Caring for evergreen star jasmine in winter | 5 Easy tips

Star jasmine are evergreen areas that get mild winters. There are some easy tips that will help star jasmine to look great when the winter arrives. Avoid pruning star jasmine in winter, water it regularly and mulch with bark to keep the soil moist and stop winter weeds.

My star jasmine has grown rapidly from fall to winter growing from around 30 inches high to at least 5 feet. It is slowly climbing up the screen, growing bright white flowers in spring and looking green and healthy.

This article will explore my top 5 tips for growing star jasmine in winter to keep it evergreen and ready to burst into flower in spring.

Top 5 tips for growing evergreen star jasmine in winter

Here are my top 5 tips for growing evergreen star jasmine in mild climates so that it rapidly grows and is covered in flowers in spring. If you live in a temperate or subtropical climate these tips will help you to grow the best looking star jasmine over winter.

1. Avoid pruning stems and leaves in winter

Avoid pruning star jasmine in winter otherwise you can prune of new growth where flowers will appear. During the winter months star jasmine will be protecting its root system and stems as it prepares to flower in spring.

Once spring arrives new leaves and stems will appear that will start light green and from those ends groups of flower head will appear. This can happen in early winter if the weather is mild. You can leave it to grow new leaves and flowers in the spring and prune once the flowers have turned brown.

This is a winter evergreen star jasmine with dark green leaves and strong stems.

2. Protect it from frosts if it gets too cold

Star jasmine will be evergreen in mild climates but if you do know that frosts are coming move potted star jasmine into a protected area. Move it next to a wall or under an awning to prevent the frost from landing on the leaves. This will keep them green and avoid damage.

Leaves that are damaged by frost usually turn brown on the edges and may eventually fall off. Leave the plant alone and it will recover when the weather warms. Star jasmine are hardy and will recover if they are watered regularly.

Avoid adding fertilizer over winter as the plant should be able to draw enough nitrogen from the soil when the weather warms. Adding too much nitrogen fertilizer during the cold of winter can damage the roots and reduce the amount of flowers.

New flowers growing on the shady side of the screen on my star jasmine.

3. Mulch with bark

Mulching star jasmine with a fine bark mulch has been a great way to prevent weed growth, competition and keep the soil moist. Bark mulch will last all winter and when laid 2-3 inches thick to help to prevent weed growth.

You can use straw mulch, sugar cane mulch or pea straw as mulch if you have them but they will need to be topped up after around 2 months.

This new green growth appeared at the end of a mild winter almost doubling the size of the star jasmine in a few weeks.

4. Use organic slow release fertilizer before fall arrives

Avoid fertilizing star jasmine in winter but it is good to give it a feed of organic fertilizer in fall. Add pelleted chicken manure to the soil in fall before the weather gets too cold in winter.

The plant will absorb the nutrients strengthening its root system and stems ready for winter. While you won’t see much growth over winter the plant will burst into life with new leaves and flowers in spring.

5. Pair star jasmine with annual winter flowering plants to keep the space bright

While star jasmine will stay green over winter in areas with mild climates, they can lack color. Pair star jasmine with some annual winter flowering plants like violas to brighten up the space. Violas will continue to flower in spring and you will have a great display.

Does star jasmine survive winter?

Star jasmine will survive winter with 2-3 inches of bark mulch, regular water and if they are given organic fertilizer in the fall. Star jasmine can lose their leaves in winter but recover quickly in spring once the weather warms up.

Should I cut back jasmine in winter?

Avoid pruning star jasmine in winter because you could be cutting off the areas where the flowers will grow and bloom from. Tidy up the star jasmine at the end of spring or summer when the last flowers have finished and shape the bush ready for dormancy in winter.

Is star jasmine winter hardy?

Star jasmine will survive winters in milder climates, is hardy and a busy climber. It will quickly scale a screen, trellis or climbing pole. Star jasmine will survive winter better if it is mulched well and watered every 4 weeks.

Add some liquid seaweed fertilizer to strengthen the root system, feed the soil bacteria and encourage worms to travel up through the soil to aerate it.

Caring for evergreen star jasmine in winter | Summary

Star jasmine will remain evergreen and covered with leaves over winter in milder climates. To keep them healthy over the winter season mulch then with 2-3 inches of bark mulch, fertilize with pelleted chicken manure in fall and remove old flower heads at the end of summer.

Star jasmine is a hardy plant that is forgiving even when the weather turns cold and frosts. While you might lose leaves in winter, don’t despair as the plant can grow them back rapidly in spring.

Happy growing