Introduction to the Characteristics of Jasmine Varieties and Home Care Methods

Jasmine is an evergreen shrub of the genus Jasminum in the family Oleaceae, with soft, slightly climbing branches. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions and is widely cultivated in South China and Southwest China. It is an important flower that combines ornamental, tea-scenting and fragrance uses. Its leaves are emerald green and opposite, and its flowers are pure white and elegant, usually opening gradually in the evening, with a fresh, sweet and lasting fragrance. Its flowering period is mostly concentrated from summer to autumn.

In daily cultivation, people often divide jasmine into three types: single-petaled, double-petaled and multi-petaled. Single-petaled jasmine has a fresh, elegant fragrance, but the plant grows somewhat weakly and is a little more difficult to cultivate; double-petaled jasmine has strong adaptability and flowers frequently, and is the most commonly cultivated type, mainly used for scenting scented tea; multi-petaled jasmine has richly layered flowers and high ornamental value, with a relatively soft fragrance.

Jasmine likes warmth, humidity and sufficient light. It is afraid of cold, and also afraid of long-term waterlogging in the pot soil. For home care, you can choose a south-facing balcony or courtyard. The soil is best if it is loose, fertile and slightly acidic. Water by the principle of watering when the soil is dry and letting it dry between waterings. During the growing season, apply light fertilizer frequently, and appropriately supplement phosphorus and potassium fertilizer before bud formation. After each flowering, promptly cut off the spent flowers and thin out overly dense branches, which helps promote new branch growth and continuous flowering; after winter begins, move it indoors to a warm place, reduce watering, and help the plant overwinter safely.

Its main uses are, first, ornamental, and second, scenting jasmine tea, allowing the tea leaves to absorb the natural floral fragrance; the flowers can also be used to extract essence, and it is a common fragrance raw material. If during care the plant only grows leaves and does not flower, it is mostly related to insufficient light, too much nitrogen fertilizer or untimely pruning. Adjusting the light and fertilization methods in time can generally improve it.