Prepare Your Jasmine Plants For Winter With One Simple Addition To The Soil

Jasmine (Jasminum spp.) is a beautiful plant known for its stunning flowers and strong fragrance. While they aren't native to the United States, they do well across most of the country. There are many species of jasmine, and each one has slightly different preferred growing conditions. Most thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10, but some can handle colder areas down to zone 6 or as warm as 11. Even though successfully growing jasmine plants can involve a lot of work, they're pretty easy to overwinter.

However, that doesn't mean you can just leave them to their own devices. They need a little bit of love and care to make it through. All you really need to do is add mulch to the soil. Specifically, one made from organic materials, which is among the best types of mulch for your garden, especially for jasmine. Choose a good insulating material, such as straw or hardwood chips. Shredded leaves are also a great option. You want roughly 6 inches of leaf litter or straw, or 4 inches of hardwood chips. The mulch will help keep the soil moist and warm, preventing frost from damaging the roots. If your area will experience temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit for a little while, it may also be ideal to add a layer of protective fabric temporarily. 

Before you mulch in the fall, it's always a good idea to water your jasmine plants deeply. This will keep your plant hydrated over the winter, thanks to the layer of mulch on top, reducing evaporation. Like when mulching most other plants, try to cover the soil around the entirety of your jasmine's roots. Although you want a nice, thick layer, be sure to leave a small gap between the mulch and the stems of your jasmine. Because it tends to stay moist, the mulch can lead to rot and disease if your plant comes into contact with it. 

It's worth noting that you shouldn't assume your jasmine is dead simply because it looks brown and is lacking any green growth. Wait to trim or pull up a potentially dead plant until spring comes, as they can go dormant for a while and appear to have died off, only to come back happy and healthy once the temperatures rise. 

Additionally, the mulch tip only works in zones where your particular species is hardy. If you live somewhere that's too cold, more extreme solutions may be necessary, such as building up a mini-greenhouse over it or bringing the plant inside. Since most often, jasmine flowers grow better in pots than in the ground, if you know yours won't do well outdoors year-round, it may be best to keep it in a pot and bring it inside when temperatures drop.