How to Grow Jasmine

Jasmine flowers, with their star-shaped petals and sweet, enchanting fragrance, fill the air on warm summer nights. These blooms continue through the summer on either bushes or vines, depending on the variety. The buds can even be harvested to make fragrant tea that helps promote health. Start reading step 1 below to learn how to plant, care for, and harvest jasmine.

Chọn giống hoa. Hoa nhài có đến hơn 200 loài, mỗi loài có các đặc tính riêng. Một số thuộc loại cây thường xanh, một số thuộc loài rụng lá. Một số có dạng dây leo, số khác mọc thành bụi. Một số khá “đỏng đảnh” cần phải trồng trong nhà, số khác có sức chống chọi tốt với sương giá. Hãy mua giống hoa nhài phù hợp với nhu cầu của bạn. Bạn có thể tìm mua cây hoa nhài trồng sẵn trong chậu ở vườn ươm hoặc có thể đặt mua hạt giống trên mạng. Những giống hoa nhài phổ biến nhất ở các vườn ươm là:

Các giống hoa nhài

Giống hoa	Nhu cầu chăm sóc	Đặc tính
Jasminum officinale (hoa nhài mùa hè)	Ánh nắng toàn phần hoặc một phần; trồng ngoài trời trong khí hậu ôn hòa; trồng trong nhà nếu thời tiết khắc nghiệt	Hoa hình sao, màu trắng; hoa nhài leo phổ biến ở nhiều vùng.
Jasminum nudiflorum (hoa nhài mùa đông)	Ánh nắng toàn phần hoặc một phần; trồng ngoài trời ở hầu hết các vùng khí hậu	Hoa vàng; ít cần chăm sóc; che phủ đất tốt.
Jasminum parkeri	Ánh nắng toàn phần hoặc một phần; trồng ngoài trời trong khí hậu ôn hòa; trồng trong nhà nếu thời tiết khắc nghiệt	Hoa màu vàng; mọc thành bụi.
Jasminum fruticans	Ánh nắng toàn phần hoặc một phần; trồng ngoài trời trong khí hậu ôn hòa; trồng trong nhà nếu thời tiết khắc nghiệt	Hoa màu vàng hình ống; cây bụi thường xanh.
Jasminum sambac	Ánh nắng toàn phần hoặc một phần; trồng trong nhà, ngoại trừ trong vùng khí hậu nhiệt đới	Hoa có hương thơm có thể làm thành loại trà ngon; đòi hỏi môi trường trong nhà có thể kiểm soát được ở hầu hết các vùng khí hậu.

Find the right location for your jasmine plant. Different jasmine varieties have different planting requirements, so it's important to do some research to understand what your plant needs. For healthy growth, jasmine requires adequate sunlight and the right temperature. When selecting a planting spot, consider these points:

• Sunlight needs of the plant. Most jasmine varieties require partial or full sunlight, although a few can thrive in complete shade.
• Adaptability to the climate of your area. Check whether your chosen jasmine variety will grow well outdoors or needs to be planted in a pot and kept indoors where you can manage the temperature and humidity. If planting outdoors, pick the warmest spot possible.
• Space for growth. Some jasmine varieties grow along walls or fences, others spread along the ground and serve as ground cover, and others form bushy plants. Choose a location suited to the variety you select.

Prepare the soil for planting. Most jasmine varieties thrive in rich, well-drained soil. Whether planting in the ground or a pot, it's essential to prepare the soil by adding a 5 cm layer of compost. This step ensures your jasmine plants will bloom beautifully throughout the growing season.

• If you're planting outdoors, check the drainage of the soil by digging a hole and filling it with water. If the water drains quickly, the soil has good drainage. If it remains stagnant and drains slowly, choose a different location.

Plant the jasmine. Gently remove the jasmine plant from its pot and water its root ball. Stimulate the roots by lightly scratching them. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and place the jasmine in it. Mound the soil slightly above the ground level to create a water-holding basin. Lightly press the soil around the base to keep the plant upright. Water thoroughly to stabilize the plant and add more soil if necessary.

• While buying young plants from a nursery is the most common method for planting jasmine, you can also grow it from seed. Jasmine seeds have a low germination rate and require special care depending on the variety. You can start the seeds in a pot indoors using seed-starting soil, harden the plants off, and then transplant them outside after the last frost.
• Another way to propagate jasmine is by taking cuttings from a mature plant. In mid-summer or fall, cut healthy 15 cm long stems from the jasmine plant. Place the cuttings in a pot and keep them indoors by a sunny window. Water them regularly and transplant them outside in spring.

Support climbing jasmine varieties with stakes. Many jasmine varieties require support to grow strong and upright. Place stakes or a trellis a few centimeters away from the plant's base and gently wrap the vines around the stake as they grow. If you're planting jasmine near a wall or fence, train the plant to climb until it can grow on its own.

• To ensure the plant stays securely supported, you can loosely tie it to the stake. Remove the tie once the plant's stem becomes sturdy.

Maintain a moist environment. Water the jasmine around its base throughout the growing season to keep the soil moist but not soggy. The best time to water is when the soil feels slightly dry. Use your finger to check by pushing it 5 cm into the soil; if it feels dry, it's time to water. If planting jasmine in a pot, make sure the soil drains well and water it once a day.

• Water jasmine from the bottom up to avoid wetting the leaves. Sunburn can occur if water droplets stay on the leaves during hot, sunny hours.
• If growing jasmine indoors, pay attention to both soil and air humidity. Delicate varieties require humidity between 30-45%. You can use a humidifier or mist the plant regularly with a spray bottle.

Fertilize jasmine once a month. Throughout the jasmine plant's growing season, fertilizing once a month can help keep the plant flowering. Sprinkle a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer around the base of the plant, or use a diluted liquid fertilizer.

• Another option is to mix about 2.5 cm of compost into the soil around the base. Be careful not to damage the roots.
• Fertilizing on top of the soil also works well; when you water the plant, the nutrients from the compost will seep into the ground.

Prune the plant. During the growing season, it’s important to remove dead leaves, flowers, and branches by pinching them off or trimming them with pruning shears. Tidy up by cutting back any unruly branches. When you prune intentionally, you can shape the plant to encourage climbing growth. Shrub varieties and indoor jasmine require less pruning.

• Avoid pruning before or during the jasmine blooming season, as this can prevent the plant from flowering. Wait until the blooming period ends.
• To improve the shape of a jasmine shrub, trim about one-third of the branches after blooming. The shrub will regrow with a fuller shape the next season.

Cover jasmine plants in fall and summer. To protect your jasmine during the winter, cover the base with a layer of dry pine needles, manure, or compost. This will ensure the roots don’t freeze entirely, and your jasmine will flourish again when the weather warms. In the summer, do the same to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

• If your jasmine is in a pot outdoors, you can bring it inside during winter instead of covering it.
• Jasmine plants grown indoors year-round don’t need much covering. However, place them in a room with plenty of sunlight and a stable temperature between 15.5 to 21°C.

Watch out for pests. While jasmine plants are generally pest-resistant, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on a few insects that could affect their growth. If you spot any of the following pests on your jasmine, remove them by hand and place them in soapy water, or wash the leaves with soapy water or a neem oil solution:

• Aphids
• Scale insects
• Spider mites
• Mealybugs

Encourage the plant to bloom again. If your jasmine is growing healthy leaves but not blooming, the soil might contain too much nitrogen, often due to over-fertilizing. Or, your jasmine may be stressed due to factors like overwatering or underwatering, extreme temperatures, lack of light, or stagnant air.

• Indoor jasmine also requires a rest period each fall.

Cut jasmine flowers for indoor decoration. A jasmine bush typically produces numerous blooms throughout the season, and you can bring these flowers inside to enhance your home. Use sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut branches with abundant flowers and leaves. Place them in water immediately to keep the flowers fresh.

Harvest jasmine buds to make tea. When the plant blooms in spring and summer, you can make your own jasmine tea using the buds. Jasmine tea is known for its restorative effects, especially when blended with green tea leaves. Follow these steps to make jasmine tea:

• In the early morning, gently pick jasmine buds, as the fragrance is strongest at this time of day.
• Spread a layer of buds on a baking tray.
• Dry the buds in the oven at the lowest possible temperature – around 93°C or lower. Alternatively, you can dry the buds in a sunny window in a dry room.
• Wait for the buds to dry completely. If you're using the oven, this will take about 3 hours. Be sure not to overcook them.
• Let the buds sit in the tray overnight before storing them.
• Store the buds in an airtight jar. When you're ready to make tea, add a spoonful of buds to hot water. Let it steep for about 4 minutes, then strain and enjoy.

Use jasmine buds to make perfume oil. If you want to capture the rich and sweet fragrance of jasmine flowers to create perfume, you can make your own fragrance oil from fresh buds. You'll need a tightly sealed glass jar and a carrier oil. Almond, jojoba, olive, or castor oil are all great options. Follow these steps to create your own jasmine oil:

• Pick 1/4 cup of jasmine buds in the morning.
• Place the buds in a plastic bag and gently crush them with a hammer to release the oil.
• Place the crushed buds in a jar and pour 1/2 cup of carrier oil over them. Seal the jar and let it sit in a cool, dark place for 24 hours.
• Filter out the buds and smell the oil. If you want a stronger fragrance, repeat the process with fresh buds. Continue infusing the buds in oil until you achieve the desired scent strength.
• Transfer the oil to a dark blue or amber glass bottle for long-term storage. You can dab the oil onto your skin as perfume, or use it as an ingredient for making lotions, lip balms, and other products.

• You can propagate jasmine during the summer by taking cuttings.
• Not all jasmine varieties are fragrant. If you prefer a strong scent, make sure to select a fragrant variety of jasmine.
• Plant jasmine near your home, in a courtyard, or along a path to enjoy the intoxicating aroma of the flowers and to watch hummingbirds and butterflies drawn to the blossoms.
• Use a high-phosphorus fertilizer (15-30-15) to encourage the plant to produce abundant flowers.
• Jasmine thrives under favorable conditions. To control its growth, regular pruning is necessary. Trim the plant after flowering and throughout the summer to promote healthy growth and prevent branches from becoming tangled if you're not training the plant to climb a trellis or other supporting structures.

• Jasmine plant
• Garden shovel
• Garden gloves
• Compost
• Garden rake
• Plant ties
• Dry pine needles