There are many reasons we love plants. Besides their aesthetic appeal, they add freshness to your living space. Additionally, plants may be beneficial to mental health and wellness.
Madagascar Jasmines are beloved because of their several remarkable qualities. These heavenly scented climbing vine plants are popular indoor and outdoor plants.
If you’re thinking of adding them to your garden, you’d need to know a few essential things about these beautiful plants. This article covers all you need to know about Madagascar Jasmines. We’ve rounded up the essential care tips, as well as other facts about the plants.
What are Madagascar Jasmines?
Madagascar Jasmines are known for their clustered white blooms. They are often also called Hawaiian wedding plants because they are a popular option for bridal bouquets and decor. In other areas, people refer to them as wax plants.
The plants are native to Madagascar and flourish best in tropical and subtropical climates. Even though they thrive outside, they are a great choice for indoor plants if given the right care.
Classification
Madagascar Jasmine plants are of the order Gentianales. Contrary to their name, they are not of the genus Jasminum; instead, these flowering plants are of the genus Stephanotis. The botanical name of the Madagascar Jasmine is Stephanotis floribunda.
There are several other species of flowering plants in the genus Stephanotis. However, the Madagascar Jasmines are the most popular.
Appearance and Characteristics
Madagascar Jasmines are known for their waxy white flower clusters. The plants are climbing vines and produce delicate white flowers that are an eye-catcher in any home or garden.
The flowers of this plant usually bloom during the spring months but can continue their bloom even through the summer. These flowers are produced in clusters just along the stems of the plant.
These evergreen climbers can grow up to 20 feet in length. Even though they can get this long, with proper pruning and training, these plants can flower perfectly indoors.
The oval-shaped leaves of this plant can reach 10 cm in length. Its tubular flowers have an intense scent, which is one of these plants’ most loved features. These highly fragrant flowers usually appear in summer and are about 3 cm long. After some days, these flowers will become yellow, and the aromatic scent will turn to a sour smell.
Quick Summary
- Madagascar Jasmine plants originate from Madagascar
- Madagascar Jasmines are not related to Jasmine plants, even though they have some similar features
- These plants are tropical plants and do well in warmer conditions and climates
- These plants have heavily scented and pretty white blooms
- The Madagascar Jasmine can grow to a length of up to 30 cm
- They are great indoor plants when properly cared for
- These plants love stability, and thus minor changes in their environment can cause issues
- They grow best in a loamy soil
- The seed pods of this plant could be harmful to pets.
How to Care for Madagascar Jasmines
Caring for your indoor and outdoor plants is essential if you want them to be at their best. Many people consider Madagascar Jasmines to be a complex plant to grow.
However, observing the right conditions and practices will help your plants thrive. Here are a few things to pay attention to when taking care of your Madagascar Jasmine.
Sunlight
Generally speaking, your Madagascar Jasmine loves a lot of bright light. However, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight could damage your plant’s foliage. So, ensure your plant has lots of indirect bright light for the perfect bloom. Even the slightest changes in its lighting can cause the flowers to fall off as soon as their flower buds. Thus, when the flower buds, it’s best not to move the plant around.
For the best blooms, put your Madagascar Jasmines on a sunny windowsill that does not receive direct sunlight. Also, a sunroom or a greenhouse might provide perfect lighting conditions for the plant to thrive.
If the plant is outdoors, ensure it has plenty of light while protecting it from direct sunshine. The plant may wither if exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period of time.
Watering
Your plant’s ability to thrive will depend on how much water it receives. Over-watering your Madagascar Jasmine can cause issues like yellowing leaves. Likewise, not watering it enough can also cause it not to grow properly.
First, ensure that you’re using a flowering pot with holes at the bottom for water to escape. Throughout the spring and fall months, water your plants thoroughly until water runs from the holes at the bottom of the flower pot.
When your plant stops flowering in the winter, try to keep the soil barely moist.
The plant requires more moisture if it starts to wilt. So, in order to determine what your plant requires, you must pay great attention to every component of it. If you live in an area with hard water, it’s best to use rainwater or distilled water to water your plants.
Humidity & Temperature
Every plant grower knows that ideal humidity and temperature is key to producing healthy plants. A humidity level of 60% is ideal for this plant’s growth. If the relative humidity drops significantly lower, you might want to use room humidifiers.
Alternatively, you can consider standing the flower pot on damp pebbles to maintain perfect humidity. These plants will do great in temperatures of 65° to 70°F and might also thrive in warmer spaces with enough humidity.
Try to keep your plants away from drafts or vents as they do not do so well with fluctuations in temperature.
Cleaning
You can wipe the plant’s leaves with a damp cloth occasionally.
Fertilizer & Soil
The best potting mix for this plant might include peat moss and perlite or coarse sand. Use peat moss and perlite in a 2:1 ratio for an ideal soil.
Also, a liquid fertilizer high in phosphorus will do your plant some good during the spring and summer months. Use this fertilizer twice a month.
Repotting
For Madagascar Jasmines, try to keep repotting down to every two or three years. Any more, and your plant may not be able to endure it. Repotting is best done after pruning in spring. Ensure the roots have filled the pot before repotting.
Growing in Garden
Ensure that the soil acidity in your garden ranges from 5.6 to 6.5 pH. If it’s not, you can amend the soil’s acidity with suitable compost. You will need to use stakes to keep these plants upright when in the garden. It’s best to plant them in a part of the garden that doesn’t receive hours of direct sunlight or wind.
How and When to Prune
Note that trimming this plant may not always encourage new growth. However, a trim is necessary for aesthetics and space-saving.
Periodic pruning is necessary, especially before the spring flowering season. To keep bare stems away, prune your plant back in early winter.
Problems With Madagascar Jasmine Plants
One of the significant issues with Madagascar Jasmines is that the flower buds and flowers easily fall off. These can happen due to the slightest change in environmental conditions. Overwatering can also cause yellow leaves.
Pesky fungus gnats are fond of these plants and can cause issues. However, you can quickly eliminate them with insecticides. Use a malathion spray monthly to keep the bugs away.
Another common issue is shriveling flower buds. If you notice this, water your plant more often.
How to Propagate Madagascar Jasmine Plants
If you’re lucky to see fruits appear on your plants, then you might be able to propagate by seed. However, cutting the non-flowering stems in the summer is more common.
First, pick a shoot with two nodes/healthy leaves and cut off the stem under the second pair. Dip the cut into hormone-rooting powder and dust off excess powder. Then put the cutting inside a potting mixture, water, and cover the pot with a plastic bag for 21 days.
Only take off the plastic cover for five minutes daily, and ensure to keep the temperature around 70°F. After three weeks, repot in a regular potting mixture.
Why Should You Grow a Madagascar Jasmine?
Madagascar Jasmines are a magnificent addition to your house or garden. Their trailing tendrils give your house or yard a beautiful look.
The rich contrast of the dark green leaves and white flower clusters make them a favorite among gardening enthusiasts. The famous scent of the flowers is another excellent reason people love these plants.
Facts about Madagascar Jasmines
There are several unique facts about Madagascar Jasmine plants, and we’ll explore some in this section.
How big does a Madagascar Jasmine get?
When fully mature, the vines of a Madagascar Jasmine can grow up to 20 feet. On average, however, they grow to about 15 feet.
Its glossy leaves grow to about 5 cm to 10 cm in length and spread, and its scented flowers are about 3cm in diameter. On rare occasions, your plant might bear an inedible fruit about 10 cm long. This fruit resembles an unripe avocado and contains seeds by which the plant can be propagated.
What are Madagascar Jasmines good for?
Besides their use for home decor, Madagascar Jasmines make a fantastic bridal bouquet. These plants have a floral musky scent that can fill a room.
Are Madagascar Jasmines poisonous?
Madagascar Jasmine plants are considered non-toxic.
Is Madagascar Jasmine poisonous to pets?
Generally, these plants are considered safe and non-toxic to house pets. However, some anecdotal evidence suggests that the seed pods could be poisonous to dogs. To ensure safety, it’s best to keep this plant away from the reach of your pets.
How fast do Madagascar Jasmines grow?
Madagascar Jasmines require some time to grow and flower. Planting them outside might cause them to grow faster and broader. Propagation of this plant might also take a year to complete.
Common FAQs
How much light do Madagascar Jasmines need?
As we stated earlier, Madagascar Jasmines flourish in bright sunny areas. However, they may not do so well when exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged hours every day. Thus, it’s best to keep your plants in an area where they would receive maximum light and little direct sunlight.
What is special about Madagascar Jasmine?
By far, the most notable characteristic of the Madagascar Jasmine is its stunning white blooms. Many brides choose it for their special day because of its pure white blooms. These blooms have a pleasant mood-lifting fragrance that can last a month.
Are Madagascar Jasmine plants good indoor plants?
Although traditionally grown outside, the Madagascar Jasmine is a great indoor plant. Since it is a vine, growing it indoors will require you to use a structure for support. It’s easy to train your plant around a frame, hoop, or trellis. To do this, simply tie the plant to the structure with a florist string.
You must also provide the optimal environment for its growth and blossoming if you plan to grow it inside.
Can Madagascar Jasmine plants survive in low light?
Madagascar Jasmines require medium to bright light for optimum growth. Your plant won’t grow as well as it should if there is insufficient light.
Why don’t Madagascar Jasmine plants grow?
For the Madagascar Jasmine to grow well, everything must be right. This plant needs all the right boxes checked, from temperature to humidity to soil and light.
If your plant is not growing, it may be an issue of insufficient light. Also, these plants do not do well with frequent moving. Thus, it’s best to choose a good spot from the beginning. When it is really cold (below 10°F), the plant will suffer, and the buds will fall off. In these conditions, your plant will also have a difficult time growing.
Summary
Undoubtedly, the Madagascar Jasmine is a fabulous plant to grow and nurture. Its hard-to-miss scent and pretty, fragrant blooms make it a lovable plant.
Although it requires special care and attention, Madagascar Jasmines are a beauty to behold when healthy and cared for. Observe the care tips we gave and watch your plants bloom and thrive.
