 24 hours. Strain the buds and smell the oil. If you want a stronger oil, repeat the process with fresh buds. Continue steeping fresh buds in oil until the scent is as strong as you want it to be. Transfer the oil to an amber or blue glass bottle for long-term storage. You can dab on the oil and use it as perfume, or use the fragrant oil as an ingredient in lotion, lip balm and other concoctions.
