Jasmine is a beautiful and aromatic flower that can be grown indoors as well as outside. Provided it is planted in well-draining soil with plenty of sun, moisture, and sufficient water, jasmine will adapt well to potting media. Jasmine planted in a pot can be used as an indoor ornamental plant or the flowers can be picked for tea or decoration. With time and proper care, jasmine will thrive as a potted plant.
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Part 1 of 3: Planting Jasmine in a Pot
Step 1. Fill the pot with well-drained soil
Jasmine needs soil with good drainage to thrive. Fill the pot with ready-to-plant soil that has good water-absorbing properties, or add clay-based compost to the soil to improve drainage.
- Make sure the flower pot you choose has a drain hole to avoid stagnant water due to over-watering.
- To test the drainage level of the soil, dig a hole 30 cm deep and fill it with water. If the soil has dried within 5-15 minutes, it means the soil is well drained.
Step 2. Place the pot in a partially shaded area
Jasmine likes warm temperatures (at least 16 °C) and requires several hours of shade to grow well. Choose a place that is exposed to the sun, but is shaded for 2-3 hours a day.
If the pot is placed indoors, place it near a south-facing window to allow the plant to get direct sunlight
Step 3. Plant the seeds or saplings of jasmine in a pot
Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. If you are planting saplings, make sure the base of the stem is parallel to the ground. Bury all the roots.
- If you are planting jasmine saplings, loosen the roots with your hands to help them adapt to their new environment faster.
- You can buy jasmine seeds or saplings from a plant store or nursery.
Step 4. Water the jasmine immediately after planting
Use a tub or hose to water the plant until the water drains out of the drainage hole. When finished, the soil should be moist, but not stagnant.
- Watering the jasmine as soon as possible will moisten the soil and help the plant adjust to the potting medium.
- For best results, use a spray bottle or embrat to moisten freshly planted jasmine.
Part 2 of 3: Caring for Jasmine
Step 1. Water the jasmine every week
Use a hose or tube to keep the soil moist and the plants hydrated. Water the jasmine once a week or whenever the soil dries, depending on the weather.
If you're not sure when to water your plant, stick your finger into the soil to a depth of 2.5–5 cm. If the soil feels dry, water it
Step 2. Apply a potassium-rich fertilizer once a month
Jasmine thrives best in potassium-rich soil. Purchase a liquid fertilizer with a high potassium content and spray it on the leaves, stems, and soil once a month.
You can find potassium-rich fertilizer in most nurseries. Tomato fertilizer, for example, is a great choice because it is rich in potassium
Step 3. Place a humidifier or gravel tray near the jasmine
Jasmine plants grow best in damp places. If you grow jasmine in a dry climate, use a humidifier or fill a gravel tray with water to mimic its natural environment.
If you live in a humid climate, place the pot outside or just open a window
Step 4. Trim dead leaves and flowers
Prune jasmine regularly to keep it neat and healthy. Cut off dead leaves, stems, and flowers with cutting shears or pluck them by hand whenever you see them.
Do not trim more than of the foliage at a time
Step 5. Transfer the plant to a new pot if the soil dries out too quickly
Jasmine plants will grow more flowers if the roots are not too tight (or wrapped around each other). When the soil is dry in 2-3 days, move the plant to a larger pot or to an outside garden.
Also, it's better to move the jasmine if it's been in the same pot for several years. The plant may have grown larger than the size of the pot
Part 3 of 3: Harvesting Jasmine Buds in Pots
Step 1. Harvest jasmine flowers to make tea
Traditionally, jasmine buds are dipped in tea to get a fragrant herbal tea aroma. You can grow jasmine only as an ornamental plant, but picking the flowers will maximize the benefits that can be taken from this plant.
You can also cut the stems of jasmine flowers with cutting shears and put them in a vase filled with water to make decorations at home
Step 2. Cut off the jasmine buds that are still green and not yet blooming on the stems
When the flower buds develop, wait until they are green, but not yet open. Use your hands or cuttings and cut off as many jasmine buds as you need for tea or oil.
Process the jasmine buds as soon as possible after picking so that the flowers are still fresh, especially if you want to make tea
Step 3. Dry the jasmine buds in the oven
Place the jasmine on a baking sheet and set the oven to 90 °C. Bake the flowers in the oven for 2-3 hours until they are completely dry to the touch.
You can store dried jasmine flowers in an airtight container to make them last longer
Step 4. Put dried jasmine in water to make herbal tea
Bring water to a boil in a saucepan and put the jasmine in the water for 2-5 minutes. After that, turn off the stove and pour the water into the cup to serve.
- The ratio of jasmine flowers to water should be about 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of jasmine to 250 g of water.
- You can also mix jasmine flowers with black or green tea leaves for a stronger aroma.
