The one known as Madagascar jasmine is a beautiful climbing plant with white, fragrant and highly decorative flowers, thanks to which it is tremendously popular in the decoration of gardens and well-lit indoor spaces.
If you want to know the Madagascar jasmine care In a pot or outdoors, join us in this Green Ecologist guide in which we show you all the care that this plant needs.
Characteristics of the Madagascar jasmine
Its scientific name is Stephanotis floribunda and, as its common name suggests, it is a tropical climbing plant native to the island of Madagascar. Its beautiful leaves, which are perennial and of a lustrous dark green, stand out, as well as its tubular flowers with five petals, white and with a pleasant aroma. And how long does the Madagascar jasmine flower? These appear in the spring with the warm months and, if the conditions are good, the flowering lasts until the fall.
In florists and nurseries it tends to be sold with the stem arranged in the shape of an arch, although in a pot this plant can reach heights of up to 5 meters. In their natural environment, in Madagascar, these vines can grow up to 20 meters.
The fruit of the Madagascar jasmine is not suitable for consumption and is filled with a large number of feathered seeds, although it takes at least a year to reach full maturity.
To learn more, here you can learn about the different types of jasmine.
Location for Madagascar jasmine
This plant, due to its tropical origin, needs a lot of light, not responding well to shady locations or very dark rooms. Of course, in its natural habitat it grows below the tree dome, so it does not tolerate direct sunlight, which could burn its leaves and prevent flowering.
Keep your Madagascar jasmine plant in a bright space but protected from direct sun rays, especially in the hours of greatest intensity at noon.
Regarding temperature, its ideal point is in the 18 ºCAlthough it can do well in temperatures of up to 30ºC during the warm months. It is important, that yes, that the cold months pass below 20 ºC to be able to enter into vegetative rest. Its lower limit is at 10 ºC, so it is a plant that does not tolerate frost under any concept. It is also important to give it a location protected from wind currents, both cold and warm air, and it needs air that is clean of fumes and gases.
Irrigation and moisture for Madagascar jasmine
Along with its delicate location, irrigation is one of the most important care for this plant. Starting in the spring, you need very constant and deep watering, maintaining a certain level of humidity in the substrate, although always without flooding and, if it is in a pot, removing the excess water from the dish after watering.
It also needs high humidity, so in dry environments it is recommended to spray warm water on its leaves so that they do not dry out. It is important that both the irrigation and the spraying are done with rainwater or, if it is from the tap, that it is allowed to settle for 24 hours before.
Substrate and compost for Stephanotis floribunda
This plant needs a soil rich in nutrients and organic matter, in addition to also requiring a drainage as best as possible to avoid flooding. Because of this, one of the best mixes that we can prepare is with a part of peat, another of coconut fiber and another of worm castings, to which vermiculite and perlite can be added. This is our most universal mix for plants without very specific needs, as it is light, airy, highly draining and very rich in organic matter.
In addition, once a year we must transplant the plant into a slightly larger pot, so that the plant receives new nutrients and can continue to grow. It is also important to apply compost, either liquid or in the form of humus, when the warm months arrive.
Pruning the Madagascar jasmine
At the beginning of their growing season, in spring, they should prune the stems of the Stephanotis floribunda If we want to keep its growth controlled, but it is important not to prune the stems at their base and plug the cuts that produce latex with cold water.
Learn more about when and how to prune jasmine here.
Madagascar jasmine multiplication
The Madagascar jasmine cuttings They should be cut just below the knot and with an oblique cut, about 10 cm in length. The upper 2 or 3 leaves are left, removing the others, and the latex fluid is cut by submerging the cutting in cold water.
After this, the stem is immersed in rooting agent and it is planted at about 2 cm. In about 8-10 weeks, if the cutting has been successful, the plant will have rooted. After this, we can transplant it to its new location and put a guardian on it.
Why does my Madagascar jasmine have yellow leaves?
What to do when jasmine turns yellow? Usually, the most common problems with Madagascar jasmine in this regard are that the plant has been watered with calcareous water or that it has been subjected to sudden changes in temperature.
It may also happen that your plant is affected by a plague, the most common being the scale in the Madagascar jasmine. Look for these insects on the stems and undersides of the leaves and, if you find, treat the pest with an ecological insecticide, such as potassium soap or by hand with a little cotton soaked in alcohol.
For more information, we encourage you to read this other guide on Causes of yellow leaves in jasmine and how to cure it.
If you want to read more articles similar to Jasmine from Madagascar: care, we recommend that you enter our category of Cultivation and care of plants.
