How to Propagate a Jasmine Plant

Propagating jasmine plants is a difficult process that takes several months. The best way to propagate the jasmine plant is to use a process known as air layering. Air layering starts the growth of the new plant while it is still attached to the parent plant. Jasmine plants grow best in hardiness zones 6 to 9, because they do not like winter temperatures below 30 degrees. Other locations can grow jasmine if they bring the plants inside for the winter.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

• Sand
• Loam
• Peat
• Potting soil
• High-phosphorous fertilizer
• Pruning shears
• Adult jasmine
• Matches
• Small, sharp knife
• Rooting hormone
• Sphagnum moss
• Willow extract
• Plastic wrap
• Tape
• Small stick
• Twine

1. Soak a handful of moss overnight in willow extract. Keep the moss wet until needed.

2. Cut a 1 1/2- to 2-inch diagonal cut into the stem of an established jasmine plant. Make the cut in the early summer, during May or June for best results. Cut at a 45-degree angle. Split the entire branch. In most cases this will nearly cut the branch in two pieces.

3. Light the match and blow it out. Place the match inside the cut as a wedge to keep it open. Stabilize the branch by tying the stick to the branch below and above the cut area with twine. Rub the entire cut surface with rooting hormone.

4. Take the moss and wrap it around the entire branch 2 inches beyond the cut on either side. Press the moss inside the cut area as well as around the entire branch.

5. Wrap clear plastic wrap around the moss loosely. Hold in place with clear tape. Leave a small section that can be opened to add water as needed.

6. Water the moss every two to three weeks as needed. The roots will take three to four months before they will begin to form.

7. Prepare a growing mixture to place the new plant in. Mix 10 percent each of peat, loam and sand into 70 percent of potting soil. Place the soil in a large pot. Fertilize the soil with a high phosphorous fertilizer and water thoroughly.

8. Cut the branch away from the rest of the jasmine plant below the mossy area. Remove the plastic from the moss, but keep the moss in place. Bury the cut branch inside the pot, completely covering the mossy area. Keep shaded for several weeks, watering the top 2 inches of soil two to three times a week.