Arabian Jasmine - Jasminum sambac

Plant Overview

Arabian Jasmine (Jasminum sambac) is a beloved fragrant flowering shrub prized for its clusters of small, waxy white blooms and their unmistakably sweet, heady scent. Grown in a healthy 4-inch nursery pot, this is the same jasmine traditionally used to flavour jasmine tea and is treasured across South and Southeast Asia both for its fragrance and cultural significance. It's a wonderful choice for Vancouver plant lovers who want a true, richly scented flowering plant for a bright window.

• Live Plant
• Healthy Nursery Grown
• 4-Inch Pot
• Easy Care
• Indoor Plant

Botanical Information

Arabian Jasmine belongs to the Oleaceae, or olive, family and is native to South and Southeast Asia, though it has naturalized in parts of the Arabian Peninsula, which contributed to its common name. It holds deep cultural significance across the region, serving as the national flower of the Philippines, where it is known as sampaguita, and as a traditional offering flower throughout South and Southeast Asia.

Why You'll Love This Plant

Very few houseplants deliver true, unmistakable fragrance the way Arabian Jasmine does, filling a room with sweet perfume each time it blooms. Its glossy green foliage looks attractive even between flowering flushes, and with the right light and warmth it can bloom repeatedly through the warmer months, rewarding consistent care with waves of scent.

Specifications

Plant Features

Glossy, deep green oval leaves grow along twining, semi-vining stems that can be trained onto a small trellis or kept more compact with regular pinching. Clusters of small, star-shaped white flowers open in flushes and are intensely fragrant, especially in the evening.

Plant Care Guide

Light Requirements

Bright light is essential for good flowering, ideally several hours of direct sun through a south- or west-facing window. Insufficient light will result in sparse blooms and leggy, weak growth.

Water Requirements

Keep soil evenly moist during active growth and flowering, watering as the top inch of soil begins to dry. Reduce watering somewhat in winter when growth slows, but avoid letting the plant dry out completely.

Humidity

Arabian Jasmine appreciates moderate to high humidity, reflecting its tropical origins. In dry indoor air, a humidifier or regular misting helps keep foliage healthy and supports more reliable blooming.

Temperature

Keep this plant in a warm spot between 18 and 29 degrees Celsius, away from cold drafts. It has no frost tolerance and should never be exposed to temperatures below about 10 degrees Celsius.

Soil

Use a rich, well-draining potting mix, such as a peat-based blend with added perlite, to support healthy root growth while preventing waterlogging.

Fertilizer

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer formulated for flowering plants every three to four weeks during spring and summer to encourage abundant blooms, tapering off in fall and winter.

Repotting

Repot every one to two years in spring, moving up one pot size as roots fill the container.

Pruning

Prune lightly after flowering flushes to encourage bushier growth and more blooms, and trim any leggy or twining stems to maintain your preferred shape.

Propagation

Arabian Jasmine propagates well from semi-hardwood stem cuttings taken in spring or summer, rooted in a moist, well-draining mix with warmth and humidity.

Growth Rate

This plant grows at a moderate pace, with the potential to bloom in flushes multiple times through the growing season under good conditions.

Mature Size

Indoors in a container, Arabian Jasmine typically reaches 60 to 120 centimetres, with a similar or somewhat smaller spread, especially when pruned regularly.

Indoor Care

Arabian Jasmine grows well as a year-round houseplant across Canada in a bright, warm spot. Rotate the pot occasionally for even growth and keep it away from cold drafts, especially in winter.

Outdoor Care

In the Vancouver region, this plant can summer outdoors on a warm, sheltered, sunny patio, but it must come back indoors well before nighttime temperatures cool in fall, as it cannot tolerate cold or frost.

Flowering Information

Clusters of small, star-shaped white flowers appear in flushes primarily during the warmer months, with the potential for repeat blooming under bright light and consistent care. Flowers often release their strongest fragrance in the evening.

Fragrance

Arabian Jasmine is grown first and foremost for its intensely sweet fragrance, considered one of the most prized scents among flowering houseplants and widely used in perfumery and traditional jasmine tea production.

Pet Safety

True jasmine species, including Jasminum sambac, are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, distinguishing it from unrelated plants that share the common name "jasmine" but belong to different, toxic genera.

Common Problems

Sparse or absent flowering is most often linked to insufficient light. Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering, while wilting points to underwatering or a sudden drop in humidity.

Pest Management

Aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs can occasionally appear, particularly on new growth and flower buds. Inspect regularly and treat any infestation with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Styling Ideas

Train this plant onto a small trellis or hoop for an elegant vertical display, or let it grow more naturally as a bushy accent on a sunny windowsill where its fragrance can fill the room during blooming flushes.

Perfect For

Fragrance lovers, sunny windows, and anyone browsing our flowering plants collection for a plant that delivers true, memorable scent alongside attractive foliage.

Seasonal Care

Growth and flowering are most active in spring and summer, when regular watering and feeding support repeat blooms. In fall and winter, reduce watering and feeding as the plant enters a slower rest period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn't my Arabian Jasmine blooming? Insufficient light is the most common cause of sparse or absent flowers.

Is Arabian Jasmine safe for pets? True jasmine species are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

How fragrant are the flowers? Very fragrant, with a sweet scent that often intensifies in the evening.

How often should I water it? Keep soil evenly moist during the growing season, allowing the top inch to dry slightly between waterings.

Can this plant go outdoors in summer? Yes, in a warm, sheltered, sunny spot, but it must come indoors before temperatures cool in fall.

How do I propagate Arabian Jasmine? Through semi-hardwood stem cuttings rooted in a moist, well-draining mix.

Is this the same jasmine used in tea? Yes, Jasminum sambac is the traditional jasmine used to scent jasmine tea.

How big does it get indoors? Typically 60 to 120 centimetres, depending on pruning.

Does it need high humidity? It prefers moderate to high humidity for the healthiest growth and blooming.

What pests should I watch for? Aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs are the most common.

Why Buy From Us

Every Arabian Jasmine we sell is nursery-grown and inspected before shipping, arriving healthy and ready to bloom. Our Vancouver-based team is happy to help with care questions as your plant settles into your home.

Order Yours Today

Bring true, unforgettable fragrance into your home with an Arabian Jasmine, shipped fresh across Canada.