Jasminum sambac
Jasminum sambac
Arabian jasmine
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Description
Jasminum sambac, known for its heady nighttime fragrance, is a warm-loving evergreen vine or shrub that bursts with creamy white blooms. Easy to train on a trellis or grow as a compact bush, it rewards bright light and consistent care with frequent, intoxicating flowers perfect for patios, windowsills, and summer gardens.
Common Names
Arabian jasmineSampaguitaPikakeMograMelati putih
Context
nativeRegion
South and Southeast Asia (India to southern China and the Malesian region).
usdaZones
10–12 outdoors; grow in containers and overwinter indoors in cooler zones.
companionPlants
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Gardenia jasminoides, Plumeria spp., Ixora coccinea, Citrus spp.
culturalUses
Widely used for garlands, leis, religious offerings, perfume, and jasmine tea; national flower of the Philippines (sampaguita) and Indonesia (melati putih), symbolizing purity and love.
Care
Care Requirements
LightFull sun to bright indirect light (6+ hours). Indoors, place at the brightest window; provide some afternoon shade in very hot climates.
WateringKeep evenly moist in the growing season; water when the top 1 inch dries. Avoid waterlogging; reduce watering slightly in cool months.
SoilRich, well-draining, slightly acidic soil (pH ~6.0–6.5). Use loam with compost and perlite or pine bark for aeration.
FertilizerFeed every 2–4 weeks spring to early fall with a balanced or bloom-boosting fertilizer; supplement iron/micronutrients if leaves yellow in alkaline soils.
HumidityPrefers moderate to high humidity (50–70%+). Use a humidity tray or humidifier indoors during dry periods.
TemperatureBest at 65–85°F (18–29°C). Protect from cold; avoid temps below 50°F (10°C) and all frost.
Growth & Life Cycle
HabitEvergreen, twining shrub/vine; train on a trellis or prune into a compact bush.
Mature Size3–10 ft (0.9–3 m) tall and 2–6 ft (0.6–1.8 m) wide in containers; larger in-ground in tropics.
Growth RateFast in warm, bright conditions; moderate indoors.
BloomingHighly fragrant white blooms, often at night; peak spring–summer with intermittent flowers year-round in warm climates.
DormancyNo true dormancy; growth slows in cool weather and short days.
Propagation
MethodsSemi-hardwood stem cuttings, Softwood cuttings, Air layering, Simple layering, Seed
DifficultyEasy to moderate
Best SeasonLate spring through summer when warm and humid.
Maintenance & Notes
PruningLightly prune after major bloom flushes to shape and encourage rebloom; perform harder shaping late winter to early spring; deadhead spent flowers.
RepottingRepot every 1–2 years in spring; move up one pot size with fresh, acidic mix. Likes a slightly snug pot with excellent drainage.
Pests & DiseasesWatch for aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, mealybugs, and scale. Prevent root rot with sharp drainage; improve airflow to avoid fungal leaf spots and sooty mold. Correct chlorosis in alkaline soils with iron.
ToxicityNon-toxic; flowers are edible and used in tea. Do not confuse with toxic lookalikes like Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium).
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