How to care for madagascar jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda)

Stephanotis floribunda · waxflower, bride's flower, Hawaiian wedding flower

Madagascar Jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda) — evergreen twining climber from Madagascar, of the dogbane family and not a true jasmine, with glossy, leathery leaves and clusters of waxy, intensely fragrant white tubular flowers about 5 cm long from spring to autumn. Indoors it needs a trellis or other support. Madagascar Jasmine needs full sun and 20–32 °C. Water it about every 4 days while it grows and about every 14 days in the winter rest.

Checked against sources: November 5, 2026

Watering and repotting madagascar jasmine through the year

It lives indoors all year, so it has no sowing or planting dates: it grows from March to September and rests from October to February (the other way round in the southern hemisphere).

Repot it about every 36 months.

When to plant madagascar jasmine?

Plant or repot madagascar jasmine in spring, as it starts into growth; early to midsummer also works. It is a houseplant, so it has no outdoor planting date and no frost decides it: just avoid autumn and winter, when growth slows and fresh compost stays wet too long. After that, move it to a slightly larger pot about every three years, or sooner once roots circle the pot or grow through the drainage holes.

Watering in the growing and resting halves of the year: Watering and repotting madagascar jasmine through the year.

Sources: RHS: How to repot a plant · Penn State Extension: Repotting houseplants

Quick facts

Type	Houseplant
Latin name	Stephanotis floribunda
Family	Apocynaceae
Also called	waxflower, bride's flower, Hawaiian wedding flower
Light	Full sun
Frost	does not tolerate frost
Repotting	every 36 months
Grown in	At home

Where does madagascar jasmine grow?

537 records of the plant in gardens, fields and the wild worldwide; most photos come from Madagascar, United States, Pakistan, French Polynesia, and New Caledonia.

World map: where madagascar jasmine has been recorded — Darker green means more records. Photos are real observations from those countries — tap one to see it. Map and records: GBIF.org (2026-10-28), © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap. Photo: Kevin Faccenda (CC BY / CC0).

Madagascar Jasmine, United States — Darker green means more records. Photos are real observations from those countries — tap one to see it. Map and records: GBIF.org (2026-10-28), © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap. Photo: Kevin Faccenda (CC BY / CC0).

Madagascar Jasmine care by growth stage

At home

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 4 days	20…32 °C	balanced (NPK), 14 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 35 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 56 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 77 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 98 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 119 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 140 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 161 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 182 days into the stage
Winter rest	every 14 days	—	—

Growing notes

Light

Full light with shade from hot midday sun under glass; it can thrive for years on a sunny windowsill. Move it into stronger sun gradually, because sudden full sun blisters and scorches the leaves. In summer it can go outdoors or into a greenhouse.

Soil

A loam-rich potting mix with plenty of drainage material such as perlite or coarse sand. It does best slightly root-bound, so repot only every two to three years; too much water rots the roots.

Care

In spring and summer water freely, mist the leaves and keep the air humid, and feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser every two to three weeks; it grows best at 20–32 °C. In winter, when growth slows, keep it cool, bright and on the dry side, watering sparingly, but always above 10 °C, until warmer weather returns. Tie the twining stems to a support and in spring shorten the main shoots by half, but avoid cutting back hard. Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer with bottom heat, or by seed sown at 18–21 °C in spring. Watch for scale insects, red spider mite, mealybugs and root mealybug. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses.

Pests and diseases of Madagascar Jasmine

2 problems are recorded for madagascar jasmine; each has a page with symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Pests

Other plants of the Apocynaceae family

Madagascar Jasmine belongs to Apocynaceae; 2 other plants of this family have a guide here.

Plant lists it is in

What to grow on a windowsill or balcony

Part of: Houseplants · Houseplants safe for cats and dogs · Flowering houseplants · Houseplants for a sunny window

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.