How to Grow Star Jasmine in Containers

Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), also called confederate jasmine, is a fragrant, flowering vine native to China and Japan. You can grow star jasmine in a pot or in the ground. It is a perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 to 10. In cooler climates, you can grow the vines indoors or treat them as an annual.

Can you plant star jasmine in a pot? Star jasmine is a great option for container planting. You can plant star jasmine in a pot with a trellis or in a hanging pot so that the vines can trail down. If you don't live in the USDA zones where the plant thrives, you can overwinter container plants indoors.

Be sure to select a container with adequate drainage, as the plants don't do well in wet soil. Consider the weight of the pot you select as well, especially if you plan to grow the plant outdoors and move it inside for the winter.

Position the pot where the star jasmine will get full sun to part shade. The vines will tolerate heavy shade, but this is not ideal for the health of your plants. You will want to enjoy the spring and summer star-shaped white blooms, but keep in mind that the blossoms attract bees. If you are growing the plant indoors, select a window where the star jasmine will get plenty of bright, indirect light during the growing season.

Water the star jasmine regularly to keep the soil moist. They can tolerate some periods of drought. If you notice the leaves are yellowing, apply a balanced fertilizer in the spring.

As a ground cover, star jasmine grows 3 to 6 feet tall and spreads 3 to 6 feet, but it can grow up to 20 feet when growing up a support. To control the flowering vines, you can plant star jasmine near a wall or against a fence or trellis so that the vines can climb. Keep in mind that you may need to remove the vines from the support to move the container indoors for winter. After the flowers fade, you can prune the jasmine to control the size and keep the plant looking neat.

Make sure you disinfect your pruning shears before trimming any vines. You can do this by soaking your pruning shears in a 10 percent bleach solution for about 30 minutes and then rinsing them well.

With proper care, star jasmine does not generally suffer any disease or pest problems. Overwatering can lead to root rot and leave the plants more susceptible to problems.

Japanese beetles can be a problem on occasion. These pests feed on the leaves and flowers of your star jasmine. They don't usually kill healthy plants, but the damage can be unsightly. You can physically remove beetles by hand if you notice them while the population is still small or cover your star jasmine with netting to protect the plant. Pesticides containing pyrethrins and neem oil can be effective against these pests.