Madagascar jasmine care guide

Madagascar jasmine is a twining vine with thick, glossy leaves and clusters of waxy, white, tube-shaped flowers. The flowers smell sweet and are a classic in wedding bouquets. Despite the name, it is not a true jasmine. It is a cousin of the hoya. It needs bright light, steady care, and a cool winter rest to bloom well.

Light

Give it bright light. An east window is ideal. A south or west window with a sheer curtain works too. A few hours of morning sun helps it bloom.

Hot afternoon sun scorches the leaves. In low light, it grows leaves but no flowers.

Water

Water when the top 2 cm (1 in) of soil is dry. Water until it drains, then empty the saucer. Keep it moist in spring and summer while it grows and blooms.

In winter, during its rest, let it dry a bit more. Use room-temperature water. Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered.

Soil and potting

Use a well-draining houseplant mix.

It blooms best a little root-bound. Repot every two to three years in spring, one size up. See how to repot a houseplant step by step.

Humidity and temperature

It does best at 40% humidity or higher. A humidifier helps in winter. Keep it away from heat vents and cold drafts.

In spring and summer, keep it between 18 and 27°C (65 and 80°F). In winter, a cooler room between 13 and 16°C (55 and 60°F) gives it a rest. The rest helps it set buds for spring. Keep it above 10°C (50°F).

Feeding

Feed every two weeks in spring and summer with a bloom fertilizer at half strength. Skip feeding in fall and winter.

Bud drop

Madagascar jasmine drops its buds when anything changes. Once you see buds, do not move or turn the pot. Keep water and temperature steady. Dry air and cold drafts cause bud drop too.

Pruning and training

It blooms on new growth. Prune in late winter, before new growth starts. Cut back long or tangled vines and thin out old stems.

Wind new vines around a hoop, trellis, or stake. They twine on their own once they start.

The stems have a milky sap. Wash your hands after you cut it.

Seed pods

Now and then, it grows a large green pod shaped like an egg. The pod takes up to a year to ripen. When it splits, it releases seeds with silky white floss, like milkweed.

Propagation

In spring or summer, cut a stem 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) long with two pairs of leaves. Dip the end in rooting hormone. Push it into moist mix. Cover the pot with a clear bag and keep it warm, around 21 to 24°C (70 to 75°F). Roots take six to eight weeks.

Problems

What you see	Most likely cause
Buds drop before opening	A move, dry air, cold drafts, or uneven water
No flowers	Not enough light, or no cool winter rest
Yellow leaves	Too much water, cold, or hard tap water
Sticky leaves, white cottony spots	Mealybugs
Brown bumps on stems	Scale
Long vines, few leaves	Not enough light

Pests

Mealybugs and scale are the biggest problems. They hide where leaves meet stems and along the vines. Check every week. Dab them with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab. Spider mites can show up in dry air.

Pet safety

The ASPCA lists Madagascar jasmine, Stephanotis floribunda, as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Varieties

• Stephanotis floribunda has dark green leaves and white flowers. It is the one most stores sell.
• Stephanotis floribunda ‘Variegata’ has green leaves with cream edges. It grows slower and needs bright light.