Not every jasmine variety is built to handle a freezing winter outdoors. If you’re wondering which ones need a cozy spot inside and which ones can brave the snow, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s break down how to keep your jasmine happy until spring.
Know Your Jasmine: Real vs. Fake
When it comes to winter hardiness, the first thing you need to do is identify exactly what you’re growing. There’s a big difference between the two main types:
- True Jasmine (Jasminum officinale)
- False Jasmine (also known as Mock Orange or Philadelphus)
Is True Jasmine Winter Hardy?
The short answer is: True Jasmine is generally not winter hardy. Since it’s a tropical native, it just isn’t equipped to handle freezing American winters. If you leave True Jasmine out in the frost, it will likely freeze and die. To keep it thriving year after year, you’ll need to move it to a protected winter shelter.
Finding the Perfect Winter Spot
The ideal winter home for your True Jasmine should be bright and cool. The most important rule? Keep it away from temperatures that dip below freezing. A bright hallway, a sunroom, or even a cool stairwell works great. If you’re tight on space, a dark basement can work in a pinch, as long as it stays above 32°F. Most gardeners find that overwintering jasmine in a pot is the easiest way to manage the move.
Don’t panic if your True Jasmine drops all its leaves during the winter—that’s totally normal! It’ll push out fresh new growth in the spring. Once the weather starts to warm up, you can start “hardening it off” by putting it outside for a few hours a day. Just make sure to wait until the very last danger of night frost has passed (usually after Mother’s Day in many regions) before leaving it out for good.
The Tough Guy: False Jasmine
Unlike its delicate cousin, False Jasmine (Mock Orange) is completely winter hardy in most climates. These hardy shrubs can easily handle temperatures as low as -13°F (-25°C). You don’t need to worry about overwintering False Jasmine indoors at all. Also, a pro tip: avoid pruning it in the fall; it’s better to let it be until after it blooms.
Extra TLC for Young Plants
Even though False Jasmine is tough, “baby” plants need a little extra help. Their root systems aren’t deep enough yet to escape the deep freeze. I recommend giving young plants a thick “blanket” of mulch—think compost, dry leaves, or straw—to insulate the roots.
You can also wrap the plant in winter fleece or a burlap sack to protect the branches from icy winds. Even if the tips of the branches get a bit of frostbite, don’t worry—as long as those roots stay warm and healthy, the plant will bounce back with new shoots in the spring!