Take a jasmine cutting, or layer a stem that still sits on the vine.
Take a cutting, or layer a stem that still sits on the vine
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor kinds | Hardwood cuttings in winter, or layer a one-year stem | Relying on seed for bloom this year |
| Tender kinds | Softwood or semi-ripe cuttings in spring or summer | A leafless stick pushed into wet mix in a cold room |
| Winter jasmine | Pin a low stem to the soil; it roots where it touches | Waiting for berries that rarely form |
| Mix | A draining cutting mix, kept evenly moist and warm | A sealed jar of standing water as the only method |
Cuttings and layering both make a new plant. Seed is slow and often does not come true. [1] officinale takes hardwood in winter. Arabian jasmine and other tender kinds root from warm-weather cuttings. [2]
Can I grow jasmine from cuttings?
Yes. Outdoor kinds root from hardwood cuttings in winter. Tender kinds root from softwood cuttings in warm weather.
Will winter jasmine root where stems touch the soil?
Yes. Arching stems root where they touch. Pin a node down, keep the soil moist, then cut the new plant free.
How to propagate jasmine
Take one method at a time: a cutting in a draining mix, or a layered stem still attached to the parent. Semi-ripe wood usually roots more reliably than a soft green tip.
- For a cutting, snip a stem just below a node. Strip the lower leaves and leave one or two pairs at the tip. [3]
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone if you have it. Stand the cutting in a draining mix. Keep the mix moist and warm, out of harsh midday sun, until roots form.
- For layering, bend a flexible one-year stem to the soil. Bury a node, keep the tip in the air, and hold the stem with a pin or a stone. winter jasmine does this on its own where canes touch. [4]
- When the new plant resists a gentle tug, cut it free and pot it or plant it.
What fails a cutting
A torn, leafless stick in wet mix rots before it roots. A cutting that dries out also fails. Seed is a long wait and hybrids will not match the parent. Buy a potted plant if you need bloom this year.
Root a cutting in draining mix, or pin a stem down until it roots. Seed is the long way.
FAQ
Can jasmine cuttings root in water?
Some gardeners root them in water. A draining mix is the more reliable home method. Change water often if you try it.
Should I start jasmine from seed?
Only if you can wait. Germination is slow. Hybrids will not come true. Cuttings and layering match the plant you already like.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Gardening Know How -
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/jasmine/jasmine-propagation-tips.htm - [2] Royal Horticultural Society -
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/jasmine/growing-guide - [3] Old Farmer's Almanac -
https://www.almanac.com/plant/jasmine - [4] North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/jasminum-nudiflorum/
This note is part of Jasminum Guides.
More notes on making another plant live in Propagating Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors