I Have Night Blooming Jasmine Leaf Damage

Insects

• If the leaf damage on your night-blooming jasmine presents as holes in the leaves, curled edges or if the leaf has been skeletonized, the likely cause is insects. Aphids, caterpillars, beetles, leaf miners and many other insects all feed on leaf juices or the leaves themselves. Some insects can be washed off with a few blasts from the hose. Another solution is to introduce predatory insects, such as lady beetles and praying mantis to your garden to eat the pests.

Diseases

• Bacteria, fungi and viruses all cause leaf damage. On your jasmine's leaves look for black, brown, yellow or red spots or a grayish powder. Because diseases tend to attack the entire plant, your night-blooming jasmine will also have an overall poor appearance, such as stunted growth, thin branches and will fail to bloom. Trim off the affected areas to see if the plant recovers. If it doesn't, you may need to treat the disease with chemicals or remove the plant entirely.

Sunburn

• Night-blooming jasmine grow best if they receive a few hours of direct sunlight each day. However, their leaves can burn if exposed to intense afternoon sun during the summer. The best location for your vine is one where the plant will receive morning and evening sun, but be partially shaded during the heat of the day.

Freezing Weather

• Being native to the tropics, night-blooming jasmine won't tolerate freezing weather. If the leaves appear darkened and wilted after a cold night, your jasmine has been damaged by frost. If the damage is minimal, trim away the worst areas. If the damage is extensive, trim the vine to the ground and cover the area with 2 to 3 inches of mulch to protect the roots for the rest of the winter. If the roots remain protected from the cold, the plant will sprout again when the weather warms.