Arabian jasmine (Jasminum sambac 'Jewel of India')
Jasminum sambac 'Jewel of India' offers exceptionally fragrant white flowers on a broadleaf evergreen shrub. Ideal for Zones 9-11.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Jasminum sambac ‘Jewel of India’, commonly known as Arabian jasmine, is cherished globally for its intensely fragrant, waxy white blooms. This broadleaf evergreen offers a lush, green backdrop for its summer flowering display, making it a standout addition to any warm-climate garden. Its growth habit can be shaped as a sprawling shrub or trained as a twining vine with appropriate support.
Providing exceptional aesthetic and olfactory value, the small flowers of this variety (often used for tea scenting in China or leis in Hawaii) emerge from June through August. Cultivating Arabian jasmine requires relatively low maintenance, rewarding the gardener with copious blooms if situated in the correct warmth and light conditions.
Gardeners should note that while it thrives outdoors year-round in warmer regions, Jasminum sambac ‘Jewel of India’ adapts well to container life, allowing overwintering indoors in cooler northern climates. This versatility ensures that the captivating scent of Arabian jasmine can be enjoyed across various horticultural settings.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Oleaceae
- Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 9-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 10-25 ft
- Spread: 3-6 ft
- Bloom Time: June to August
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal performance, Jasminum sambac ‘Jewel of India’ requires planting in loose, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Aim for a location receiving full sun, though it tolerates partial shade, which may slightly reduce flowering intensity. This plant is winter hardy only to USDA Zones 9-11; gardeners outside this range must treat it as a container specimen.
Watering should be kept consistent, maintaining even moisture without allowing the soil to become waterlogged, which aligns with its medium water needs. While maintenance is generally low, if you encourage a climbing habit, you must tie the stems to a suitable support structure for best presentation. Pruning is mainly cosmetic or preventative, done as needed to maintain desired shape or size.
If managing container plants outside of Zone 9, bring your Arabian jasmine inside before the first fall frost hits. Overwintering requires a bright, sunny room with moderate temperatures, reducing watering significantly during the dormant indoor period. Cuttings taken in summer offer the easiest method for propagation when you wish to multiply your stock of Jasminum sambac ‘Jewel of India’.
Landscape Uses
When grown in its native warm climates, Jasminum sambac ‘Jewel of India’ excels as a sprawling background shrub or trained against walls and trellises where its height can be fully realized. Its extraordinary fragrance makes it perfect near patios, entryways, or windows where the evening scent can be appreciated.
For gardeners in cooler zones, the primary landscape use shifts to containers. These specimens offer flexibility, moving outdoors onto sunny decks or balconies during the summer months. When planting in the ground, consider pairing it with other sun-loving, water-tolerant shrubs or perennials that complement its dark green foliage without competing for its strongly aromatic qualities.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Jasminum sambac, commonly called Arabian jasmine, is likely native to India or Southeast Asia, establishing itself as a broadleaf evergreen shrub. When provided a support, it readily grows as a twining shrubby vine, though unsupported specimens adopt a sprawling shrub form. The plant features small, waxy, white, one-inch diameter flowers clustered together, set against deep green, broad-ovate leaves. Its flowers are uniquely fragrant, and in its native geography, this species can flower year-round, reaching up to 25 feet tall.
Tolerances
No specific tolerances were listed.
Potential Problems
The species generally exhibits no serious insect or disease problems, which contributes to its low maintenance requirements. Occasionally, minor pest issues like aphids or spider mites may develop, especially when plants are stressed or kept indoors over winter. Gardeners should closely monitor for signs of fungal issues such as leaf spot and root rot; ensure proper drainage and avoid overwatering to mitigate these risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Arabian jasmine suitable for?
Jasminum sambac ‘Jewel of India’ is hardy in USDA Zones 9 through 11, requiring protection when grown outside these limits.
How large does Jasminum sambac ‘Jewel of India’ grow?
This variety can reach heights between 10 to 25 feet tall with a spread of 3 to 6 feet when fully mature in ideal outdoor conditions.
What sun exposure does Arabian jasmine need?
It performs best in full sun but adapts well to partial shade, offering gardeners flexibility in placement.
When does Arabian jasmine bloom?
The fragrant, white flowers typically appear during the summer months, specifically from June to August.
Conclusion
The intensely fragrant flowers and adaptable growth habit make Jasminum sambac ‘Jewel of India’ a highly desirable addition for summer fragrance and lush foliage. Its relatively low maintenance profile further cements its status as a garden favorite across appropriate climates. Before planting, confirm your USDA hardiness zone and prepare to either train this twining vine or manage it carefully as a container specimen during winter months.
Propagation Tips
Propagation of Arabian jasmine is straightforward, primarily achieved through cuttings taken during the summer growing season. Select semi-hardwood stems that are healthy and vibrant, ensuring each cutting has several nodes. Place the base of the cutting in rooting hormone, if desired, and plant firmly in a sterile, moist medium, such as a sand and peat mix.
Maintaining high humidity around the cuttings significantly increases success rates for rooting. A clear plastic dome or dome-like covering placed over the container helps trap moisture, mimicking the humid conditions essential for new roots to establish on your new Jasminum sambac ‘Jewel of India’ plants.
Companion Planting
When integrating Arabian jasmine into a warm-climate mixed border, select companions that also appreciate full sun to part shade and medium, consistent moisture, mirroring the needs of Jasminum sambac ‘Jewel of India’. Consider pairing it with tropical foliage plants like large ferns or Caladiums in shadier spots, or with heat-loving, fragrant bloomers such as Gardenias or other scented Roses in full sun.
As a container plant, Arabian jasmine acts as a majestic thriller or a draping spiller. Pair it with contrasting textures like spiky Dracaenas or soft, trailing petunias to create visual interest that highlights the cascading habit or upright structure of the jasmine. Ensure all companion plants share similar watering needs to simplify irrigation management.
