How to Grow Pink Jasmine
Jasminum polyanthum
Pink jasmine is a vigorous twining climber prized for its masses of intensely fragrant flowers in late winter and spring. The key to flowering is providing a cool rest period (5-10°C) through autumn and early winter. Grow in bright indirect light, train on a hoop or trellis, water regularly during active growth, and prune hard after flowering to keep it manageable indoors. Feed fortnightly in summer and withhold food during the cool rest.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Feed every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser from spring through summer. Stop feeding in autumn and winter when the plant needs its cool rest period.
Watch For
- Aphids on new growth
- Red spider mite in dry indoor air
- Mealybug in leaf axils
- Leaf drop from sudden temperature changes
Pet Safety
Care Requirements
Light
Bright indirect light
Provide bright indirect light year-round. Tolerates some direct morning sun but avoid hot afternoon sun which scorches leaves.
Watering
Regular in growth, reduced in winter
Water regularly during spring and summer, keeping soil moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering significantly during the cool winter rest, allowing the top layer to dry between waterings.
Fertilizing
Fortnightly in spring and summer
Feed every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser during active growth. Stop feeding completely in autumn and winter during the cool rest period.
Pruning
Hard prune after flowering
Cut back flowered shoots by up to two-thirds immediately after flowering finishes in spring. This controls the vigorous growth and promotes new shoots for next year's blooms.
Spacing
One plant per 30-40 cm pot
Grow in a pot at least 30 cm diameter with good drainage. Repot every 2-3 years in spring, moving up one pot size.
Support
Hoop, trellis, or wires required
Provide a hoop frame, trellis, or stretched wires for the twining stems. Without support, growth becomes tangled and unmanageable. Train stems evenly around the support.
Growing Tips
Cool winter rest is essential
Move the plant to a cool room (5-10°C) from autumn until midwinter. Without this cold period, it will not set flower buds.
Prune hard after flowering
Cut back flowered shoots by up to two-thirds immediately after blooming finishes. This controls size and encourages fresh growth for next year's flowers.
Train on a support
Provide a hoop, trellis, or wires for the twining stems. Without support, growth becomes tangled and unmanageable quickly.
Bright but indirect light
Give bright indirect light year-round. Some direct morning sun is fine, but avoid hot afternoon sun which scorches the leaves.
