Caring for Spanish Jasmine

Characteristics

• Spanish jasmine grows as a vine and produces fragrant white flowers with a diameter of 1 to 1-1/2 inches. Spanish jasmine is semi-evergreen, so it may retain its leaves year-round in mild climates but shed them seasonally in colder areas of the country. Periodic pruning is necessary to control the vines. Prune the plant in late summer or early fall when flowering slows. Remove any damaged or diseased vines as they appear. Spanish jasmine tends to perform better if it's planted in the spring in an area where it receives full sun or partial shade.

Water and Fertilizer

• Keep the soil moist as Spanish jasmine grows in the spring and summer but don't allow the soil to become soggy. Cut back on watering in the fall and winter. Outdoor jasmine may not need watering in winter, unless the ground is overly dry or frozen. In such cases, the Royal Horticultural Society recommends watering the plant with lukewarm water. Apply fertilizer one or two times per month during the spring and summer months. Balanced fertilizers that contain 10 percent potassium, 10 percent phosphorous and 10 percent nitrogen are suitable for Spanish jasmine.

Indoor Plants

• You can grow Spanish jasmine indoors, but it must be kept in a container that provides good drainage. Use a pot with drainage holes in the bottom and cover the holes with potshards to control drainage. The Royal Horticultural Society recommends placing indoor jasmine containers in bright light that's filtered. However, the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service recommends about four hours of direct, natural sunlight each day or 14 to 16 hours of strong artificial light.

Insect Control

• Watering Spanish jasmine properly and ensuring it receives enough sunlight will help keep the plant free of insect infestations. Spider mites may infest Spanish jasmine if it’s unhealthy or doesn’t get enough light. Spray an infested plant with an insecticidal soap to get rid of spider mites.