Confederate Jasmine
Confederate Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) also known as Star Jasmine is not a true jasmine but referred to as one because of the fragrant jasmine-like flowers it produces. It is hardy in zones 8-10 and ubiquitous in the southern states. Cultivar Madison is hardy up to zone 7.
The twining foliage emerges with light green lance-shaped leaves and then matures to a glossy, dark green color which produces clusters of white star-shaped flowers in late spring to summer. Once established, this fast growing evergreen vine, which can grow up to 20 feet, can be trained to climb supports such as fences, pergolas, pillar and trees. With tip pinching and trimming, it can also be grown as a spreading shrub or a weed choking groundcover. Its tight growing habit also makes it an ideal candidate for topiaries, trailing containers and hanging baskets.

Confederate jasmine prefers fertile well-drained soil with full sun to part shade exposure. Fertilize from early spring to fall with a well balanced (NPK) fertilizer.
Pruning is important to control excessive growth and thicken the foliage. Prune straggly and tangled vine grown indoors in the fall/winter when growth has stopped and/or after blooming to promote lateral branching. Because C. jasmine blooms on last year’s growth, the best time to prune outdoor plants is after blooming (April-May). Prune away dead, cold damaged shoots in late winter after danger of frost is over. The semi-hardwood cuttings dipped in rooting hormone can be propagated in the spring/summer to produce additional plants. Cuttings exude a white milky sap which can be a skin irritant.
Indoor culture
Trachelospermum jasminoides tolerates a minimum temperature of 40 degrees and therefore in colder climates needs to be grown in a container and brought indoors for the winter. As a houseplant, they can adapt to moderate light exposure as well as neglectful watering but grow best in bright indirect light in the summer and need a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight in the winter. Night temperatures of 50-55 and 68-72 during the day are preferred. In the winter provide added humidity but water less.
Another cultivar, Trachelospermum asiaticum cv mandianum, Asiatic Jasmine is also a popular container plant. It has smaller, oval leaves and sweeter yellowish white flowers with a longer blooming time which can start(depending on temperatures) early to mid-winter to the summer.
Ref. Clemson.edu & Logee’s Container Plants
Buy Jasmine Plant with snow-white flowers and exotic perfume midwinter
Bookmark this thread on Confederate Jasmine
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I want to plant Confederate Jasmine instead of laying down that red bark. Does Confederate Jasmine do well in Ft. Lauderdale, (South Florida) If so when and how should I plant it?
Comment by Haynie — 1/15/2006 @ 3:02 pm
Wonderful forum for gardeners. We have friends in VA Beach, who have a jasmine growing near their back door, it bloomed the first year it was planted 5 years ago and never again. I have the same problem here in Northern AL. It is a white flower, so I have been calling it Confederate Jasmine. Theirs have a lot of sun and have grown to a height of 10 ft. trellised. Mine is only about 2 years old and about 3 ft. high. What are we doing wrong? The foliage looks very healthy.
Comment by Kris — 1/15/2006 @ 3:06 pm
I have had my 3 plants for over 20 years and they bloom all but 2 weeks every year, they are in a 10′’ pot and I water every 3-4 days—reg
Comment by reg. champ — 1/15/2006 @ 7:17 pm
I’m a new gardener from SE Kansas (do not know what zone!). I’m very excited about a Star Jasmine that I just bought. It is about 5 feet. I’ve found a little information, but would really like to be successful at this, so any tips would be great!!
Comment by Barbara Baugher — 1/16/2006 @ 7:31 am
Thank you for the response! I do not understand the hardy in zone 8-11, yet I am not in that zone. Is that why I have to bring it in during the winter? Could you tell me a little more about how to prune and to keep the soil acidic? Like I said, I’m really new to gardening! Thank you!
Comment by Barbara Baugher — 1/16/2006 @ 7:36 am
I have a star jasmine that I have brought in for the winter. It is losing most of its leaves. Do I correct this by misting, and how often should I mist. Also, I don’t have a good window, but I do have a vertical, portable plant light. Should I use that, and how much? Do I continue using acidic fertilizer through the winter, and what about using bloom boost with it? Thanx for any help, I’d really like to save this plant!
Comment by Barbara Baugher — 1/16/2006 @ 7:57 am
2005-7-16
I need help also with a star Jasmine! It had nice white flowers when I initally bought it 3 months ago and now there is none and it is loosing it’s leaves by the handful!!! Before the leaves fall off the tips get like a dark brown. Do they normally shed their leaves? I have it in a south window and I live in WI. What can I do??
Comment by Jennifer — 1/16/2006 @ 8:25 am
I have a confederate jasmine that is in the ground and 8 years old.It has made seeds that look like snap beans in the past 2 weeks.This is the first time this has happened.Do you know anything about this.
Comment by Chris — 1/16/2006 @ 8:30 am
Hello, I’m new to this forum, and have been searching for information on what I am experiencing with my jasmine plant. It is indoors, with lots of light, in a cold climate. It has developped a mold on all it’s leaves. It is white and powdery. Any suggestions? Also, when we water it, the water runs straight through, we were told not to soak it, but I feel like it’s not even getting a moderate watering. Thanks
Comment by Tara — 2/5/2006 @ 9:35 am
I have never grown or planted anything ever. I am wanting ti do 2 trelles of Jasmine and then jasmine all over the ground in a specific area of my yard. (almost in a circular area) What other flowers do well planted with Jasmine? Also how fo I do it? Do I just dig a home and put it in? Or do I add potting soil to the area? I am so clueless to all of this I really want to do this so I am completely willing to learn from all of you! I live in Arizona Phoenix area. Thanks any help will be greatly appreciated.
Comment by Jessie — 3/12/2006 @ 9:37 pm
I have a jasmine vine that is strangling an oak tree in my yard. In order to save the tree we were told to cut it down (which my husband is doing as I type). I want to replant it along the fence to let it climb. How do you replant a vine??
Comment by Tricia — 3/16/2006 @ 2:00 pm
I have 2 jasmine plants for about 4 years it is out door in my front yard.
I live in orlando. The problem is only the flower buds turns into black or brown in colour and they get dried and falls of even before they bloom and all the buds are small in size. I used some pest control it works for one week and every week i need to spray it i am tired of it. i don’t see any bugs. The plant is healthy it has lot of leaves and i prune it regularly and fertilize it.
Please someone give me an idea on how to get more flowers to bloom in my front yard without dried flower buds.
2006-6-1
Mary
Hi,
This is my first garden so bear with me. About three weeks ago I planted 3 confederate jasmine vines along my backyard fence. I bought them from a reputable nursery. Two of them are thriving and growing like crazy already, while the third one is not doing well at all. It’s leaves are green but all the flowers are heavily drooping downward and the flowers turn brown and fall off before they open. They are all on the same water schedule and they get plenty of sun. What can I do to nurse it back to health? Please help!!
Comment by Kaavi — 4/5/2006 @ 4:31 am
I have 3 star jasmine plants (approximately 4′ tall ea.) that I purchased and planted along a west wall (outside) approximately 1 month ago. They were beautiful, blooming, healthy plants and stayed that way for about 2 weeks. The leaves are slowly browning and the blooms are almost completely gone. They get plenty of water, and the weather hasn’t been too warm here in AZ…yet. I was hoping to acclimate and establish the plants before our very hot summer is upon us. Do rabbits, lizards or mice eat jasmine plants? I have petunias planted nearby and the tops have been eaten by one of the 3 mentioned. We’ve seen all in our yard at one time or another. Is there anything I can do to save these plants which look as if they are being chewed on at their base? Thank you for any advice.
Comment by Lynda — 4/13/2006 @ 4:01 pm
I went looking for bedding plants at a local Lowe’s (close to Memphis, TN) and walked by this wonderful smelling plant and I had to have it. There were a few areas of no leaves, but the flower looked healty. I brought it home and potted it in a patio container. I love it! But…..the leaves show some white stuff on them. I thought it could be the cholrine in the water that the store had watered the plant with. It is easly wiped off. Could my plant be diseased? How should I treat it, if you think so? Also, if you repot a plant in a potting soil that states it has feeder for 4 months and water controll ingredients, but states nothing about acidity, should I add additional acid.
Comment by Peggy Cooper — 4/17/2006 @ 12:31 am
I have had the Confederate Jasmine for 5years…I probably live in one of the most powerful zones for this plant which is just north of Mobile, Al..it blooms on and off all year…it on the south wall in front of the house…it has started taking over my front porch…we have never trimmed it back..it is in bloom now…if I trim it back now will it kill it off??
Comment by Charlotte — 5/13/2006 @ 6:18 am
I am planning on planting some confederate jasmine along my fence for privacy. How far apart should I plant them and where can I find them? I live in central Fla.
Donna ( nana431965@hotmail.com / )
I have a 12 1/2 foot x 3 1/2 wide trellis that I would like to plant confederate jasmine on. My questions are; will it cover the trellis and how many plants would you suggest using? I live in zone 8, south Alabama. We have a 2 1/2 acre yard and trying to do something on a grand scale so as not to have a bunch of small gardens.
It gets about 2 hours of sun in the morning and about 1 hour sun in evening.
Ivy for sure is not the way to go as we have spent quiet a few $$ on these plants only for them to die.Please help me as this is where I would love to have my wedding(one day) !
Thanks for any advice,
Comment by Mindy Kelly — 6/5/2006 @ 4:32 am
I want to know if i can cut pieces from my confederate jasmine and root them and have more vines .please let me know thank you sarah parker
2006-7-1 @ 2:07:04 pm
sarahparker ( nana10171957@yahoo.com / )
hi i just put some cuttings from my confederate jasmine and when will they have the roots on them .and should i leave them out like on the porch are should i keep them in side i got them in the pump house now .so please let me know which is the best thing to do .in side are out side .sarah parker
marion sorel ( Flasheey@aol.com / )
Hi There My friend gave me some cuttings of confederate jasmine. I have them int he bucket with water and I live in Central Florida. I have them in my screen room Do I plant in potting soil int he garden or leave int he water to root. What is the best way to be sure they start growing and stay healthy. Thank you
Comment by sarahparker — 6/9/2006 @ 2:41 pm
I have a confederate jasmine outside it was very large and climbing a trellis. After the winter I was disappointed to see that it had died. It was so lush and beautiful. It turned entirely brown and twiggy. Not a green leaf anywhere. Imagine my surprise today to see new green growth and one white bloom. What do I do now???
Comment by Jennifer — 6/24/2006 @ 1:10 pm
Hello,I have 6 Confederate Jasmine growing on a trellis in my back yard that have been my pride and joy every spring.This year they bloomed as usual but now one of them has lost most of its leaves and the ones that are left are a bright red!!This has never happened in the 6 years we have had them. We live in coastal North Carolina and it has been a very hot summer so far.Do you think that is the reason for what has happened and what can I do to help them??
Thank you for any help you can give
Comment by Melinda Burbage — 7/24/2006 @ 11:33 am
I have two confederate jasmine plants about 2 omnths old. they are really doing well and have grown immensely since I planted them. Today I noticed that one of them has developed some fungus-looking hairy-like growth on the vines. Both are planted in full sun. Only one of them has this stuff on it. Do you know what it is and how do I get rid of it?
Comment by K Waluk — 7/30/2006 @ 12:24 pm
I planted some jasmine next to my fence, some have climbed the fence with one shoot but should I cut them off so it will fill the fence or how do you get it to fill a fence?
Stacy T ( sartaelle@yahoo.com / )
I live in Austin, Texas and I have 3 star Jasmine vines that I am trying to coax into covering an iron fence on my condo’s patio. The plants seem healthy in color, and bloom, however, in two years their growth has sparse - reaching maybe two high and not very dense. My neighbors next door have the same type of Star Jasmine, but planted it many years ago, and they said their vines covered the fence in two years and now they have trouble controlling it’s dense growth. I am wondering what I can do to encourage that type of growth in my own vines.
Comment by Melinda Kelly — 8/26/2006 @ 8:13 pm
I live in the high desert of So.Calif. I planted Confederate Jasmine on the south side of the house. It get’s full sun until late afternoon, is watered weekly. I am seeing white and brown spots on the leaves, lighter color in the leaves, and no bloom on the plant. It is growing, but there is a problem, and i don’t know what it is. This is my first Jasmine
Comment by S. Safford — 9/4/2006 @ 11:55 pm
I was given a new Jasmine plant about 4 weeks ago. It had lot flower buds, but only two matured and opened, all the others just dried and dropped off. Today I noticed a very fine web on in it in two places with lots of tiny dots moving on it. How can I best look after this plant and keep it alive, and get rid of the insects on it? I live in NY and the plant is in my office. Thank you.
Comment by Judy — 10/17/2006 @ 3:20 am
We live in zone 8 / Dallas area. We’ve had 3 days of Frost in december and my star Jasmine vine (about 15 feet or more) has now turned brown - branches and leaves. This vine has been around for 4 years and did very well. It is the 1st time this has happened. I’ve not seen a single green leaf on the main branches. I do see some green leaves at the very bottom - very few. I’ve pruned it back to 1/3 its size and fertilized it. Please advise if I need to prune more or should I give up on this.
Comment by Kris — 11/26/2006 @ 1:26 pm
My two year old jasmine (unsure variety) made it through the winter - it is the large, glossy leaf variety. It is in a container on the north side of our home in Portland, Oregon. I am noticing that new growth has a red edge, and some red dots on the leaves. I can’t see any bugs, but wonder if this is something I should take action about or if it is simply eary growth?
Comment by Robin — 4/5/2007 @ 11:38 pm
I live in the state of FLorida and have a jasmine growing up a tree. It is quite large and I haven’t trimmed it for about a year. Since I planted it, it hasn’t produced many flowers. This year the flowers bloom and turn brown and die right away. The foliage on the plant are green and healthly and it gets plenty of water. Should I try to put a blooming fertilizer on the plant?
Comment by Terrie White — 5/22/2007 @ 7:02 pm
Hello, I’m glad I found this forum. I’m new to gardening but learning quickly. I recently bought 2 pots of star jasmine each about 3 feet high. I want to use it as a screen for privacy in my garden and I plan to have it cover a trellis on the fence (optimal height about 7 feet). How long will I have to wait before it reaches at least that height. It is said that jasmine is a fast grower but what is ‘fast’? Also I live in Vancouver, BC and last winter was harsh(for BC), will it be able to withstand and tolerate -5 C temps well? Thank you!
Comment by J K Ho — 6/24/2007 @ 3:41 pm
Hi, I am new to this site and I find it very helpful. I live in NYC (Queens area) and I recently bought a beautiful jasmine tree, not sure if it is a confederate, though. I put it near a big window facing south. Few days after we had it at home it was all flowers and the smell was just wonderful. Then we had to leave for few days and my nanny decided to put it on a metal tray covered with plastic. When we got home all the flowers were gone and it started loosing all the leaves. We had very hot days recently and we the AC on but it was not blowing cold air against the plant. Since we came back the jasmine is getting worse by the minute. After reading some of your posts, i decided to remove the plastic and leave it on top of newspapers but elevated 1/2 inch with some pieces of wood. Am I doing things right?
Please help, I love that jasmine!!!
Thanks! Benny
Comment by Benny — 7/12/2007 @ 7:07 pm
I just bought a jasmine to plant in a container in my Orlando, FL courtyard. It came in a 10 inch container, and I’m not sure how large a pot to put it in. Does it need a lot of root space, or is it happy somewhat pot-bound? What size container would you recommend? It will be trained to a trellis.
Comment by Lisa C. — 10/18/2007 @ 3:55 pm
Thanks for the potting advice! I planted my new jasmine in a slightly larger pot than the one it came in, using a mix of regular potting soil (a new bag) and some MiracleGro potting soil that I had on hand. This was a couple of days ago. Today I noticed that there are some kind of centipedes or caterpillars in the soil. I saw at least three of them. They are small, maybe an inch long, and brownish. Should I be concerned? What should I do about them?
Comment by Lisa C. — 10/21/2007 @ 10:31 am
Some of the leaves of myConfederate Jasmine look like they have a white powder, but it doesn’t wipe or scratch off. What should I do for it? It’s a large, corner plant about 6′ tall. It was here when I moved in 5 years ago. I don’t have a green thumb, so I’m desperate for some advice! Thanks.
Tara
Hello, I’m new to this forum, and have been searching for information on what I am experiencing with my jasmine plant. It is indoors, with lots of light, in a cold climate. It has developped a mold on all it’s leaves. It is white and powdery. Any suggestions? Also, when we water it, the water runs straight through, we were told not to soak it, but I feel like it’s not even getting a moderate watering. Thanks
Comment by Jenny Cunningham — 10/27/2007 @ 6:09 pm
Hi, Great site!
I have three Jasmine plants that we planted last spring. They did really well through the summer until just recently when two of the three have had their leaves turn bright red and all the leaves are now falling off. A prior poster had similar issue and you said it was in response to hot weather, but it has not been hot - it is fall! Is this just a typical autumn color show? The third plant’s leaves have red spots on them, but as of yet have not gone fully red like the others.
Thanks for any advice!
Comment by Melissa A — 11/6/2007 @ 4:29 pm
I live in North Florida and I have about 10 confederate jasmine plants that I planted at the beginning of the year. However about a month ago the leaves started turning dark RED and then brown. All of my plants look like this. I water then regulary and they still look alive but why RED and brown leaves?
Comment by mARGOT RICHMOND — 12/18/2007 @ 8:52 am
I have a Jasmine plant (I do not know exactly what type it is)It is planted in an urn and is on my Lanai in Naples Florida. It gets the sun most of the day and it appears to be doing alright except that the buds that are on the plant do not open up (there are a lot of them) They have not fallen off they’re just starting to turn a yellow color. The plant looks healthy , the leaves are shinny and look good but the buds do not. I looked on the underside of the leaves and notice on some not all, little black dots that do not move. I don’t know if these dots are bugs or whatever. Can you help?
Are you spraying the plant when you water?
Comment by joe — 1/11/2008 @ 2:47 pm
Regarding your answer to my problem comment [1/11/08] I am not spraying the plant when I water. My plant is in a bucket and I water it at the bottom of the plant. I usuall water it about 2-3 times a week.
Comment by joe — 1/14/2008 @ 3:00 pm
I live near the beach in Southern California. We have two Confederate Jasmine plants in containers that have both done well for the past 4 years. My husband and I disagree on one aspect of pruning. Our plants sometimes have thin shoots that are several feet long with very minimal leaf/bud growth on them. I think we should cut these back. My husband prefers to keep them and wrap them around our trellis. We both think our methods will produce a thicker plant in the long run. Which is the better method? Thanks!
Comment by Melinda — 3/22/2008 @ 2:38 pm
can u plant star jasmine as a ground cover around ruffle azaleas. I live in florida and i hate keeping the mulch looking fresh and thought i could maybe use the jasmine for the cover instead.
Comment by Suzanne — 3/30/2008 @ 3:21 pm
I planted 20 star jasmine plants outdoors in central coastal florida two months ago. all are growing ok but on several the leaves of new growth are yellowish. have fertilized with time-release osmocote and several weeks ago added ironite. what’s happening?
Comment by gary — 4/22/2008 @ 12:26 pm
I have added additional ironite as you suggested but a local nursery suggested adding magnesium. I know this is acceptable for palms but I am hesitant since I have found most of the nurseries in this area are fairly ignorant and often shoot from the hip. What do you think?
Comment by gary — 4/24/2008 @ 1:00 pm
I have a star jasmine plant that has been living in my house in Colorado over the winter. Recently, it began dropping leaves and I notice that there are several yellowing leaves on the plant. There are also small, oblong brown spots (about 5 mm in length) on some leaves and branches which can be peeled off. Is this some kind of pest? Any suggestions?
Comment by Katy — 4/26/2008 @ 5:04 pm
Live in Central Alabama and have a confederate jasmine planted outside that runs on a trellis. Have had it 3 years and it grew wonderfully. A few weeks ago I noticed the leaves gradually turning Reddish/Brown as tree leaves do in the fall. Then within a couple days all the leaves simply fell off the vine. This plant had new growth and flowers on the ends of many of the vines when this happened and the new growth looks OK and some still has flowers. What happened and how do I fix it?
I’m not sure what’s going on but will research it and get back to you.
Comment by Retta — 5/1/2008 @ 2:57 pm