Plant of the Month – January 2025
Madagascar Jasmine
Stephanotis floribunda
With the New Year signaling fresh beginnings, Stephanotis floribunda, the Madagascar Jasmine, mirrors the season with its vibrant blooms and uplifting fragrance. Its snowy white, star-shaped flowers make this evergreen vine a popular addition to wedding bouquets, earning it the nickname “bridal wreath.” The vine is native to the tropical rainforests of Madagascar, stretching its beauty high into tree canopies using its tendrils. While it thrives outdoors in our South Florida climate, those in cooler regions can enjoy its charm indoors as a houseplant. For successful growth, this vine requires bright, indirect light, consistent watering, and warmer temperatures. When pollinated, Madagascar Jasmine develops large, egg-shaped fruits that hold seeds, equipped with hairy parachutes for wind dispersal after the woody pod splits open.
Growing at a moderate rate of several feet per year, Madagascar Jasmine reaches heights of 10-20 feet with proper support and a spread of 4-5 feet. This vine is easy to maintain and perfect for creating privacy screens or softening garden structures. Its twining stems elegantly climb trellises, fences, or arbors, creating lush, green backdrops for the clusters of creamy blooms. These flowers appear from late spring through summer, filling gardens with a deep jasmine-vanilla scent that amplifies in the evenings. Locally, Madagascar Jasmine can be found at select nurseries such as Gardino Nursery in Loxahatchee Groves and Runway Growers in Fort Lauderdale. Be sure to tag our social media accounts @cotleurhearing and let us know where you plant your Madagascar Jasmine!
Written by: Gabriella Gilliam, Landscape Designer