How to Grow and Care for an Indoor Jasmine Plant

From the teas you drink to the perfume you wear, jasmine is beloved for its signature floral scent. While there are several different types of jasmine plants, the genus Jasminum, also known as Jasminum sambac and J.polyanthum, are true jasmines.

True jasmines are shrubs and vines that generally become quite large over time, but you can enjoy them as houseplants, too, says Marc Hachadourian, the director of glasshouse horticulture and senior curator of orchids at the New York Botanical Garden. These are "celebrated for the powerful, sweet fragrance produced by the mostly white, star-shaped flowers on vining or shrubby plants," he says.

You can even purchase some affordable, ready-to-bloom varieties that "appeal to the home throughout the winter months and are a perfect gift idea for flower gardeners," says Tonya Barnett, YouTube creator of FRESHCUTKY Cut Flower & Vegetable Garden. Our experts break down the best ways to grow and care for indoor jasmine plants.

The Best Indoor Jasmine Plant Varieties

Within the jasmine varieties, there are actually a few that suit indoor gardening best.

Jasminum Sambac

This indoor jasmine plant is known for its classic fragrance that you'll likely recognize. "The cultivar Grand Duke of Tuscany with double flowers is one of the best for fragrance and flowering," Hachadourian says. "This is a strong grower with stiff upright stems that benefit from seasonal pruning to control their height and encourage branching for more flowers." This plant blooms during the summer and flourishes in hot, humid conditions. You can also try out the cultivar Maid of Orleans, which is also great for indoor gardening.

Jasminum Polyanthum

A popular variety, this type of jasmine also happens to be Hachadourian's favorite. "In late winter to early spring, pink-tinged buds open into a profusion of white star-shaped blooms with a powerful, sweet fragrance," he says. "This jasmine does need a cooler period to initiate blooms, but the amazing floral display makes it worth the effort." This vining plant thrives in a hanging basket or on a decorative trellis and blooms during the winter. Barnett adds that this variety can produce flowers from late December into March.

Jasminum Grandiflorum

This fragrant option blooms on and off during the year. It's also semi-deciduous, so it only loses its foliage for a short period of time when new growth is coming in.

How to Grow Jasmine Plants Indoors

To effectively grow jasmine plants inside your home, you'll need to follow these lighting, soil, and watering tips.

Light

Jasmine plants love bright, sunny locations. While jasmine should get at least six hours of sunlight each day, Barnett says that it should be strong, indirect light.

Soil

Pot jasmine plants in a slightly acidic, well-drained soil with good organic content. Also, keep in mind that you can cut back on the feeding and fertilizing process during the winter since the growth slows down during that time.

Water

Overall, jasmine should be slightly moist. However, in the winter months, the plants dry out a bit more, says Teri Speight, a master gardener, writer, podcaster, blogger, and the author of Black Flora: Profiles of Inspiring Black Flower Farmers and Florists. The soil should always drain well, as this will help prevent plant disease or pests. Typically, watering once a week will suffice.

How to Care for Indoor Jasmine Plants

Make sure to place your indoor jasmine plants in cooler, draft-free conditions (about 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit) during the winter. "[Winter] is a time for the plant to get a little rest before bursting into bloom again," says Speight. "These conditions will encourage budding and blooming."

Pruning

Since jasmine grows rapidly, pruning will be a necessary step to keep the plant in shape, encourage branching, and help them bloom. The best time to prune them is just after flowering, the garden experts say. Shortly after your indoor jasmine plants start flowering, you will need to prune back by half an inch (there should be at least three to six sets of leaves on each branch).

"Shrubby species like Jasminum sambac should be only pruned in late spring and mid-summer to encourage more branches and flower buds over time," says Hachadourian. "You will definitely need some space to allow them to mature, but the intoxicating fragrance is absolutely worth it." As the fall season nears, you can then stop pruning and let the plants experience cooler temperatures so the buds can set—especially Jasminum polyanthum.

Fertilizing

Fertilize with an organic option every four to six weeks, as this will ensure consistent growth, says Speight. If you over-fertilize, you will spur a rapid growth, which is not ideal. Speight says that a moderate, consistent feeding and watering plan should be developed for jasmine. "Only fertilize between spring and fall; never feed over the winter," she says.

Training Vining Jasmine

You can train vining jasmine species, like Jasminum polyanthum, on a trellis, or allow them to cascade out of a basket.

How to Repot Indoor Jasmine Plants

The best time to repot jasmine is in the spring and early summer, however, only if the plant is root bound. "If the roots are showing from the bottom of the pot or are visible emerging from the soil, repot using a pot no more than one to two sizes larger than the original pot," says Speight. "Use a well-draining good quality potting soil."

Follow Speight's steps to repot your jasmine plant:

1. Loosen the root ball and allow good soil to root contact.
2. Gently tamp the soil and water well to remove any air pockets. Make sure there are no flower buds when repotting or the buds will most likely drop off and not flower until the plant gets situated.

How to Propagate Jasmine

Whenever you propagate, make sure you are only cutting from new growth on your jasmine plant. Make sure to snip no more than 3 to 4 inches off the plant. This is a slow process, averaging four-plus weeks.

Here are Speight's best practices for propagate a jasmine plant:

1. Place the cuttings in loose draining potting soil or Leca so the roots have room to roam.
2. Place a growing dome or plastic bag over the cuttings to help the soil maintain moisture.
3. Make sure they are in a partially shaded area—not full sun.
4. Be certain to allow enough room for the cuttings to not touch the top of the canopy or growth chamber.
5. After the roots have developed and are visible, remove the covering. Ease the new plants into a warm, well-lit room for continued growth.

How to Harvest Jasmine

Before you try to harvest jasmine for tea, make sure you double-check the type of jasmine plant: "First and foremost, those wishing to do so will need to make absolutely certain that the correct type of jasmine is grown (true jasmines are the correct variety)," Barnett says. She notes that some "jasmine" plants could belong to different plant genuses that are, in fact, dangerous to eat or drink.

Follow Barnett's tips to harvest true jasmines:

1. Pick the jasmine plant as soon as they open—simply place the flowers in a cool location with solid airflow to dry them.
2. "Once fully dried, the jasmine petals can be used to scent various tea leaves, infused into syrups, drinks, or more," she says. Picking your own jasmine flowers is a plus in this instance, since you can make sure that the plant is pesticide- and herbicide-free.

Common Problems When Growing Indoor Jasmine Plants

While jasmine is a beautiful and fragrant bloom to have in your home, there are some common issues to keep an eye out for.

Pests

Like many tropical plants in the winter months, jasmine pests can sometimes be an issue. "Jasmine is no different suffering from the most common indoor pests like spider mites or scale," says Speight. "Spider mites will build a web between the leaves and sometimes will leave a reddish-orange blotch on the leaf surfaces." A bi-weekly coat of insecticide soap or neem on the leaves can help rid the plant of pests.

Stunted Growth

Jasmine plants have trouble growing when they don't have ample air flow or temperature. Make sure that the plant is in a cool, draft-free environment during the winter months to bloom effectively. "The cooler temps allow the buds set during the summer months to harden off and provide weeks of glorious scent," says Speight.

Changes in Leaves

If you over-water, you'll know, because the plant will drop its leaves, says Speight. And if you under-water, the leaves will dry up and lose their shine before falling. "Placement that is not near a draft or vent will help in noticing the soil moisture or dryness," she says.