Garden Care Guide

Madagascar Jasmine Care

Stephanotis floribunda

Needs a spot with plenty of light but no direct sun, and high humidity. The soil should be kept constantly moist, but no water should be left standing in the saucer. It should not be moved once it starts budding.

Frost-tender (protect from frost) · 5 °C / 41 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Reduce watering. Let the top 3-4 cm of soil dry out (roughly every 10-15 days).
  • Fertilizing: Do not fertilize; it is the dormancy period.
  • Plant protection: Dry air can lead to mealybugs (white cottony masses) and scale insects; check regularly. If you see pests, wipe them off with an alcohol-soaked cotton pad.
  • General care: Keep it away from heat sources such as radiators, in a cool (13-15°C) and bright place.
  • Pests & diseases: Leaf drop can be caused by cold or excessively dry air.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 5 °C.
February
  • Watering: Continue watering as the soil dries (every 10-12 days).
  • Fertilizing: Do not fertilize. If new shoots begin toward the end of the month, you can start fertilizing at half dose.
  • Pruning: Before new growth begins is the best time to shape the plant and cut weak and overly elongated branches.
  • Plant protection: Check the plant after pruning.
  • General care: If repotting is needed (if the roots have filled the pot), it can be done this month.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the undersides of the leaves and the branch nodes for mealybugs.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 5 °C.
March
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer when it wakes from dormancy. It loves acidic soil; if interveinal yellowing (chlorosis) appears on the leaves in limy soil, prefer an acidic fertilizer.
  • Pruning: Prune just before the shoots break. Because flowers form on this year's new shoots, hard pruning increases flowering. Before growth starts, shorten branches that are growing too long. During the flowering period, only remove spent flower heads. Indoors, guide the vine with a support wire.
  • Plant protection: New shoots may attract aphids; check for them.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Yellowing of the leaves can be a sign of overwatering.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 5 °C.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Continue potassium-heavy fertilizing every two weeks. Do not overapply.
  • Pruning: Cut only branches that spoil the shape.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Continue potassium-heavy fertilizing every two weeks. Do not overapply.
  • Pruning: Remove spent flowers.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering begins. Apply mulch 5-7 cm thick over the root zone; it conserves soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not press mulch against the stem.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
  • Fertilizing: Apply the second fertilizer dose during the growing season. Do not fertilize after August; late growth will not survive winter.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove faded flowers.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Check fresh shoot tips for aphids (small clusters of green or black insects). If there are few, you can knock them off with a strong spray of water. Check the undersides of the leaves for clusters of whiteflies. A yellow sticky trap is the easiest way to monitor their numbers.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing every two weeks.
  • Pruning: Remove spent flowers.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Flowering continues. Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the undersides of the leaves for whitefly clusters. A yellow sticky trap is the easiest way to monitor density.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
  • Fertilizing: Reduce the fertilizing frequency to once a month. Do not overdo it.
  • Pruning: If flowering has ended, only remove dry flowers.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the undersides of the leaves for whitefly clusters. A yellow sticky trap is the easiest way to monitor density.
  • Frost risk: Protect plants against day and night temperature differences.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: From the end of the month, stop fertilizing completely.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the general health of the plant.
  • Frost risk: Keep the plant away from windows that cool at night.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • General care: Move it to a cool (13-15°C), bright place for winter dormancy. Keep it away from heat sources.
  • Pests & diseases: It may drop leaves due to the change of environment; this is normal.
  • Frost risk: Protect it from cold drafts and sudden temperature drops.
November
  • Watering: Water very little, just enough to prevent the soil from drying out completely (1-2 times a month).
  • Plant protection: Check the plant for overwintering pests (mealybugs, scale insects).
  • General care: Allow the plant to rest; this is critical for flowering next season.
  • Pests & diseases: Excess watering can cause root rot during this period, so be very careful.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 5 °C.
December
  • Watering: Water sparingly when the topsoil dries; do not leave water in the saucer.
  • Pruning: Remove yellowing leaves.
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 5 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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