Herb. No. 240 · Oleaceae
Tropical jasmine of South and Southeast Asia; a greenhouse and windowsill plant farther north.
Native · South Asia · Southeast Asia
Arabian jasmine
Jasminum sambac
Garden flowersKitchenFlowersHarvest
Waxy night-scented flowers for scenting tea — a pot plant in zone 6b, a hedge where frost is a rumor.
Arabian jasmine is the sampaguita of the Philippines and the flower Chinese tea-makers layer with green tea. The plant is a tropical evergreen. In USDA 6b it lives in a pot that comes in before frost. The flowers open at night, scent the room, and are spent by noon. Do not confuse it with yellow Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens), a different, poisonous vine that shares a common name and nothing else.
Flavor
Night-blooming perfume. Tea holds it better than the fresh flower in a cup.
Parts used
Fresh flower
Helpful
- True perfume
- The tea flower of commerce
- A pot plant you can save
Cautions
- Not hardy in zone 6b without a house
- Gelsemium is a toxic lookalike by common name
- Flowers are brief