Summer jasmine is actually not jasmine at all and is not related to it. Ethe correct name is rather “jasmine-flowered nightshade”, botanically: Solanum jasminoides. Its white flowers are really impressive and caring for them is not particularly complicated.
How do I properly care for summer jasmine?
The summer jasmine needs a sunny to partially shaded location, protected from the wind and warm. The ideal soil is slightly moist, loose, permeable, humus-rich and nutrient-rich. Watering and fertilizing regularly (every 14 days, from March to September) as well as a cool winter period are also important.
Location and soil
Summer jasmine, also known as the potato bush, thrives best in a sunny to partially shaded spot in the garden. This can be a house wall facing the sun or a pot on the terrace, both of which can be provided with a trellis. The location should also be protected from the wind and warm.
Summer jasmine has some demands on the soil. It is best to be slightly moist, well-drained and loose, but also humus and nutrient-rich. The potato bush is rather sensitive to waterlogging, so it should be avoided.
Watering and fertilizing summer jasmine
Be sure to keep your summer jasmine's soil evenly moist. In a dry and/or hot summer, this means daily watering to prevent the plant from drying out. It is best to use rain or pond water, summer jasmine does not like cold tap water.
In addition to sufficient water, Solanum jasminoides needs regular fertilizer because it has high nutrient requirements. From March to September, add some liquid fertilizer (€18.00 on Amazon) to the irrigation water about every 14 days. Alternatively, you can also use compost and horn shavings.
Summer jasmine in winter
The summer jasmine, which comes from South America, is not hardy, but does not die immediately in the event of short-term frost. It can overwinter well in a cool place, but prefers it to be moderately cool. Warm wintering in the living room is definitely not recommended. Then the summer jasmine tends to be infested with aphids or other pests.
The most important things in brief:
- Location: sunny to partially shaded, warm and protected from the wind
- ideal soil: slightly moist, loose, permeable, humus and nutrient-rich
- reacts sensitively to waterlogging
- needs a trellis
- can be cultivated well in pots
- water regularly, preferably with rain or pond water
- fertilize regularly in summer (every 14 days, from March to September)
- Clean out wilted flowers regularly
- Winter bright and cool
- suitable as an ampel plant
- very pleasant scent
- poisonous in all parts of the plant
- susceptible to aphids
Tip
Summer jasmine will not bloom if it lacks sun, warmth or nutrients.
