Braided Varieties of the Stephanotis Vine

Stephanotis floribunda

• Stephanotis floribunda is a tender annual that does not survive in outdoor temperatures below 59 degrees F. Its long twining stems are flexible enough to be trained and pruned into braided ropes that climb a trellis. The thick, glossy oblong or elliptical leaves grow to 4 inches. Stephanotis floribunda thrives in rich, well-draining humus soil in full sun to part shade.

Stephanotis grandiflora

• The white, fragrant, star-shaped flowers of Stephanotis grandiflora have two bloom periods each year. The first is January to May and the second is June until autumn’s frost. Flowers may reach 1 ½ inches across at their tubular end. Wildlife attracted to Stephanotis vines includes butterflies and hummingbirds. Prune and twine the plant into a braid as it begins to grow in spring. Stephanotis goes dormant in winter.

Stephanotis floribunda "Variegata"

• The variegated cultivar of Stephanotis floribunda has cream-colored margins on its glossy dark green leaves. It is sometimes grown indoors in a container to control its height. Indoor plants may be trained as a braided vine over a hoop. Stephanotis can tolerate periods of infrequent watering. It prefers a rest phase in winter when water and fertilizer are reduced.

Care

• Stephanotis vines are not subject to serious disease or insect infestation problems. Mealybugs or scale may develop on indoor varieties but are easily controlled with nontoxic remedies. Alcohol on cotton rubbed directly on the bugs or scale keeps them under control. Spider mite infestations may be controlled with soap spray. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks except during winter.