Asiatic Jasmine Care

Identification

• Asiatic jasmine is a vine with small, glossy green leaves and veins of a lighter green color. Its leaves remain green even after hard freezes. It is a rolling groundcover about 1 foot tall, also known as small leaf Confederate jasmine. Its leaves produce a milk-like latex when broken or crushed.

Water

• Asiatic jasmine is relatively drought tolerant. Once established, rely on normal rainfall to sustain the plant.

Sunlight

• Plant Asiatic jasmine in areas that gets full sun. In very hot climates, the plant requires partial shade. It also grows well in full shade, which makes it a good choice for planting under trees where no grass will grow.

Mowing

• The University of Florida recommends mowing the jasmine once a year as new growth begins (usually in late winter) to encourage uniform growth and air circulation. With the use of a string mower, you can mow the jasmine into any shape and trim the edges straight. Mow Asiatic jasmine on the highest mower setting (3 to 4 inches).

Benefits

• Groundcovers are a good alternative to grass. They are usually drought tolerant, requiring less water in hot climates than grass. Asiatic jasmine has few if any pest problems or diseases, is deer-resistant and, once established, weeds cannot thrive under its cover. The stems of Asiatic jasmine do not climb so it is an ideal cover for beneath shrubs and under trees.