What to Do When African Jasmine Drops Its Leaves? Causes and Solutions

Not long ago, Qinnong Web introduced the cultivation methods for African jasmine, and quite a few people told us that their own African jasmine plants started dropping leaves as they were growing them. African jasmine itself can serve as both a flowering plant and a foliage plant. The phenomenon of leaf drop is bound to affect the ornamental value of African jasmine, and moreover, leaf drop is also a reaction showing that the plant is growing unhealthily. If not handled in time, it may very likely lead to more serious consequences. Below, Qinnong Web will answer the question of what to do when African jasmine drops its leaves.

I. Causes of African Jasmine Dropping Its Leaves

To understand the remedies for African jasmine dropping its leaves, we first need to know why African jasmine sheds its leaves. Qinnong Web has summarized five causes here, including the effects of soil, water, temperature, light, and pests and diseases. Let us take a closer look below.

1. Soil

African jasmine is not suited to frequent soil changes. Usually, if it is a potted African jasmine, we should repot it once every 1 to 2 years. If the African jasmine was growing very healthily in its original pot, but leaf drop appeared after changing the soil, this is because after changing the soil, the root system cannot bear the water demand of all the leaves, so it discards some of the leaves. There is another situation that generally does not occur, namely a lack of some trace element in the soil, which causes poor plant growth and leaf drop.

2. Watering

Too much or too little watering will both affect the growth of African jasmine, thereby causing its leaves to turn yellow and fall off. When the potting soil is too dry, the roots cannot supply enough water and cannot meet the plant's needs, so the leaves drop from lack of water; when the potting soil is too wet, it affects the respiration of the root system, and in severe cases it can also cause root rot in the plant. When nutrients cannot be supplied, the leaves will wither and fall.

3. Temperature

African jasmine is a tropical plant and needs a relatively high growing temperature. When the temperature is below 5 degrees Celsius, growth stops and the leaves fall easily. If the plant is not moved indoors in time in winter and suffers frost, it will drop its leaves.

4. Sunlight

African jasmine likes sunlight but avoids strong light exposure. During growth, it requires relatively sufficient scattered light. It is suitable to place it near a window, and it should not be kept in overly dark conditions, otherwise the leaves will lose their green color, turn yellow, or fall off.

5. Pests and Diseases

If the care environment for African jasmine is unsuitable, pests and diseases can occur. Leaf spot disease, scale insects, and others can all cause leaf drop, so timely treatment should be noted.

II. How to Rescue African Jasmine When It Drops Its Leaves

Now that we know the causes of African jasmine dropping its leaves, let us look below at the rescue methods for African jasmine dropping its leaves. To save African jasmine from this leaf-dropping situation, the main idea is eight words: "cut back the branches, stimulate new leaves." Let us look below at the specific operation methods.

1. After the beginning of spring and before May 1, begin water control and let the African jasmine plant dry out for a period of time.

2. After May 1, first carry out heavy pruning of the plant, leaving 2-3 buds at the base of the surrounding branches and cutting off all the rest, without leaving a single leaf.

3. Immediately after pruning, change the pot, apply sufficient base fertilizer, and then water thoroughly in several sessions, and do not water again until a large number of new buds appear.

4. Place it in a cool, ventilated place for care. At this time, observe carefully, prevent insects and disease, and protecting the tender buds is very important.

5. After the tender buds gradually increase, pay attention to selective thinning in a planned way, let it grow according to the expected plant shape, and at the same time, promptly prune away dried and dead branch sections.

6. Three months after pruning, gradually expose it to sunlight. Water should be sufficient, but waterlogging must be avoided. Just pay attention to care.

The above is what Qinnong Web has compiled for everyone regarding the causes and rescue methods for African jasmine dropping its leaves. Have you mastered them? After African jasmine blooms, it will have a certain floral fragrance, and the components of this fragrance are relatively complex. If there are people with allergic constitutions in the home, it is best not to place the flowerpot indoors, otherwise there may be certain adverse reactions.