How to Grow and Care for Asian Jasmine
A guide to successfully growing Asian Jasmine. Understand its needs to establish a dense, evergreen ground cover and learn how to manage its spread.
Asian Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum) is a durable, woody-stemmed evergreen used as a ground cover. While it shares a common name with true jasmines, it is not part of that family. Its appeal lies in its dense, leathery foliage that forms a thick mat, suppressing weeds and creating a uniform green carpet. Its low-maintenance nature and vigorous growth make it a popular choice for covering large areas where turfgrass struggles.
Core Care Requirements
Asian Jasmine adapts to a range of light conditions, from full sun to deep shade. In full sun, the plant grows more densely, while in shadier spots, its growth becomes more vining and less thick. Its dark green, glossy leaves provide year-round texture, allowing it to be planted in difficult spots like under the canopy of large trees.
This plant is not particular about soil type, performing well in sandy, loamy, and heavy clay soils, as long as the area is well-draining. It thrives in soil with a high percentage of organic matter and a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Poorly drained or waterlogged soil can lead to root rot, so good drainage is necessary for its health.
Watering needs change as the plant matures. New plants require consistent moisture to establish their root systems, so watering twice a week for the first month is recommended. Once established, Asian Jasmine is exceptionally drought-tolerant. Supplemental watering is only needed during extended periods of heat or drought, as normal rainfall is usually sufficient.
This ground cover is suited for USDA hardiness zones 7b through 10, where it withstands significant heat and humidity. It is a tropical plant that remains evergreen even after a hard freeze in these zones. It does not require much fertilizer. If growth appears slow or leaves are yellowing, a single application of a balanced, slow-release formula in the spring is beneficial.
Planting and Establishment
The best time to plant Asian Jasmine is during the cooler weather of spring or fall, which helps the plants establish roots without the stress of extreme temperatures. Before planting, clear the area of all weeds and grass to reduce competition. Amending the native soil with organic matter will improve its fertility and drainage, giving the new plants a strong start.
Dig holes two to three times as wide as the nursery container but no deeper than the plant’s root ball. The top of the root ball should be level with or slightly higher than the surrounding soil. Place individual plants 12 to 18 inches apart. This spacing allows them to fill in and form a solid ground cover within about two growing seasons.
After positioning the plants, backfill the holes with soil and water them thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots. Asian Jasmine is also well-suited for growing in containers or hanging baskets, where its trailing vines can cascade over the edges.
Pruning and Maintenance
The vigorous, spreading nature of Asian Jasmine requires regular pruning to keep it within its boundaries. Without trimming, its runners can creep across walkways, climb trees, or overtake neighboring plants. Pruning also encourages the plant to grow denser and more compact.
The best time for a significant pruning is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. This allows you to shape the plant and control its size without sacrificing spring growth. Light trimming to edge beds or remove stray runners can be done anytime during the growing season. If the plant is grown for its flowers, delay major pruning until after it blooms.
Different tools can be used for pruning depending on the area’s size. Hand shears are effective for precise edging along sidewalks or garden beds. A string trimmer can be used to maintain the borders of larger expanses. For extensive, flat areas, a lawnmower set to its highest cutting height can provide a uniform trim once a year.
Common Issues
Scale insects are a common pest for Asian Jasmine. They appear as small, immobile bumps on the stems and undersides of leaves, feeding on the plant’s sap. An infestation can lead to sooty mold, which grows on the sticky “honeydew” excreted by the insects. Applying horticultural oil can manage scale populations.
Fungal diseases like leaf spot can occur in overly moist conditions with poor air circulation, presenting as tan or brown spots on the leaves. Proper spacing and avoiding overhead watering help prevent fungal problems by keeping foliage dry. Most issues are not severe and can be managed by pruning affected areas to improve airflow.
Browning leaves can be caused by two different factors. In colder parts of its hardiness range, foliage may take on a bronze or reddish-brown color during winter, a natural response that resolves in the spring. Browning can also be a sign of root rot from overwatering or poorly draining soil.