Description
- Common names:
- Arabian Jasmine, Sambac Jasmine, Jasmine Sambac, Jazmín Árabe, Jazmín de Arabia, Pikake, Mogra, Tuscan Jasmine
- Botanical name:
- Jasminum sambac, Cestrum nocturnum
- Description:
- A tropical evergreen shrub with glossy dark green leaves and intoxicatingly fragrant white flowers that bloom at night, perfect for perfuming patios and indoor spaces.
Features
- Rarity:
- Common Household Favorite
- Pet & Babies safety:
- Non-Toxic & Pet-Friendly
- Air Purifier:
- Moderate Air Purifier (6/10)
- Form factor:
- Upright Bush, Climbing Liana, Flowering, Glossy Leaves
- Origin:
- Southeast Asia
- Aesthetic advantages:
- Living Room, Bedroom, Balcony, Patio Garden, Hanging Basket, Bohemian, Tropical, Mediterranean, Asian-Inspired, Near Windows for Fragrance
Care Guide
Care level:
Intermediate+
Requires consistent care with regular watering, good light, and occasional pruning to maintain shape and encourage blooming. Rewards attentive owners with spectacular fragrant flowers but is less forgiving of neglect than hardy houseplants.
Light:
Bright / Indirect Light+
Thrives in bright, indirect light near a south or west-facing window with filtered sun, or can tolerate 4-6 hours of direct morning sunlight. Insufficient light will result in poor flowering and leggy growth.
Water:
Keep Soil Moist+
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, maintaining consistently moist but not waterlogged soil. Overwatering can cause root rot, while underwatering will cause bud drop and wilting.
Humidity:
Prefers High Humidity+
Prefers humidity levels above 50-60% for optimal growth and flowering. Increase humidity by placing on a pebble tray, grouping with other plants, or using a room humidifier, especially during dry winter months.
Temperature:
Prefers Warmth+
Thrives in warm temperatures between 18-27°C / 65-80°F and does not tolerate cold well. Keep away from cold drafts, air conditioning vents, and temperatures below 10°C / 50°F which can damage the plant.
Hardiness zones:
Zones 9-11+
Hardy outdoors year-round in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11 where temperatures rarely drop below freezing. In cooler zones, grow as a container plant and bring indoors before the first frost, or keep as a houseplant year-round.
Fertilizing:
Feed Monthly+
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10) or bloom-boosting formula (low nitrogen, higher phosphorus) monthly during the active growing season from spring through fall. Reduce or stop fertilizing in winter when growth slows.
Repotting:
Repot Every 2-3 Years+
Repot every 2-3 years in spring when roots become crowded or visible through drainage holes. Use a well-draining potting mix with added perlite or sand, and choose a container only 1-2 inches larger than the current pot.
Cleaning:
Wipe Leaves Regularly+
Gently wipe the glossy leaves with a damp cloth every 2-3 weeks to remove dust and allow the plant to photosynthesize efficiently. Clean leaves also help prevent pest infestations like spider mites and scale.
Propagation:
Propagates by Cuttings+
Easily propagated by taking 4-6 inch semi-hardwood stem cuttings in spring or summer, removing lower leaves, and placing in moist soil or water until roots develop in 3-4 weeks. Rooting hormone increases success rate.