Crape Jasmine Plant Care

Crape Jasmine (Tabernaemontana divaricata) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Tabernaemontana genus. Crape Jasmine is native to South Asia, Southeast Asia and China. Crape Jasmine is also known as East Indian Rosebay, Nero's Crown, Adam's Needle.

Crape Jasmine displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Crape Jasmine produces fragrant white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Crape Jasmine every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Crape Jasmine thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Crape Jasmine in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Tabernaemontana divaricata tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Crape Jasmine prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining, fertile soil with added perlite for extra drainage. Good drainage is essential for Crape Jasmine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Crape Jasmine every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining, fertile soil with added perlite for extra drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Crape Jasmine is suited to USDA Zone 9b – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Crape Jasmine can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Crape Jasmine while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Crape Jasmine is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Crape Jasmine can be propagated through stem cuttings, air layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to african dogwood plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Crape Jasmine is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Crape Jasmine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Crape Jasmine is native to South Asia, Southeast Asia and China. In cooler regions, grow Crape Jasmine as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.