How to grow Jasmine Indoors. Jasminum polyanthum

Most of the indoor jasmine grown today, originated in tropical Asia and parts of China. The Jasmine sold for indoor houseplants, are tropical or subtropical vines - grown for their fragrance. Grow Jasmine indoors for their heady fragrance. We tell you how to succeed with growing Jasmine indoors.

All of the 'Indoor Jasmines' need bright light with at least four hours of direct sun per day. In spring and summer water the Jasmine regularly and fertilize every two weeks with a high phosphorus fertilizer to encourage good flower development (Tomato Feed is perfect for this - as is Phostrogen). Jasmines are best grown outside - in direct sun - for the summer. They can be pruned hard, and re-potted in the spring, after flowering indoors.

The indoor Jasmine is not the same as the summer flowering outdoor version (here in the UK). It will not witstand frost, and is normally grown as a flowering evergreen indoors - unlike the out door summer Jasmine (Jasminum oficinalis) which is a deciduous climber Jasminum polyanthum, the winter-blooming jasmine (sometimes called the pink jasmine) is one of the easiest to grow - especially if you follow the steps above. A vigorous climber, it usually blooms in mid-winter - the pink buds opening to masses of white fragrant flowers. It requires cool growing conditions and and can grow in temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees from September until the plant sets its buds. During this cool autumn and winter period, only water the plant when the soil has dried out.

After flowering indoors, re-pot, prune back and place it outside in a sunny spot - this will ensure a good healthy plant with plenty of flowering wood for the next winter.