Pink Jasmine – Jasminum polyanthum Care & Propagating Tips

Jasminum polyanthum has many names, like white jasmine and many-flowered jasmine, but it is popularly known as pink jasmine. This species belongs to the Oleaceae family and is an evergreen climbing vine known for blooming ample aromatic pink-white flowers. Its adaptable nature makes it a popular choice among many gardening enthusiasts and landscape designers; its foliage proliferates, can transform your dull patio and yard, and is easy to maintain. Jasminum polyanthum is an admirable and easy-to-grow houseplant in the United States and Europe.

Pink jasmine blooming season starts in early spring and then in late winter. The buds of pink jasmine appear pinkish, and after blooming, you will get five petalled starry alluring flowers that smell like heaven. With proper support, it can grow to a height of 6 meters. Pink jasmine also produces black color berries. It’s an indigenous flowering vine of Myanmar and China, especially Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guizhou. In many cultures, pink jasmine is a symbol of love and purity.

Pink Jasmine Plant Care 

The secret behind a healthy vine or plant full of flowers is all the care and attention given to that plant. The pink jasmine plant is an eye-catching climbing vine that blooms in abundant sweet-scented flowers. You must have this scented beauty to transform your patio or yard. Here are some tips to quickly grow these beauties and enjoy their foliage without hindrance.

Soil 

Making soil for pink jasmine is crucial because it will provide the necessary nutrients to your plant to help it develop in its growing stage and blooming flowers. Pink jasmine is not choosy when it comes to soil. Just provide them with well-draining free or loose soil they are more than happy with; I also recommend mixing organic compost in the soil to boost its nutritional value. If you will plant your pink jasmine plant in a pot or container, then make sure it has a drainage hole and use an organic potting mix for your plant.

Water 

For some of you, watering your plant may be a stress-busting and satisfying routine, and yes, it is, but keeping certain things in mind while watering your plant will keep them on the safer side. The pink jasmine plant likes slightly moist soil, but don’t overwater it. It can lead to root rot. You don’t have to worry about grounded plants, but your indoor planted jasmine pot needs little attention while watering. If you are still deciding when to water your jasmine, check the soil with your fingers before watering. If the upper layer of soil feels dry after touching, it needs water.

Sunlight 

If you need clarification about how much sun pink jasmine needs, here’s an answer: Pink jasmine plants need full sunlight to thrive, but they can grow well in partially shady areas. Don’t plant them in complete shade. It will impact the plant, and you will witness leggy growth and less flowering. Plant or place your potted jasmine plant in an area where it can get 4-5 hours of direct sunlight, but harsh midday sunlight can harm its foliage.

Fertilizer 

Feeding pink jasmine at the right time benefits their overall growth, like fertilizing the plant with a balanced NPK fertilizer in its initial growing period, which will help it develop strong roots and healthy foliage. When the flowering season is about to start, you can feed them with a phosphorus-rich fertilizer, which will help them bloom more vividly. You must reduce the dosages in winter; in summer, you can feed them twice monthly.

Temperature & Humidity

The comfortable temperature for pink jasmine in the daytime is 15-24 C, and at night time, 13-18 C. This temperature gives them a home-like feel; you will see vigorous growth and blooming. They can handle little heat in summer, and in winter, they want a comfy environment. Balanced temperature allows pink jasmine to bloom more flowers because the plant is not stressed. If pests haven’t infested your jasmine plant and you start seeing signs like wilting, leaf discoloration, and stunted growth, your plant might be under temperature stress.

Pink Jasmine Propagation

The pink jasmine plant displays fantastic foliage with its alluring scented blooms, and the heavy flowering in this climber makes it more attractive; if your plant is mature enough, you can double your plant with two propagation methods, so let’s learn how to grow more plants with these methods.

Through Cutting

This is the most popular method of propagating new plants through cuttings from a matured plant. So, let’s see how to propagate pink jasmine plants by cutting them.

• Select a healthy and mature stem and, using a clean and sharp cutter, cut at a 45-degree angle. It increases the surface area for root growth, allowing more water absorption. 
  
• Always make a 4-6 inch extended cut below a leaf node.
  
• Prepare a pot with a drainage hole and nutrient-rich soil.
  
• After dipping the end part of your cutting into rooting hormone, you can plant them in your prepared pot. Rooting hormone will boost the chances of root growth in your cutting.

Through Layering 

Air layering is a sure-shot method of propagating new plants. In this technique, the stem we choose for propagation is still attached to the parent plant, and by wrapping some rooting agent, we encourage rooting the stem. Let’s see the step-by-step process of propagating a pink jasmine plant through air layering.

• First of all, select a healthy stem and remove the leaves around the stem where you are going to remove the ring of bark.
  
• Make a round wound on the stem, peel the bark, and sprinkle some rooting hormone powder.
  
• Now, wrap the wounded area with a handful of sphagnum moss and wrap it with plastic, aluminum foil, or transparent tape.
  
• It will take around a month to develop roots on the stem fully.
  
• Now cut the stem below the new roots, and your new pink jasmine plant will be ready. You can plant it wherever you want.

Common Pests 

Deterring pests from your favorite jasmine plant is very important for maintaining its growth and foliage so that it can keep offering its aromatic blooms. Spotting and identifying pests at an early stage will help you to deter them. Here are some common pests that can attack your beautiful pink jasmine plant.

Spider Mites: If you are witnessing webs on the jasmine leaves, then it might be under attack by spider mites. These mites will look red, green, or light brown. At an early stage, you can deter them with pressure water spray, but if the infestation is too high, use organic miticides.

Scale Insects: Scale insects look like a bump on your pink jasmine plant, which devours on plant sap, piercing their mouthparts into the plant’s tissue. They also secret honeydew, which works as a host for growing sooty mold. If the infestation is low, you can manually scrape them off your plant’s stem.

Mealybugs: They will look like cotton on your plant’s stems and act as a living agent that invites other pathogens that can infect your pink jasmine plant. You can treat them with the help of insecticidal soap or neem oil spray. Keep an eye on your plant to detect these kinds of pests early.

Common Problems And Their Solutions 

Pale Foliage Or Yellow Leaves 

• If you are witnessing yellow leaves and flowers drooping in your pink jasmine plant, then it’s a sign of overwatering. It’s time to rethink your watering routine. Recheck your pot or container drainage hole so that it is not blocked. Pests can also be found behind the plant’s yellow foliage.
  
• Overwatering plants also increase the soil’s moisture level, inviting fungi like mold and powdery mildew.
  
• Overwatering can also cause root rot. If you detect root rot, remove your plant from the pot, cut off the rotted roots, and repot your plant into a germ-free, well-draining soil with good air circulation.

Crispy Leaves 

Sunburn and Underwatering are the main reasons behind your jasmine plant’s dull and crispy leaves. Giving attention to your plant for watering is necessary to avoid underwatering, and to deal with sunburn, you have to relocate your plant to a partially shady area.

Landscaping & Decorating Ideas

• Pink jasmine is known for its vigorous growth and trailing abilities. You can train them to climb on trellises, balconies, walls, fences, and arbors. If you have a patio or a sitting area in your yard or garden, you can plant and train these sweet-scented flowers in arcs to enjoy your evening and morning tea. I bet you it will be a surreal experience.
  
• On the terrace garden, you can fix a net vertically on a wall and train your pink jasmine plant to climb on it, creating a stunning look.
  
• You can also plant them in 5-6 hanging baskets and hang them horizontally; the showering vines will create a decent look.

Impact On Pollinators 

The pink jasmine plant is a pollinator puller because of its aromatic blooms; bees and other pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to it. Also, they help each other, like jasmine, provide nectar, and in return, pollinators help pollinate their seeds and create a biodiverse habitat while supporting the local ecosystem.

How To Buy A Healthy Pink Jasmine Plant 

• Look For Healthy Foliage – Look for a healthy jasmine plant with green foliage; check for yellow or brown leaves. It’s a sign that this plant is not getting proper water. Don’t buy the plant if you see dark spots and webs on the leaves. It is likely to be under pest attack or prone to any disease.
  
• Avoid Buying Sitting Old Plants – Don’t purchase plants that have been in the nursery for a long time because plants grow in small containers in a nursery, and slowly, their roots start to grow around a circle, creating a root bounding. Then, the plant struggles for water absorption, which makes the plant sick.
  
• Go For Immature Plant – When it comes to plants, bigger is not always better; younger plants don’t have top growth, so their root system is not under stress to give support to grow vertically. It can utilize its energy to grow stronger roots. Immature plants can quickly adapt to the environment of your garden, and then the plant grows in a larger container.

Conclusion

Pink Jasmine is truly a magical plant. With some care and attention, this plant will never disappoint you in the blooming season. With its abundance of fragranced blooms, it will attract attract guests and neighbors’ attention. So whether you are a pro at gardening or a newbie looking for an aromatic vining plant, this is the perfect choice to start with purchasing a single plant. You will double it with the above shared propagating methods. Also, if you find this article helpful, you can share it in your gardening community.

Happy Gardening