Growing jasmine in a pot

What type of pot for a jasmine?

Whether it’s star jasmine or winter jasmine, jasmine is a flowering bush that remains quite vigorous. It stays that way even when grown in a pot, as long as it has a container that is large enough.

Jasmine in a pot (Jasminum polyanthum) ©cultivar413 – Flickr

Indeed, the vigorous rooting of jasmine requires us to grow it in a pot or container of at least 50 cm in all directions.

Also, make sure to plant it in a container with drainage holes to ensure good drainage.

What substrate to use for growing jasmine in a pot?

Jasmin is not very demanding regarding the type of soil in which it is grown. In open ground, it can even be planted in dry, poor, and stony soil.

However, it is preferable to install your jasmin in a pot with a rich, light, well-drained substrate that is kept moist. A good potting mix for Mediterranean plants is particularly recommended. A good potting mix for geraniums can also work, provided it is lightened with perlite or coarse sand.

Note: be careful with the drainage of the substrate, as star jasmine is sensitive to excess water, which causes yellowing and leaf drop.

When and how to plant jasmine in a pot?

Jasmine can be potted in spring, between the end of March and May.

1. Place a layer of clay balls at the bottom of the pot.
2. Soak the root ball in a bucket of water for a few minutes.
3. Install the jasmine along with its support and fill the pot with the substrate.
4. Firm down and water generously.
5. Mulch the surface of the pot to reduce evaporation.

Where to place potted jasmine?

Jasmine, even in a pot, is a bush that enjoys warm, sunny locations, although it tolerates partial shade.

Climbing jasmine in a courtyard pot

For a jasmine on a balcony or terrace, place your pot preferably in a south or west-facing position, and always sheltered from cold winds.

For indoor jasmine, position it in a well-lit and ventilated room, again preferably facing south or west. It is interesting to note that some varieties of jasmine can be grown in less bright rooms. This is particularly true for Jasminum grandiflorum.

In any case, you can move your potted jasmine outdoors during the warm season, but it must be stored away from the cold during winter, especially for star jasmine or Arabian jasmine. It is preferable that the room temperature does not exceed 15 °C. A conservatory or a temperate greenhouse is therefore perfectly suitable for a potted jasmine.

Caring for a potted jasmine

Although easy to care for, potted jasmine requires some attention to thrive and amaze you with its beautiful flowering.

Watering Potted Jasmine Outdoors

As we have seen, jasmine is sensitive to excess moisture. Throughout the summer, water lightly but very regularly. This way, jasmine will enjoy a fresh substrate without being waterlogged.

Some jasmines appreciate cool, humid conditions during their late winter flowering. This is particularly true for Jasminum polyanthum. In this case, do not hesitate to mist its foliage regularly with non-calcareous water.

During the winter period, space out your waterings. Between two waterings, the surface of the substrate should dry out to about 1 cm.

Special Case of Indoor Jasmine: If the jasmine in a pot is overwintered or grown indoors, continue to water it once a week or so.

Fertilising Potted Jasmine

Potted jasmine enjoys rich substrates. From early spring until mid-September, apply fertiliser to your bush twice a month. If it continues to grow during the winter, you can also keep fertilising your potted jasmine, but only once a month. However, stop all fertilisation in autumn if your jasmine has ceased to grow or flower.

Use a low-nitrogen liquid fertiliser, such as special rose fertiliser diluted in the watering water.

Proper fertilisation ensures continuous flowering throughout the summer, although less abundant than in spring.

Training Climbing Jasmine in Pots

The long, woody climbing stems of jasmine often need assistance to cling to their support. Ideally, use a trellis-type support. This is very practical for training and bending the stems of potted climbing jasmine, encouraging it to flower.

Yellow flowers of a potted climbing jasmine (Jasminum mesnyi) ©Wendy Cutler – Flickr

1. Weave the climbing stems of jasmine and tie them to their support.
2. Gently bend each branch to avoid breaking them.
3. Leave the tip of each stem free for about 20 cm.

Note: some jasmines can also be trained as bushy shrubs rather than climbing, provided they are pruned for this purpose.

Pruning Potted Jasmine

Pruning potted jasmine should be light and always occurs after flowering. The aim is to limit the plant’s expansion and remove dry, weak, and damaged branches. This refreshment also helps maintain a dense habit and encourages flowering.

To maintain a compact habit, cut back the spent branches every 2 to 3 years, at a large bud or just above the young shoots. This operation is again performed after the flowering of the star jasmine or otherwise.

When jasmine reaches the age of 3, cut back up to ¼ of its stems at the base. This operation encourages the formation of young shoots.

Repotting Potted Jasmine

Repotting potted jasmine occurs in spring or autumn. This operation should be repeated every 2 to 3 years, when the plant’s roots begin to escape from the pot.

1. Remove the bush from its pot.
2. Gently untangle the most entangled roots (without insisting).
3. Repot the jasmine in its new container filled with the same substrate mentioned earlier.