A Care Guide on How to Grow a Healthy Night Jasmine Plant

Night jasmine, or the queen of the night, can be a hard plant to grow for many. Common problems range from weak or no flowering and yellowing leaves to pest attacks and sudden wilting. These issues usually happen when the plant does not get the right sunlight or water. 

One Redditor shared, “I need some advice. I have a night blooming Jasmin, about 4 years old. I planted it in my garden, in semi shade. I water it once a week. It has never bloomed. What should I do?”

It’s a common issue that shows why proper care is essential. That makes learning the correct steps to take care of this plant essential. Hence, this thorough guide explains everything clearly so you can keep your night jasmine plant blooming season after season.

Part 1. How to Grow a Night Jasmine Plant in All Climates: A Quick Overview

Before you start planting, here’s a quick reference table showing the essential growing conditions for a night-blooming jasmine plant:

Part 2. What Is the Ideal Light, Soil & Drainage for Night Jasmine

To get a strong scent and lots of flowers, below is everything you need to know about the light and soil needs of night jasmine: 

1. Light Requirements

Cestrum night-blooming jasmine should get a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. As it prefers full sun to partial shade, put it in light shade in the afternoon. While insufficient light will produce fewer flowers, excessive light will scorch the leaves.

2. Best Soil Type & pH

The ideal soil conditions for night jasmine involve:

Simple soil tips:

• Planting should be done after mixing garden soil with compost and manure.
• With pots, plant in a loam potting mix rather than heavy clay.
• Test the pH with a home kit; add lime to the acidic or compost to the alkaline.

To learn about the varieties of soil mix you can use for your plant, check out this collection: Soil & Fertilizer.

How can I revive this night blooming jasmine?
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3. Drainage Needs

Plant in mounds where your garden soil is waterlogged for over 24 hours after rainfall. Moreover, use coarse sand or gravel to enhance the flow of water and put it in pots with holes at the bottom. Plus, fully avoid the areas that hold water after heavy rains.

A must-read to choose the best pot for your night jasmine, Potting Mastery: Choosing the Right Containers for Your Houseplants.

Part 3. How Much Water and Fertilizer to Give Your Night Jasmine

You can keep the jasmine plant healthy with the right amount of water and fertilizer described below: 

1. Watering Needs

Night jasmine tree care means adhering to the following water routine:

• Summer: 2–3 times per week.
• Winter: Once every 7–10 days. When the top 2–3 cm of soil feels dry.
• Amount: Enough to soak the root area without water pooling for long.
• Tip: Watering of leaves should be avoided in the late afternoon to avoid fungal issues.

To better understand whether tap or distilled water is the right choice for your indoor plants, check out this comprehensive guide.

2. Fertilizer Requirements

Use the table to give the right nutrients according to the condition of your night jasmine.

Simple feeding tips:

Always lightly water the plant before giving it liquid fertilizer, and do not give it in the winter. Moreover, rotate between chemical and organic feeds for a healthy soil.

Confused about the right type of fertilizer? Read Choose Best Indoor Plant Fertilizer - Detailed Guide

Part 4. How to Prune, Propagate & Control Growth of Night Blooming Jasmine Plant

From proper trimming and starting new plants to keeping size in check, all are core factors in keeping the jasmine plant tree healthy and neat. Let’s explore each aspect simply:

1. Pruning

You can prevent this night-blooming plant from running all over your garden using these tips:

• Trim after flowering ends, usually in fall or September.
• An annual trim in fall encourages thick new growth and lowers invasiveness.
• For size control or shape, prune at the end of winter once frost risk is gone.
• Always cut just above a leaf node or branch junction to help new shoots grow.
• Only remove up to 1/3rd of this night-blooming plant maximally.

2. Propagation

Start new night jasmine plants by taking healthy cuttings after pruning in the fall from firm stems. Then, place them in water until roots form and move them into moist and fertile soil. Remember, wait until spring’s warm weather before moving them outside. 

3. Controlling Growth

Night jasmine can grow quickly and spread widely, so here’s how to control it:

Need complete help on how to regrow houseplants? Here is the must-read article: The Comprehensive Guide on How to Regrow Houseplant Cuttings.

Part 5. What Pests & Diseases Threaten Night Jasmine Tree Care and How to Treat Them

A large part of caring for your night jasmine involves knowing what sorts of pests can affect it. Below is explained how to spot and fix such problems: 

1. Common Pests And Their Fixes

Your night-blooming jasmine is more or less robust, though there are some undesirable visitors:

• Aphids: Tiny and soft bugs that suck plant juices and can make leaves yellow or curled. A light shower of water can knock off these with ease. 
• Caterpillars: Immature larvae quickly consume the leaves and create holes or eat edges. You can just take them off when you see them and fling them away.
• Giant whiteflies: Leaves often bear small white spots or goo. Black mold can show up if the sweet droplets remain. Mix mild dish soap and water to spray plant leaves to get rid of these.
• Spider mites & scale insects: These plant suckers leave small yellow blotches or sticky patches. A quick approach to deal with them is to regularly prune the plant. 

Read this guide to learn about the best practices to handle pests: Springtime Solutions: A Guide to Navigating Pests in Your Garden.

2. Common Diseases

Night jasmine isn’t usually sick, but here are a couple of issues to watch:

• Leaf spots / sooty mold: Marks on leaves can come from whitefly damage, leaving sugary output that grows mold. So, carefully cut off leaves with black mold or sticky places to avoid further damage. 
• Wilting or rotting: This can happen when plant roots stay wet and may be due to fungal or bacterial infection. Here,  try a safe copper-based spray early when symptoms appear.

Part 6. Is Night Blooming Jasmine Plant Safe for Pets?

No, this plant is toxic because it contains poisonous substances like solanine and atropine like alkaloids. From leaves and berries to flowers, all parts can be harmful to dogs, cats, and other mammals. In pets, it can cause symptoms ranging from vomiting and weakness to irregular heartbeat and urine changes.

Knowing the risks and taking simple safety steps can help you undertake a better jasmine tree care routine. So, keep your pets away from the plant and always be on the lookout for signs of toxicity. When they do eat it, remain composed and wash out any plant debris from your pet immediately. Then, call for your vet, as even minor bites are hazardous.

Part 7. Where to Get the Night Jasmine Plant for Your Home

The queen of the night is capable of making your house look calm and vibrant. So, bringing the night jasmine plant tree into your home should be a joy, but finding a healthy one isn’t always easy.

Look for it near nursery and botanical shops near your home to choose one in person. Unable to do that for some reason? Do not worry, as trusted online options to get this plant are available.

That is where My Green Scape shines, offering quality plants with support and peace of mind. It offers a wide range of house plant varieties, including the night-blooming jasmine plant.

Moreover, this store is a trusted source for a lot of people. It provides quick delivery services and even offers a 30-day replacement if the specimen is damaged.

Conclusion

In summary, a night jasmine plant needs 6–8 hours of sunlight and well-draining loam soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Moreover, regular watering a couple of times a week in warm months and less in winter is ideal. Plus, feed it with a balanced fertilizer every fortnight during the growing season and prune after flowering.

You should also protect the plant from pests like aphids and keep it away from your pets. For a healthy and fragrant plant, order your night jasmine from MyGreenScape.ca and enjoy lifetime plant support.

FAQs

1. Is night jasmine a true jasmine?

No. Night jasmine is not a true jasmine. They belong to the Jasminum genus, while night jasmine belongs to the Cestrum genus. While they are completely different plants, these still share a similar fragrance.

2. What should I do about the strong fragrance of night jasmine at night?

If the scent feels too strong, place the plant farther from bedroom windows or keep it outdoors in a well-ventilated spot during blooming season. Also, opting for it reduces the concentration of fragrance indoors.

3. How often should I prune night jasmine?

Prune lightly after each flowering cycle to keep its shape and encourage more blooms. A heavier pruning can be done once a year in late winter or early spring before new growth starts.

4. Can I grow night jasmine indoors without any issues?

Yes, you can. But make sure it gets up to 6 hours a day of sunlight and proper ventilation. Since the fragrance is intense indoors at night, place it in an airy section of your home.

5. Are there any other varieties of the night jasmine plant?

Absolutely. Variants include Cestrum diurnum (day-blooming jasmine) and Cestrum elegans (pink or purple blooms). Each has different bloom times and slightly different scents.