Waxy white five-petalled flowers open at the junction of each leaf, scenting a room of jasmine, against deep dark green leaves that are leathery and shiny. Madagascar jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda) is grown indoors on a stake or arbour, since it cannot stand straight alone; spare it any bout of frost and it will keep flowering for months on end.
| Name | Stephanotis species |
|---|---|
| Family | Apocynceae or dogbane |
| Type | vine, indoor plant |
| Height | 10 to 16 feet (3 to 5 meters) |
| Exposure | well-lit |
| Soil | indoor plant soil mix |
| Foliage | evergreen |
| Flowering | late spring to mid-autumn |
In our climates, only potted growing is possible for Stephanotis because it can’t bear the cold. This is true for all the species of Stephanotis.
If potted, it is advised to re-pot every 1 or 2 years, preferably in spring.
Pots provided upon purchase quickly become too small: re-pot your stephanotis as soon as their blooming is over.
Stephanotis is native to Madagascar, and therefore requires temperatures of at least 68°F (20°C) all year-round to thrive.
When growing directly in the ground, temperatures must be high in both summer and winter and planting is done in spring.
Stephanotis can be kept indoors all year, stood outside for the warm months, or planted out where winters stay warm. The table sets the temperature each option demands before you commit your plant to it.
| Situation | Minimum temperature | When | What it needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pot indoors | Never below 60°F (15°C) | All year round | Very well-lit spot out of direct sun, away from radiators |
| Pot stood outdoors | Watch the thermometer before moving it out | Late spring to early autumn | Dappled shade sheltered from wind for a fortnight first |
| Planted in the open ground | At least 68°F (20°C) all year; dies below 55°F (13°C) | Plant early to mid-spring | High temperatures in both summer and winter |
| Cool room or greenhouse for the rest phase | 57 to 60°F (13 to 15°C) | Early winter to late winter | Cooler but well-lit spot, water only when the soil is dry, no fertiliser |
Whichever situation you choose, avoid moving the plant about once it has settled.
Choose a very well-lit space for your stephanotis, but not in direct sunlight behind a window.
When moving the pot outdoors, stand it in dappled shade sheltered from wind for a couple of weeks before any brighter spot, as leaves grown indoors scorch easily.
Keep it clear of draughty doorways, since cold gusts trigger leaf and bud drop.
Cut or broken stems exude a milky latex; although how irritating it is to skin and eyes remains poorly documented, it is prudent to wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards.
Best is to bring the pot in from the cold to a lean-in or cool greenhouse.
If your plant customarily lives indoors inside a heated house or apartment, it will appreciate a phase of rest over the winter months in a cooler spot instead of the hot, dry indoor air.
Temperatures shouldn’t drop below 57°F (13°C) for extended periods, and any bout of frost will kill the vine.
Ideally, your Stephanotis will go dormant if you keep it in a 57° to 60°F (13 to 15°C) range. In winter, water your potted Stephanotis only when the soil is dry, without adding any fertilizer.
If ever winter is cold in your area (below 50°F / 10°C), it’ll take a miracle for your Stephanotis to survive.
Transferring to a pot is by far the most economical solution. However, it’s also more difficult when the shrub has grown to several feet or more in height. You’ll have to bring the trellis or stake along with the plant and root clump. The bigger the plant, the higher the risk of it dying of transplant shock.
The Stephanotis plant will work on renewing its root system during fall and winter, and it’ll be ready for being replanted out in the open come late spring!
To flower well and grow, a Stephanotis plant requires a bit of care as regards watering and fertilizer.
Water regularly but not too much, to avoid suffocating roots.
Your stephanotis will require a lot of moisture because its natural habitat is forest underbrush.
When potted, stephanotis needs a lot of moisture and likes being placed on a bed of constantly moist gravel or clay marbles, since this recreates its natural environment.
The usual blooming season for Stephanotis extends from May to October-November.
After blooming, its is best to give your plant a “rest” for it to go dormant: place it in a cooler but well-lit room.
During the dormancy, all addition of nutrients must be stopped, and you should only water if the soil in the pot is dry.
Early spring, you can prune the vine without restraint to let it grow back even better and ensure it will bloom again.
If it’s easily accessible, go ahead and remove dead or spent flowers. This will trigger the plant into producing more.
If you don’t deadhead, you might discover, usually after several years, a plum-shaped pod growing on your vine.
The pod of the Stephanotis vine is surprising and its seeds are rather exciting…
The most common species of Stephanotis is Stephanotis floribunda, or Madagascar jasmine. In that country, it can be found outdoors in the wild among other plants in forest underbrush. It is used in temperate climates as an indoor plant. Other species are native either to the Caribbean or to the Far East (Japan, Malaysia).
All Stephanotis species smell somewhat of jasmine. Generally, they grow as fragrant vines that offer deep dark green leaves, leathery and shiny. They bloom from spring to fall with flowers that appear at the junction of each leaf.
Usually, a stake or arbor is provided to help grow upright, because the vine cannot stand straight on its own.
Stephanotis shares its fragrance with another plant that is related to it: Plumeria. Both boast beautiful white five-petaled flowers. Their fragrance is heavenly when it spreads through the air!
Insects? Yellow leaves? Sticky gobs forming on leaves? Worse yet – no flowers?
Buds that shrivel and drop before opening usually follow a move, a draught or a swing in room temperature.
Adding flower plant organic fertilizer will enhance its bloom.
