Jasminum sambac Seeds | Arabian Jasmine
LATIN NAME: Jasminum sambac
COMMON NAME: Arabian Jasmine
Plant Profile
A distinctive member of its genus, Arabian Jasmine (Jasminum sambac) is a slender, twining shrub in the olive family. The Arabian jasmine has been scent of warm nights for a very long time. Slender, twining shrub carries glossy, dark-green leaves and small, white, waxy flowers with deep, sweet fragrance that only grows stronger as evening falls, opening singly or in small clusters through warm season. Plant has a very long record of use in garlands, teas and perfumery of the East, and it remains one of great scented plants of warm garden. All of this makes Arabian Jasmine a satisfying plant to grow and to get to know.
Science & Biotechnology
Arabian jasmine perfumes some of the world’s finest teas — jasmine tea is green tea scented by successive layers of these night-opening blossoms — and its essential oil, rich in benzyl acetate, linalool and indole, remains a pillar of high perfumery. Laboratory studies document calming and antimicrobial effects of the oil, and jasmine-scented tea has shown modest relaxing effects in small human studies. In any frost-free corner or winter windowsill it is among the most generously fragrant plants a gardener can grow.
Botanists studying the olive family regularly include Jasminum sambac in comparative work, and the species also appears in horticultural trials aimed at gardeners and growers. The Arabian jasmine has its own long chapter in plant science, studied for small, white, waxy flowers and deep, sweet evening fragrance. Continuing work by breeders and collectors keeps good seed of this species moving through the trade.
Uses & Benefits
Arabian Jasmine works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. The Arabian jasmine is great scent of warm evenings, with a long record of use. Small, white, waxy flowers have been gathered for garlands, teas and perfumery of the East for a very long time, and fragrance carries across warm garden as night falls. Slender, twining shrub is a fine, generous plant for warm wall, trellis and large container, flowering on and off through the season. In later seasons it demands little more than an appreciative eye.
Jasmine flowers scent the world’s finest green teas and yield one of perfumery’s essential absolutes; the aroma itself is studied for calming, mood-lifting effects.
Growing from Seed
Arabian Jasmine grows readily from seed. Use a loose, well-drained seed compost, sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly, and keep everything evenly moist in bright light. Prick the seedlings out once they are large enough to handle, grow them on in bright light, and plant out when conditions allow.
Our Take
Given the right start, Arabian Jasmine is a long-term garden companion. The only critical period is germination, when the compost must stay evenly moist.
Related Reading
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