Stephanotis floribunda
Madagascar jasmine, Bridal-wreath, Wax flower
Also known as Stephanotis
- Height × spread
- 5m × 4m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, tolerates part shade
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A floral beauty with clusters of creamy white flowers like unblemished porcelain. The flowers have five broad, widespread petals and come from a long basal tube slightly swollen at its base and held on a platform of five small triangular green leaves. In the tropics it flowers at intervals throughout the year, but is likely to flower periodically during summer and autumn when cultivated in cold areas. The plant's evergreen foliage is dark green and glossy, dwarfing the flowers. It is a climber with a twining growth habit, and benefits from being tied to supports to encourage it to twine and climb. This needs warmth and light but not direct sunshine. It should not be moved once the flowerbuds start to develop. Water regularly and do not let the compost dry out. It needs a minimum temperature of 18C. The fragrance is exceptional, though some people dislike it!
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 5m
- Spread
- 4m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- bright spot, no direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 18C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food
Using a balanced houseplant fertiliser, feed at alternate waterings.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Spring-Winter · Indoors
Mist the plant daily
Soft or rain water is preferred as it doesn't mark the foliage. Don't mist when the plant is in sunshine or the foliage could be scorched.
Mist the plant daily.
Winter
Winter-Spring · Indoors
Water lightly in winter
The soil should remain just moist during the cold months when the plant is not in growth. Trickle a little water onto the soil surface every couple of weeks if the soil is dry. Do nothing if it is moist.
The roots remain active in winter and benefit from small amounts of moisture so they don't become completely desiccated.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based houseplant compost for repotting
Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.
John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.
Indoor temperature · Planting
18C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 18 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a bright spot, no direct sun
Give this a bright position away from the direct sun, especially direct sun at the height of the day. (Direct sunshine is too hot and can burn the leaves.) Move the plant to a brighter position in the room during winter and early spring.