Jasmine in bloom

Credit: Maja Dumat

Jasmine on a trellis

Credit: Jim Evans

Jasmine leaf

Credit: David J.Stang

Jasmine bud

Credit: Sumita Roy Dutta

Jasminum officinale, the real jasmine

When we speak of jasmine, we often mean star jasmine, Jasminum polyanthum or Jasminum grandiflorum. For purists and botanists, the real jasmine is Jasminum officinale. This plant, native to the Himalayas and belonging to the Oleaceaea family, was the first of the Jasminum genus to be described by Linné, in 1753.

How do you recognize Jasminum officinale?

Jasminum officinale, in Latin Jasminum officinale, is a sarmentose shrub. A climber, it reaches heights of three to six meters and widths of eight to twelve.

Stems are green for the first few years. When they reach maturity, they turn gray.

The officinal jasmine has deciduous or semi-evergreen foliage. When temperatures are too cool, the leaf blades fall off. They grow back again in spring. Leaves are divided into three to nine hairless, medium-green leaflets. The terminal leaflet, at the end of the rachis, is longer and lanceolate than the others.

True jasmine blooms in summer. Between May and September, it displays bouquets of tubular, five-lobed flowers. The flowers are white, sometimes with purple undersides. The buds are immaculate.

In autumn, they are replaced by black, globular berries.

Jasminum officinale is non-toxic. It is used in Chinese medicine to treat gall and shingles. More glamorous, perfume designers appreciate theheady, carnal scent of its flowers.

Our maintenance tips

Hardy, jasminum officinale can withstand winter frosts. Just be sure to protect them from the cold so that the stump doesn't die, and don't expose their flowers to too much sun. They may burn.

Watering

Water only when the substrate has dried on the surface (one or two centimeters).

Use non-calcareous water, such as rainwater or mineral water, at room temperature. Pour it over the soil, avoiding the foliage.

To prevent root rot, remove any water that collects in the dish or planter.

Spray

To provide your Jasminum officinale with the necessary humidity, mist its foliage with non-calcareous water at room temperature. If filtered water is not available, you can collect rainwater and use it for misting.

Repotting

Every spring, repot your Jasminum officinale to give it more space.

Soak the root ball of your Jasmine officinal until the air bubbles disappear.

Choose a pierced pot, preferably terracotta, and a support (stake, trellis, dome or tower) to which the plant can wrap itself. Jasminum officinale grow quickly. You can use a container two to four times larger than the previous one, especially if you're repotting after purchase.

Line the bottom with a bed of gravel or clay balls to optimize drainage. If you need to plant your stake, do so now.

Add a layer of substrate. Choose a rich, light mix, such as potting soil for Mediterranean plants or garden soil with sand.

Place your Jasmine officinal in the center. Place the vines on the substrate. Fill with potting soil and press gently to remove air bubbles. Water for the first time to encourage rooting.

Fertilization

To promote the growth of your Jasminum officinale, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.

Feed your Jasmine officinal with a special liquid fertilizer for flowering plants.

Prune

Start by removing wilted flowers.

Then, using clean, sharp pruning shears, cut back dead branches.

You can shorten the others by ten to fifteen centimetres to control the plant's development.

Pinch

Pinching improves branching. When new leaves appear, take them between your fingers. Section the leaf with your fingernails.

Plantation

When the risk of frost has passed, it's time to plant.

Choose a location in partial shade and sheltered from the wind. Jasminum officinale are climbing plants. Set them up next to a wall, pergola or arbour, or provide them with a support to wrap around. Is your soil heavy and compact? It's best to loosen it before planting your Jasmine officinal.

Soak the root ball while you dig a hole three times as big. Place pebbles or sand at the bottom for drainage, and compost or fertilizer for growth.

Plant your specimen in the center. The root ball should be three centimetres below the ground. Fill in with your garden soil.

Tamp gently to avoid damaging the roots, then water. You can mulch the soil to keep it cool and limit watering.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

On a healthy stem, cut a section at least ten centimeters long with a clean, sharp tool. Remove the leaves at the base.

Place your cutting in a glass of water at room temperature. Change the water regularly to keep it clear.

Place your graft in a bright spot away from direct sunlight while the roots develop.

Diseases / Threats

Aphids

Red spiders

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Oleaceae - Oleaceae
Type	Jasmine - Jasminum
Species	Jasmine - Jasminum officinale
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Semi-evergreen
Exposure	Half-shade
Substrat	Humus soil
Planting methods	Open ground In pots In tubs
Categories	Shrub Climber Flowery
Tags	Flowery Rustic
Origin	South Asia
Hardiness (USDA)	8a
Leaf color
Flower colors
Fruit color