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

Not long ago, Qinnong Network introduced the cultivation methods for African jasmine, and quite a few people told us that their African jasmine plants started dropping leaves as they grew. African jasmine itself can serve as both a flowering plant and a foliage plant, so leaf drop is bound to affect its ornamental value. On top of that, leaf drop is also a sign that the plant is growing unhealthy, and if not dealt with in time, it can lead to even more serious consequences. Below, Qinnong Network will answer the question of what to do when African jasmine drops its leaves.

I. Causes of African Jasmine Leaf Drop

To understand how to remedy African jasmine leaf drop, we first need to know why African jasmine loses its leaves. Qinnong Network has summarized five causes here, including the effects of soil, water, temperature, sunlight and pests and diseases. Let's take a closer look below.

1. Soil

African jasmine is not suited to frequent soil changes. Normally, for potted African jasmine, we should repot once every 1-2 years. If the African jasmine was growing very healthily in its original pot but started dropping leaves after the soil was changed, this is because after the soil change, the root system cannot support the water demand of all the leaves, so it discards some of the leaves. There is another situation that generally does not occur, which is a lack of certain trace elements in the soil, causing 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 to meet the plant's needs, so the leaves drop from lack of water; when the potting soil is too wet, it affects the roots' respiration, and in severe cases causes root rot, so nutrients cannot be supplied and the leaves wither and fall.

3. Temperature

African jasmine is a tropical plant and needs a relatively high growing temperature. When the temperature drops below 5°C, it stops growing and the leaves easily fall. 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 dislikes strong direct light. During growth, it only needs relatively ample scattered light and is suitable for a spot near a window. It should not be placed in too dark a place, 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 paid attention to.

II. How to Remedy African Jasmine Leaf Drop

Now that we know the causes of African jasmine leaf drop, let's look below at how to remedy it. To save the situation of African jasmine dropping leaves, the key is eight words: "shorten the branches, stimulate new leaves." Let's look at the specific operation methods below.

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

2. After May 1, first carry out heavy shortening of the plant, leaving 2-3 buds at the base of the surrounding branches and cutting off all the rest, not leaving a single leaf.

3. Immediately after shortening, repot, apply sufficient base fertilizer, then water thoroughly in several rounds, and do not water again until a large number of new buds appear.

4. Place it in a cool, ventilated spot 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 planned selection and removal, letting it grow according to the intended plant shape. At the same time, the dried branch sections should be cut off at any time.

6. Three months after shortening, gradually expose it to sunlight. Water should be sufficient, but there must be no waterlogging. Just pay attention to care.

The above is what Qinnong Network has compiled regarding the causes and remedies for African jasmine leaf drop. Have you mastered it? After African jasmine blooms, it gives off a certain floral fragrance. 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 pot indoors, otherwise there may be certain adverse reactions.