Star Jasmine

Trachelospermum jasminoides

Parts used

Flowers, leaves.

Habitat and cultivation

Star jasmine plants can grow well in nearly all types of soils. These plants are also capable of enduring droughts after they succeed in spreading their roots underground. This plant can be grown under direct sunlight as well as in places where there is partial shade. However, you should ideally grow them in full sun if you wish to get the most out of their flowering potential. Trachelospermum jasminoides is an attractive vine, which is highly valued for its extremely aromatic, white, star-shaped flowers. You can plant this herb on the terrace, patio or the entrance of your house to enjoy the fragrance of its flowers. If you live in a frost-free region, you can train star jasmine plants to grow on walls, posts or trellises. You can also let them grow as a groundcover. In places having colder climates, this is a wonderful plant for growing in containers during the summer. In warmer places, star jasmine is an evergreen plant. In places having cold climatic conditions, it is advisable to grow this herb under glass during the winter. However, they need to be planted outdoors in a sheltered location. You can propagate star jasmine though layering or cuttings. If you want to grow star jasmine in the form of an upright plant, it is advisable that you tie the vine to any support or trellis. Tie the vine at intervals of roughly 8 inches. Ensure that the plants are not tied very firmly, as it may break the vines and also restrict their growth. Smidgen the back of the growing tips of star jasmine's upper most bud during spring to stimulate the growth of the plants. It should be done immediately when the plants resume their growth. In fact, pinching the buds promotes the growth of lateral branches of these vines, enabling them to swathe their support completely. Similarly, if you are growing this vine as a ground cover, you should pinch the tips of their buds at intervals of two weeks till the plants star flowering. Pinching the ground cover star jasmine plants will help them to become more compact. This confederate jasmine should be pruned in the beginning of summer once its flowering season is over. You should cut back the stems that might have overgrown. They need to be reduced to desirable length with a view to maintain their shape and size and also to keep them in control. Also remove the dead branches as well as those that have been damaged during the end of winter or early spring. Usually, star jasmine is grown in the garden as a houseplant or an ornamental plant. This species is grown as a ground cover and climbing vine in gardens, parks and public landscapes. On the other hand, you can grow this plant bearing aromatic flowers in pots and place them on patios and terraces. Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) needs moderate amounts of water, fertilizer and a structure to support their growth, for instance a secondary plant or a trellis. This species is extensively cultivated in California, especially in South-eastern United States, the region which forms the erstwhile Confederate States of America. As a result, this plant is also called confederate jasmine. This plant is also known as trader's compass. The latter common name of this species has its origin in an ancient Uzbekistan adage that states it helped the traders in the region to travel in the right direction. However, this was said to be true only in the case of star jasmine plants possessing the typical features of this species. In Europe, it is known as star jasmine, while it is called Chinese ivy or Chinese jasmine in various regions of Asia.

Side effects and cautions

In general, it is believed that star jasmine contains very low levels of toxins. This herb has been found to be safe for most people during clinical tests, provided it is used appropriately.