Moderate Climber Toxic to pets

Madagascar Jasmine

Stephanotis floribunda

Madagascar Jasmine is an indoor vine with an enchanting fragrance whose pure white waxy flowers are synonymous with elegance.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 5 days
Light

Bright indirect light
Humidity

60–80 %
Temperature

15–25 °C

How to care for your Madagascar Jasmine

Everything you need to keep your Madagascar Jasmine healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Stephanotis floribunda is a twining vine native to Madagascar, considered one of the most fragrant houseplants. Its immaculate white, waxy tubular flowers release a sweet and captivating fragrance, particularly intense in the evening. It is a demanding plant that requires high humidity, consistent light, and hates being moved. A cool winter rest (12–15°C) with reduced watering is essential to ensure beautiful flowering the following summer.

Watering your Madagascar Jasmine

Every 5 days

Water with lukewarm, lime-free water. Keep the substrate slightly moist during the growing season. Reduce significantly in winter.

How to know it needs water

Topsoil dry at the surface
Leaves losing their gloss
Flower buds beginning to drop

How much light a Madagascar Jasmine needs

Bright indirect light

Bright indirect light. A few hours of morning sun are beneficial. Avoid harsh afternoon sun and sudden changes in light levels.

Direct sun tolerated: 1 to 3 h a day
Orientations that suit it: North, North-east, East, South-east, South, South-west, West, North-west

Humidity and misting

60–80 %

60–80% Mist regularly with lime-free water. Avoid wetting the flowers. Maintain high humidity, especially in winter with central heating.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 14 days

Fertilize regularly during growth. Stop completely from October to March. Excess fertilizer promotes vegetative growth at the expense of flowers.

Recommended feed: Liquid fertilizer for flowering plants, high in potassium (NPK 10-20-30) from spring to late summer. · 10-30-20

Repotting your Madagascar Jasmine

Every 24 months

Use rich, slightly acidic compost with perlite for drainage. Do not over-pot — Stephanotis flowers better slightly root-bound. Provide a sturdy support.

When: Spring (March–April)
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, pine bark, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Roots emerging through drainage holes
Plant no longer flowering
Substrate exhausted

Pruning your Madagascar Jasmine

After flowering, in late summer. Shorten overly long stems and remove dead wood. Do not prune hard. Guide new stems onto the support. Take care with the irritating latex.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 8 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 4 in the growing season.

Active growth · Days between waterings

Toxicity

All parts are toxic. The milky latex can cause skin irritation and digestive upset if ingested by animals or humans.

Good to know

Stephanotis is traditionally used in bridal bouquets for its delicate fragrance and pure white flowers symbolizing marital happiness.
Its name comes from the Greek 'stephanos' (crown) and 'otis' (ear), describing the shape of its stamens arranged in a crown.

Frequently asked questions about the Madagascar Jasmine

How do you care for a Madagascar Jasmine?

Water it every 5 days. Give it bright indirect light. Ideal humidity: 60–80 %. Ideal temperature: 15–25 °C. Water with lukewarm, lime-free water. Keep the substrate slightly moist during the growing season. Reduce significantly in winter.

How often should you water a Madagascar Jasmine?

Every 5 days Water with lukewarm, lime-free water. Keep the substrate slightly moist during the growing season. Reduce significantly in winter. How to know it needs water : Topsoil dry at the surface ; Leaves losing their gloss ; Flower buds beginning to drop.

How much light does a Madagascar Jasmine need?

Bright indirect light Bright indirect light. A few hours of morning sun are beneficial. Avoid harsh afternoon sun and sudden changes in light levels. 1 to 3 h a day

Is the Madagascar Jasmine toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. All parts are toxic. The milky latex can cause skin irritation and digestive upset if ingested by animals or humans. Keep it out of reach of your pets and call a vet if any is swallowed.

Why are my Madagascar Jasmine leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Madagascar Jasmine?

Repot every 24 months, ideally in spring (march–april). Use rich, slightly acidic compost with perlite for drainage. Do not over-pot — Stephanotis flowers better slightly root-bound. Provide a sturdy support.