Star jasmine: how to grow and care for the climber (2025)

The aptly-named star jasmine is an aromatic climber with glossy, green oval leaves with white fragrant star-shaped flowers that mark the start of spring. While there are many different varieties of jasmine available, Trachelospermum jasminoides is one of the most popular because, as well as looking great, it’s an exceptional climber and relatively low-maintenance.

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So, if you want to add some star jasmine to your garden, or have some that needs a bit of extra care, here’s what you need to know.

Star jasmine: how to grow and care for the climber (1)

Planting star jasmine

This variety of jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is a great choice for fences, pergolas and lattice screens. You can buy it as tubestock or more established plants, depending on the garden centre or nursery.

When choosing where to plant it, keep in mind how much sun it will get. While star jasmine can grow in partial shade, it will grow slower and produce fewer flowers. The more direct sun you give this climbing plant, the happier it will be.

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You’ll also need to establish a frame for it to climb, which shouldn’t take too long but does help it grow the way you want.

Like many plants, jasmine will benefit from some mulch and fertiliser when its first planted. While it is a relatively hardy climber, make sure it gets enough water on hot summer days.

Can you grow star jasmine in pots?

If you don’t have much space but still want this spring scent around, you can also use a planter. Just keep in mind that it may not do well with repotting and would ideally have a trellis or something else to climb. When planting, ensure you use of high-quality potting mix and slow-release fertiliser for flowering plants at the beginning of spring and autumn.

Seeds and variegated forms

When you sow seeds, there’s always a chance you’ll grow something different from the parent plant. For example, there is a yellow form of star jasmine called ‘Yellow Star’, which was probably a seedling variation someone noticed among a batch of seedlings or spotted in the garden near an ordinary white-flowered form.

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There are also variegated forms, such as ‘Tricolor’, which has cream and pink variegations on its leaves and is a good ground cover plant.

Star jasmine: how to grow and care for the climber (9)

3 tips for growing and caring for star jasmine

  • If you find a seedpod and want to try to grow more star jasmine, wait until the seeds have matured and the pods are dry, then sow the individual seeds into seed-raising mix.
  • Fertilise your jasmine plant in spring just before new growth appears.
  • Train the vine using atrellis, string or ties when it’s young.

Pruning

As a fast-growing climbing plant, jasmine can become weedy; keep it in bounds with some ruthless pruning. During spring and summer, trim the plant to remove the spent flowers. You can also use pruning as a way of helping to train it to climb whatever trellis or structure you want.

Winter care

While relatively hardy, star jasmine may still struggle to survive an especially cold winter frost. If you have it in a pot or planter, bring it indoors and position in front of a sunny window during winter. While the flowers most likely won’t bloom indoors, once the threat of frost has passed and you move it back outside, it’ll be healthy, happy and full of flowers.

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If it’s planted outside, ideally you should consider whether it will get much sunlight in winter. Planting it somewhere that may have radiant heat, such as a sunny brick wall, can also help it through winter.

Star jasmine: how to grow and care for the climber (17)

Does star jasmine need a trellis?

While star jasmine plants thrive in vertical gardens with trellises – they allow the plant to grow taller and faster – the flowering climber can just as easily grow horizontally or as a stand-alone plant.

How big do star jasmine get in Australia?

If you grow star jasmine as a climber, it can reach 2-5 metres in height. As a ground cover, it will typically grow up to 0.5 metres. But keep in mind that where you plant it can have an impact on how well it grows. For example, if it’s in a mostly sunny position, it’s likely to grow a lot faster than in full shade.

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Is star jasmine poisonous?

There are various varieties of jasmine in Australia, and most, including the white fragrant jasmine and star jasmine, are not considered toxic. However, it is still not recommended to allow pets to eat too much of the plant.

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Star jasmine: how to grow and care for the climber (2025)
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