Stephanotis Vine Care
Stephanotis floribunda, aka Madagascar Jasmine or Hawaiian Wedding Flower, is one beautiful vine. It has striking, dark glossy green foliage and heavenly scented, starry flowers grow in clusters that delight the olfactory senses.
How you care for it (in the outdoor world) is not difficult, but like any plant, there are a few things it requires.
This twining vine is evergreen and can grow to reach 30′. It’s not particularly fast-growing (slow but vigorous!) which is good because that means you don’t need to have at it constantly with the pruners.
It does need a means of support to grow on and training to get it to do what you want. The pictures below say it all.
There are quite a few of these vines around Santa Barbara and I would hazard a bet that none get too much pampering if any at all. Here’s what I know:
- Stephanotis likes nice bright light but no direct hot sun.
- This vine is not drought tolerant. Keep it evenly moist.
- It’s hardy to around 39 degrees.
- It doesn’t like dry air. I live 7 blocks from the ocean so that’s why my neighbors’ vines do so well.
- It likes nice rich soil & will benefit from an application or 2 of nice, rich compost every year.
- The roots need to be kept cool – the compost will help with that. This is another reason to keep it out of hot sun.
- As far as insects go, keep an eye out for mealy bug & scale.
As a houseplant (they are most often seen growing on a ring or small trellis), Stephanotis can be a bit tricky. In the winter our home tend to be kept dry and this plant likes humidity.
Another glitch, it likes cool temps in the winter time. Fertilize it with fish emulsion, kelp or liquid seaweed at 1/2 strength during the growing season.
Here in Santa Barbara it flowers from the late Spring through early Winter. This year has been sunny and very mild so the Stephanotis is still blooming away in January.
In days past this was the quintessential bridal flower and was commonly seen in bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres and in bride’s hair.
The individual flowers are put on Stephanotis Picks which are long pieces of covered wire with cotton at the end. This is so they can be put into a bouquet. Sweet little blooms!
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Nell, the founder of Joy Us garden, was born into a gardening family and grew up in Connecticut’s countryside. After living in Boston, New York, San Francisco, & Santa Barbara, she now calls the Arizona desert home. She studied horticulture & garden design, working in the field all her life. Nell is a gardener, designer, blogger, Youtube creator, & author. She’s been gardening for a very long time & wants to share what she’s learned with you.
I have had some luck growing stephanotis floribunda in a dry environment, but not without some effort. Year round I keep it well mulched and during Summer I give the leaves and ground a good hose down in the mornings.
Dry is not its ideal environment so it would take efforts. It does well here because we’re never scorching hot & the moisture from the ocean air is just what it likes.
I have two that winter over in a sun room and spend summers outdoors — both are growing beautifully (I’ve never pruned them), but I’ve only seen a handful of flowers. Thoughts?
Hi Stephanie – Stephanotis, like Hoyas, have beautiful foliage but don’t we love those flowers?! My neighbor’s is in full bloom right now & covers the front of their house. They do well in Santa Barbara because we have a fairly even climate with summer temps averaging in the 70’s & winter temps in the 50’s. Stephanotis like a relatively even climate with no highs & lows. They need those cool winter days & evenings to set the flower buds. Also, because they are native to the tropics, they like humidity. I’d say your summers might be too warm & if your sunporch is heated, then they are not getting the cooler temps (& humidity indoors) that they like. They need a nice, enriched soil & to rest a bit (back off with the watering) in the winter when indoors. Many people struggle to get them to bloom indoors so you’re not alone! Nell
My stephanotis was very healthy at one time but we were away to Florida for six weeks and my son watered my plants. The leaves of the plant are all dried up and I’m wondering if it is dead? What should I do to revive it.
Denise – I’m not quite sure what to tell you because I don’t know enough details. I’m not sure if it was under or over watered. Stephanotis doesn’t like to be dry but it doesn’t like to sit in water either. It can be a bit tricky as a houseplant because it doesn’t like environmental changes. Nell
Nell, my stephanotis is on a pot on my pool patio. It is flourishing too much. I have it in a large pot. It blooms but it is the “Blob” growing everywhere. How far back can I prune it? I will wait until it stops blooming in the winter but this girl is out of control. Thanks, Chris
Hi Chris – Yes, Stephanotis does grow fast. You can take it back by 1/4 its size now. The best time to prune it is late winter so at that time next year, take it back by another 1/4. The general rune is that you can take it back to about 1/2 its size. Be sure to thin it out also. Nell
I have a vine that is growing out doors on my deck for the summer and it is loving it because it’s growing like crazy. …just wondering when the best time to repot it is ?….
Hi Tara – Stephanotis is best repotted in spring. Use a mix which drains well but is very rich. Nell