Pink jasmine, also called Arabian jasmine, is a tropical vine plant that grows best as a houseplant in most growing zones. The plant does grow outdoors, however you need to monitor the temperature and maintain the plant with pruning to keep it healthy and in control. Pink jasmine thrives quickly outdoors when given the proper growing conditions. Houseplants planted in containers grow slower and are easier to maintain and prune since they are visible on a daily basis.
The pink jasmine plant is a woody evergreen vine that grows to a length of 20 feet if properly cared for and given a support structure. It is possible to train a pink jasmine plant into a bushy shrub through pruning. Pink jasmine produces a fragrant flower in the color of white or pink that blooms from later winter through the early spring months. The plant will occasionally produce blooms during other parts of the year when given adequate moisture.
Choose an outdoor planting location for the pink jasmine grown in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 10. The plant grows best in an outdoor location that receives a minimum of four hours of direct sunlight and has a well-draining soil. Pink Jasmine grown in USDA hardiness zones 7 and lower grow best in a container placed indoors during the fall winter and early spring months when the night temperatures drop below 40 degrees F.
How to Plant
Plant the pink jasmine in a hole that is slightly larger than the root ball. Add organic compost to the bottom of a garden bed hole and set the plant on top so the top of the root ball is at ground level. Mix even quantities of organic compost into the removed soil and pack it around the pink jasmine root ball. Select a container that is 2 to 3 inches wider than the pink jasmine root ball and fill it half full with a well-draining potting soil. Set the plant into the container so the top of the root ball is approximately 1 inch from the top of the container. Pack potting soil around the sides of the root ball to hold it in place.
Care and Maintenance
Water the pink jasmine plant to keep the soil moist during the summer growing season. Apply water when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch. Use warm water to prevent shocking the plant when applying. Reduce the water applications during the winter months as the plant requirements are less. Mist water on indoor growing plants to keep the humidity high. Fertilize pink jasmine plants with a 15-30-15 fertilizer every two weeks during the summer growing season. Reduce fertilizer applications when plant growth slows during the dormant season. Prune the vines after the blooming period to prevent overgrowth and maintain a desired shape.
Use caution when watering the pink jasmine with rainwater as the plant will yellow if the acidity is too high. Excess lime in water causes leaf spots on the plant. Use distilled water if you have problems with the water available. Monitor the plant for the presence of aphids. Spray the leaves with water to remove the insects. Apply insecticidal soap if spraying the leaves with water does not eliminate the pests.