Jasmine
Maid of Orleans
Jasminum sambac 'Maid of Orleans'
The lei jasmine — single-petaled, pristine white, and endlessly reblooming. A clean, true jasmine that smells the way jasmine is supposed to.
Scent Profile
What it smells like
Perfume unfolds in three movements. Close your eyes and follow the scent from first breath to the trace it leaves behind.
Top note
Bright, clean white-flower sweetness — crisp and lifted, never heavy.
Heart note
A pure, rounded jasmine with a soft green tea undertone, like cool skin after a warm rain.
Base note
A gentle, powdery musk that fades slowly, leaving the room faintly perfumed.
Care
How it grows
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Water freely during dry summer weather, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings; avoid soggy soil
- Bloom season
- Nearly year-round in mild climates
- Mature size
- 2–4 ft, easily pruned
- Hardiness
- Zones 9–11
Care notes
Tending this plant
Soil
Rich, well-draining loamy soil, slightly acidic (pH 6.0–6.5) is ideal. Add a layer of mulch around the base during the growing season to help retain moisture.
Feeding
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the active spring and summer growing season. Stop or reduce feeding entirely during the slow winter months.
Pruning
Trim after each flowering cycle to keep the plant compact and encourage a bushier shape. Cut back hard in late winter to refresh an older plant; lightly tip-prune through the season for dense bloom.
Winter care
Grow outdoors year-round only in USDA Zones 9–11 (Zone 8 with heavy winter protection). Bring indoors if temperatures drop below freezing. A tropical plant that prefers warm roots — keep it in a warm room and protect it from cold drafts and air conditioning vents. Indoors, place near a bright south- or west-facing window — it needs at least 4–6 hours of direct sun daily to produce its fragrant white blooms. Mist occasionally to offset dry indoor air.
Container growing
An outstanding container plant indoors or out. A 10–14 inch pot holds a happy shrub for years; ensure drainage holes and never let the saucer stand in water. Water when the top layer of soil feels dry, allowing it to dry slightly between sessions.
Where it grows
A California story
The classic pikake of Hawaiian leis, thriving in California's warm Tri-Valley where humidity and warmth mirror its island home. Single, perfect white blooms open in waves through the year.
