Star Jasmine, Trachelospermum jasminoides – Care Instructions

The star jasmine is ideally placed on a terrace or balcony, as it should be cultivated in a bucket due to its lack of winter hardiness. A temperate conservatory is also well suited, here the plant can remain in the same place all year round. The location should also have the following characteristics:

• semi-shady to slightly sunny
• avoid direct midday sun
• slightly airy, yet sheltered from the wind
• a west or east-facing balcony is therefore ideal
• a partially shaded corner on an otherwise sunny terrace is also acceptable
• on a house wall or pergola
• jasmine is a climbing plant that seeks its way up

Substrat & Boden

Since the star jasmine is cultivated in tubs, high-quality potting soil from well-stocked specialist shops should be used here. Because this already contains all the nutrients that Trachelospermum jasminoides needs for flowering. It is ideal if this soil is mixed with sand or gravel. In this way, it can better store the moisture required by the plant without creating waterlogging. But garden soil mixed with sand, gravel and compost is also a substrate in which the star jasmine can thrive.

watering & fertilizing

The star jasmine gets by with little water, even during its flowering period. Especially the plants that are not exposed to direct sunlight or are in semi-shade only need a little water. Above all, it must be ensured that no waterlogging forms, because the climbing plant does not tolerate it at all. It is therefore an advantage if the bucket is placed on a stand so that the water can drain straight down from the drainage hole. Otherwise, the collected irrigation water should be poured out of the plate about half an hour after watering. So that the plant shows its full bloom in the summer months, it should be fertilized as follows:

• use high-quality pot plant fertilizer from the trade
• fertilize every one to two weeks
• fertilization takes place between April and November
• during the hibernation, fertilizing is completely stopped.

plant

If the star jasmine is planted, care should be taken when choosing the pot that it is not too heavy. Ideally, a base with wheels is used, so the plant can be easily moved from summer to winter quarters and back again. Trachelospermum jasminoides should not be cultivated in a garden bed in the local latitudes. When planting in the tub, you should therefore proceed as follows:

• Planting time for commercially available plants is spring
• applied against occurring waterlogging drainage
• Use stones, gravel or shards of pottery
• place on the drain hole
• Spread plant fleece over it
• fill in prepared soil
• leave a planting hole in the middle
• Use star jasmine carefully
• already use a climbing aid on one side of the bucket
• Fill in the remaining soil and press down lightly
• water moderately

repot

The star jasmine should be repotted once a year so that it has more space and, above all, fresh substrate for a new, rich bloom. The ideal time for this is spring before flowering. If the existing bucket still offers enough space, then a new bucket can be dispensed with and only the substrate is replaced. When repotting, proceed as follows:

• prepare new bucket with drainage
• fill in fresh soil and proceed as with the planting
• if the existing bucket is used, carefully remove star jasmine
• set aside
• completely remove old soil from the pot
• proceed as with planting

sowing

You can also sow the star jasmine. The ideal time for this is late summer at the beginning of September. For this you can use the seeds from the flowers of an existing plant or from the specialist trade. Not much needs to be considered here:

• commercial soil, usually use special seed soil
• Press the seeds lightly into the soil
• Ideally, one seed is sown in a small pot
• so later pricking can be spared
• put in a warm, bright place
• Earth temperature should be 19° to 22° Celsius
• this can also be achieved by watering with slightly warmed water
• water only moderately
• in the spring transfer the small plants to a larger pot

multiply

The star jasmine can easily be propagated by cuttings. For this purpose, after flowering in August, pieces about ten centimeters long are cut from the main branches. These are simply put in a sand/peat mixture in a pot. Here they stay all winter and put down roots. In spring, the resulting new plants can be moved to their outdoor location and transferred to a larger pot with fresh substrate. Do not give too much water during the rooting period and let the soil dry out in between, as if you give too much water, the cuttings can easily rot and no new plants will form.

To cut

The attractive plant does not necessarily have to be cut. A pruning in autumn after flowering before moving to winter quarters is recommended. However, it should be thinned out regularly so that the leaves and flowers get enough air inside the tendril. If the star jasmine has grown too densely here and the long shoots may have intertwined, the flowers can no longer develop properly, the leaves may turn yellow to brown due to a lack of air and light and fall off. Proceed as follows for the cut:

• at very densely grown parts of the tendril
• To do this, remove very long shoots from the inside
• individual tendrils can grow up to six meters long
• is thinned out in spring
• However, thinning can also be done in summer if necessary
• Always remove old inflorescences from time to time
• cut back in autumn after flowering
• then the plant is not quite as big during the winter

hibernate

Trachelospermum jasminoides is not hardy and must therefore be moved to a sheltered spot before the first frost in autumn. However, basements or garages are not suitable for this, as the star jasmine needs a bright place even in winter. Anyone who buys a star jasmine should therefore have two locations available from the outset. In summer on the balcony or terrace and in winter in a bright, light and airy room. Since the leaves turn slightly reddish in winter, the star jasmine is a beautiful ornamental plant for every room, even without flowers. The following conditions are ideal for wintering:

• bright and cool
• 8° to 15° Celsius are ideal
• in the winter, water only enough to keep the root ball slightly damp
• Drying out is to be avoided at all costs, even in winter
• there is no fertilization during the winter months
• spend outdoors again in May, ideally after the ice saints

Gifitigkeit

The star jasmine belongs to the dogbane family and should therefore be placed in a household with small children or free-roaming pets where they cannot get to the plant. Because the milky liquid in the leaves is poisonous and should not come into contact with the mouth. Therefore, if you have pets or small children in your household, you should better avoid cultivating Trachelospermum jasminoides or fence off the location.

Care mistakes, diseases or pests

Unfortunately, the star jasmine is susceptible to various pests. Mistakes in care can also damage the graceful plant. This is especially true when the plant receives too much water or dries out completely. Here the hobby gardener must find a healthy middle ground for the plant. The following pests and secondary diseases often occur on star jasmine:

• aphids can appear from the beginning of May
• you can recognize them by the curled leaves
• fight them immediately
• if the infestation is low, spray the plant lightly with water
• otherwise use insecticides from the trade
• if the aphids are not removed, sooty mold fungus will appear as a result
• this can damage the plant in the long run
• spider mites also attack star jasmine
• these are shown by silvery speckled leaves
• Mealybugs or mealybugs settle under the leaf axils

Conclusion
The star jasmine is usually an easy-care plant, but it needs winter quarters because it is not hardy. Therefore, it should be cultivated in a container that can find its place in a partially shaded corner on the terrace or balcony. The plant is a climbing plant, so it needs a lot of space above all. If you fertilize and water them properly, they will delight you for several months with their white flowers and a pleasant scent. Therefore, it is also ideal next to a seat.