How To Take Care Of Your White Jasmine Bonsai Tree

Trachelospermum Jasminoides Bonsai Care

About The White Jasmine Bonsai Tree

The whit ejasmine is a species of flowering plant in the milkweed family, Apocynaceae, which is native to eastern and southeastern Asia, into Japan, Korea, southern China, and Vietnam.

It is also known as the Star Jasmine, Confederate Jasmine, and Trader's Compass.

This jasmine is an evergreen woody vine that can be trained into tree form.

It has shiny dark leaves and waxy, snow white flowers that are about 1" across.  The flowers are intensely fragrant, and fade to pink as they age.

The flowers smell so pleasant, they are the base of many perfumes, teas, and even Thai jasmine rice.

The White Jasmine blooms throughout the summer, and almost continuously in warm climates.

Placement

The white jasmine is a tropical plant and will die if frozen. When the overnight low temperatures drop to 45 degrees, it's time to bring your bonsai indoors for the winter.

When the low temperatures are consistently above 45 degrees, feel free to bring you r bonsai back outside.

It loves light, and should get plenty of it on a south facing windowsill if possible.

Watering

The white jasmine, like most bonsai trees, will die if it dries out.  It enjoys plenty of water in well draining soil. Never let it dry out completely.

Humidity

The white jasmine enjoys humidity in the drier months, and a suitable humidity drip tray will provide plenty.

Fertilizing

Since your white jasmine bonsai is in a small pot, and not the ground, it needs nutrients.  A slow release (pellet based) fertilizer is perfect for this, and can be added sparingly every 1-2 months during the growing season.

Pruning & Trimming

Trim back the new growth to the farthest safe point that looks good to you — but never remove all of the new growth.

A regular trim will help keep your white jasmine bonsai tree short, while helping the trunk grow thicker.

Repotting

Repotting must be performed periodically on your bonsai, white jasmine included, when its root system has filled the pot.  If you can clearly see the roots coming out of the bottom of the pot, it’s time to repot your bonsai.

Generally, this means every 2-3 years for a deciduous tree and every 4-5 years for an evergreen.  White jasmine, being an evergreen, will need to be repotted around every 4-5 years depending on its environment.

Repotting should be done in mid-summer, when the tree is at it’s least fragile state.

Your white jasmine bonsai, along with all of its soil, should be removed from the pot.  From there, you can trim away no more than 1/3rd of the root mass (1/4th is preferred.) 

Then you can repot the tree in the same pot, or give it a newer / bigger pot to thrive in.

After repotting, your bonsai white jasmine should be thoroughly watered.

Diseases, Insects & Other Pests

Your white jasmine bonsai can be treated for pests like a normal white jasmine plant.  Just remember, your tree is miniature and will need a much smaller and more gentile dose of treatment.