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Crape jasmine

Tabernaemontana divaricata

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Crape jasmine · Tabernaemontana divaricata

White pinwheel flowers with a light fragrance toward evening.

Care and placement

Likes full sun to part shade (about 5–6 hours of sun for good flowering), slightly acidic well-drained soil and regular watering; prune after flowering; the white latex contains alkaloids.

Draft mature dimensions

Maximum height (cm): 200 cm · Maximum spread (cm): 150 cm

Things to consider

Broken stems ooze milky latex; the plant contains over 66 alkaloids (Wikipedia) and has no official toxicity rating for dogs and cats — treat it as poisonous: wear gloves when pruning, wash hands, keep sap off eyes and skin; keep from children and pets; do not eat or self-medicate with it. It is not a true jasmine.

Unknown evidence does not mean safe. Decorative plants are not automatically edible.

Information is compiled from multiple reputable sources for reference. If you spot an error, please contact us so we can check and update it.

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How to grow and care for it

  1. Planting and pot

    Plant in sun or part shade in slightly acidic, humus-rich, well-drained soil; use a large pot with drainage holes. It can be trained as a bonsai or small standard by pruning low branches.

  2. Light

    Full sun to part shade; plants are more compact in sun; afternoon shade helps in hot places. At least about 5–6 hours of direct sun for good flowering.

  3. Watering

    Needs regular watering, especially in dry spells and for pots; fairly drought-tolerant once established but still needs good drainage. Yellow leaves with green veins suggest soil that is too alkaline (iron deficiency).

  4. Feeding

    Balanced 10-10-10 every 4–6 weeks in the growing season (other sources: monthly or every 3–4 months); add organic matter or chelated iron if leaves yellow.

  5. Pruning

    Prune lightly after flowering to keep form; sterilise tools; remove lower branches to make a small standard. Wear gloves and keep the latex off skin and eyes.

  6. Propagation

    Semi-hardwood stem cuttings in a sand and peat mix kept humid; air layering or seed also work. Wear gloves because of the latex.

  7. Pests and common problems

    Aphids, mealybugs, spider mites and scale: monitor regularly, keep the plant healthy and use insecticidal soap or oil. Yellow leaves with green veins come from alkaline soil.

  8. For more flowers

    For plentiful scented white flowers: enough sun, slightly acidic soil, even watering, scheduled feeding and light pruning after each flush. The white pinwheel flowers bloom in several flushes a year in warm places.