With winter setting in and having recently gotten a couple of grow lights, it was time to get a indoor flowering plant. Jasmine was the obvious choice - fragrant, claiming to be everbloomers, and familiarity of the Beli back home (Bangladesh).
As it is with most products in US, there were too many choices and the not so straightforward naming of cultivars and varieties required some deep digging. Below are notes from what I could find on the web. After days of deliberation on growth rate, looks and flower longevity, the 'Belle of India' is what I settled on. Actually preferred its sport "Mysore Mulli' but that is not available at present. Belle of India is not the largest of the flowers, tends to be lanky, seems more susceptible to pests, and flowers fall off in a day....still, it is the fragrance that counts!
Perfect houseplant, takes both sun or shade, Jasminum Sambac is a beautiful fragrant everbloomer both for your home and garden.
In 1753, Carl Linnaeus first described the plant as Nyctanthes sambac in the first edition of his famous book Systema Naturae. In 1789, William Aiton reclassified the plant to the genus Jasminum. He also coined the common English name of "Arabian jasmine". Also known as Sampaguita / Philippine Jasmine, Pikake in Hawaii, and Mali Chantaboon in Thailand, Kampupot, and Melati . Genus name is a medieval Latin name for the Persian name yasmin or yasamin. Specific epithet comes from the Medieval Arabic word zanbaq meaning jasmine flower oil.
The three major varieties differ from each other by leaves shape and flowers structure. Sometimes, however, fluctuations occur (or what they call "sport"). The fourth popular variety Mysore Mulli, as we consider, is a variation of the 'Belle of India'.
Maid of Orleans - Single with rounded petals -
Belle of India (longer petals) or "Mysore Mulli" - Semi-double or single (we saw both single and double flowers on the same plant) with elongated petals
Grand Duke - triple flower
Maid of Orleans
"Maid of Orleans" (Mograw', 'Motiya', 'Bela', 'Mallipoo', 'Lei pikake', 'Tea Jasmine', 'Gundi Mullige', 'Sampaguita') - . The most popular of all the jasmines in the world has round white extremely fragrant single flowers which are borne in profusion. It flowers from the tips, every 30-40 days, depending on the temperature. The hotter the better. The flowers drop off within 24 hours and are replaced with more the next day. This variety is used for making Hawaiian flower leis. Loves full drenching of water after the soil is little on the dry side. You will discover that the clarity and sweetness of fragrance of this jasmine is unrivaled. This bushy compact plant does particularly well on windowsills but requires frequent pruning to keep shape. The easiest variety to grow. More vining habit than other two, and foliage is the most beautiful and dark green. Min. temp. 60 F. Everbloomer. Maid of Orleans is perhaps the single best jasmine for growing indoors all year in a sunny, warm window, or about 6 inches beneath the tubes in a fluorescent-light garden. It produces deliciously scented white flowers on new growth and is not dependent on seasonal changes in temperature in order to set buds.Arabian Nights
"Arabian Nights" (Arabian Knights) is very close to Maid of Orleans, but the flowers are double. Dark long green leaves.Belle of India
"Belle of India". (Madhan Mograw) Origin: India. Another beautiful and unusual species in the J. Sambac family. With its long slender oval shape buds, one cannot but admire the flowers when open. Sweet fragrance and pure white double 1" flower makes this jasmine a pleasure to grow. This plant needs higher temperatures and light level to perform. Although a minimum indoor temperature of 60ยบ and good light are needed to reach its full potential, the fragrance emitted from this jasmine makes finding that special place in your house worth it. Requires frequent pruning for denser shape. Intermediate shape between vine and shrub; an upright vining habit make this cultivar a pleasure to grow. Grows to 1-2' in container Min. temp 60 F. Everbloomer. More susceptible to spider mites.Elongata Belle of India
Long pointed buds open to wonderfully fragrant large starry white flowers to 2" across that are borne in small clusters from spring to fall on this evergreen twining climber or arching shrub. A choice selection of 'Belle of India' that has larger flowers more starry flowers and appears to be a much more free flowering.Mysore Mulli
"Mysore Mulli" is a very close relative of Belle of India. It has slightly shorter petals than other Belle ('Elongata'). This variety is the most reliable bloomer of all sambacs. Although pale green, sometimes yellowish leaves are not the best part of the plant, the flowers are the most profuse and very strongly perfumed. It blooms practically year around, providing warm and bright light conditions.Grand Duke of Tuscany
"Grand Duke of Tuscany " (Mogori Sambac, Butt Mograw, Hawaiian Pikake, Rose Jasmine, Sambac Flore Pleno) is a slow growing Jasmine but grandest of them all, with the largest flowers. Up to 1.5" fully double white blooms emerge on the tips of its upright stems.The older plants seem to be more fascinating in providing flowers of different shapes and sizes on the same plant at the same time. A flower stays for a long time (few days) and doesn't drop off and in most cases will dry right on the plant. Same sweet fragrance of Maid of Orleans but stronger. This bushy compact plant needs a little more special attention than other Jasmines. Flower is used for tea and religious ceremonies. Requires frequent pruning for denser shape, otherwise becomes leggy. Everbloomer.
The fragrance is not as strong as Belle of India. Unfortunately,it is generally too lanky to be recommended for ordinary home cultivation. Even in the greenhouse, its stems become unwieldy. However, at the top of those long branches are frilly petaled flowers that resemble fat white roses. They have the most heavenly smell which reminds me of a spicy version of chrysanthemum.
Grand Duke Supreme
"Grand Duke Supreme" has yet bigger flowers and elongated leaves. It is more vigorous, producing exceptionally fragrant, very double , large flowers , to 2" across are composed of up to what could be a hundred individual creamy white petals in an often slightly looser flower form, yet still dense, than that of the more common Grand Duke of Tuscany. Grand Duke Supreme Sambac Jasmine has in our experience been a more vigorous grower and may be slightly more free flowering than its namesake. The flowers stay on plants longer and open fully.Summer Soul 'Monhariklia'
Large, highly scented, fully double flowers will fill the garden with fragrance. Glossy evergreen foliage on a compact form creates an attractive clipped hedge for mild climates, where this tropical shrub may bloom nearly year-round. A perfect patio container specimen that may be wintered indoors in colder northern zones.Offered by Monrovia - not sure if it can be a houseplant.
Mali Chat
"Malichat" (Mali Chat) - is a rare hybrid, cultivated in Thailand. Flowers are multi-leveled, smaller size (1/2 inch), but very fragrant as all sambacs. In Thailand, this is the most popular variety for flower leis due to its flower shape, convenient for making garland.Flore Plena
Only offered by Logees. Flore Plena brings the intoxicating fragrance typical of the sambac cultivars along with its unique double blooms. The fully double flower heads are comprised of a flower-within-a-flower. Slower growing variety like ‘Grand Duke.’ As far as J. flore plena from Logees goes, the fragrant is not that strong but the bud and flowers are beautiful.Note - Flore pleno is a term that comes from a Latin phrase that means "many flowers." It is used as a species or, more often, a varietal name for plants whose flowers have more petals than normal. Sometimes flore pleno varieties have a double set of petals. The Grand Duke of Tuscany Sambac Jasmine is also known as Flore-Pleno Jasmine.
Comparison
| Variety | Growth | Light | Fragrance | Flower | Foliage | Other |
| Maid of Orleans | very fast-growing | most shade tolerant | strongest in spring | Single 3/4" flower. Year round most in spring, flower lasts 1 day. | the most beautiful, wide deep green leaves, single, very ornamental, requires very frequent pruning if grown as a shrub, fast growing and the best as a vine. | Blooms profusely in spring; the most beautiful leaves of all sambacs. |
| Arabian Nights | fast-growing | shade tolerant | strong | Double 1/2" flower. Blooms on and off during warm period. | light green paired leaves, requires pruning for nice shape | |
| Belle of India | moderately growing |
full sun to semi-shade | strong | Double 1" flower with long narrow petals. Year around, most in summer. | light green paired leaves, requires pruning for nice shape | Controllable, compact shape. |
| Mysore Mulli | very fast-growing | full sun to semi-shade | very strong |
Double 1" flower. The most reliable bloomer, blooms year around provided full sun and warmth | pale green to yellowish paired leaves, requires a lot of pruning for nice shape | The most reliable bloomer, although leaves are not the best feature |
| Grand Duke | slow growing | full sun to semi-shade | the strongest | Triple 1,5" flower. Year round, most in summer, the largest flowers. | dark green triple leaves, requires pruning for nice shape | One of the favorites for large triple flowers. The best houseplant. |
| Grand Duke Supreme | fast-growing | full sun to semi-shade | the strongest | Triple 2" flower. Year round, most in summer, the largest flowers. | dark green elongated triple leaves | Rare variety. The most vigorous of all. |
Growing indoors
Cultivation
To grow these plants outdoors, you have to be in zone 8 or higher. This plant is easy to grow in general. Many people from Northern States grow Sambacs successfully and enjoy the fragrance almost year round. The good thing for indoor culture is that Jasminum Sambac tolerates both shade and full sun and will bloom most of the year with a proper care.
Potting. Use only special potting soilless mix, with a large amount of organic matter, like peat moss. Potting mix must be well-drained (you may add perlite to improve drainage characteristics). Never use topsoil or garden soil for potting - the roots will rot in it. Move your plant into a new home (pot) every spring or when plant overgrows the pot. The new pot should be at most 2-3" wider than the old one, up to 3 gallon pot. If the plant got root-bounded (too dense root ball at the bottom), make a few 1/2" deep cuts across the sides of the root ball (4-5 cuts from top to bottom) to encourage new root growth, using a sharp knife. Add more fresh potting mix around the root ball and water well. Place the plant in filtered light for 2-3 days after re-potting.
Light. All plants need lots of light for blooming, and Sambac is not an exception. If you grow it indoors at all times, keep in in a well-lit spot by the window with southern exposure. During warm summer period when temperature is above 50F, it will be a good idea to take your plant outdoors to enjoy sun and fresh air on your balcony or patio. Bright light along with regular fertilization will encourage blooming.
Fertilizer. Be careful not to over-fertilize - it might kill the plant. It's safe to use lower concentration of fertilizer more frequently, than rare application with a strong solution. Granulated slow-release fertilizer is better for pots than water-soluble. The cooler the temperature - the less fertilizer should be applied.
Watering. Jasminum Sambac requires average watering. That means - do not water if the soil is moist. Maid of Orleans prefers to be more on a dry side. During winter months, reduce watering to once a week or even less frequent.
Humidity. Sambacs are tropical plants and they enjoy high humidity (50-80%). However, if growing them in a greenhouse, don't make it too wet for the plant, and make sure to provide a good air circulation at all times.
Problems:
Leaves yellowing = over-watering or over-fertilizing
Leaves' green color pales = under-watering
Leaves dry on edges = under-watering
Buds drop before opening = over-watering
Buds open prematurely = over-watering
Flowers darken = too much heat
No flowers for the whole year = lack of light and/or fertilizer
No new growth for a long time = lack of light and/or fertilizer
Branches become leggy = prune regularly to keep bushy shape or let go to form a vine, providing support
Leaves are too small = lack of food (fertilizer), too much sun
White mold on stems = indicates that you keep plant in dangerously moist conditions, move it in a well-ventilated bright spot to dry.
Other Varieties
Jasminum tortuosum is a vigorous twining vine with snowy star-shaped flowers, and it is everblooming. I find that this one makes a great indoor plant, especially if it is trained around an 18-inch circle, wreath-style. The fragrance is fruity, and the strong waxy green foliage seems bug proof.
Jasminum Polyanthum , also known as pink jasmine or white jasmine, is an evergreen twining climber native to China and Burma. It produces an abundance of reddish-pink flower buds in late winter and early spring, very fragrant indoor flowering plants that white waxy 1” tubular flowers that develop from pink buds. twining, climbing plant with long, slender, trailing stems and is one of the easiest varieties of the Jasmine Plant to grow indoors.
Jasminum Molle (Indian Jui) Delightfully scented flowers emerging in dense clusters will await you in late spring through fall with this enduring grower. Vining by nature, its stems are somewhat ridged. With annual pruning this Australian native can be grown in container with little or no support.
Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrWj8WFLT0M&t=2shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahSE1Q_A1WA&t=5s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D5LVjaiadA&t=192s
https://toptropicals.com/html/toptropicals/articles/shrubs/jasminum_sambac.htm#varieties
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