Can jasmine survive winter? Yes, some types handle hard frost and snow with no damage at all. Others will die at the first freeze if you leave them outside. Your success depends on which species you grow and how cold your area gets.
When I first tried to overwinter jasmine, I kept five types in my garden. My winter jasmine made it through a week of temps below -20°C (-4°F) like it was nothing. My Arabian jasmine was a different story. It needed to come inside by mid-October or the leaves turned brown and fell off within days.
The toughest cold-hardy jasmine is winter jasmine. It handles USDA zone 6 cold, which means lows down to -30°C (-23°F). Arabian jasmine sits at the other end and needs zone 9 warmth. It can't take anything below -6°C (20°F) for more than a few hours.
Good jasmine frost protection starts with your roots. Spread 3 to 4 inches (7 to 10 cm) of straw or bark mulch around the base before the first hard frost. This layer keeps soil temps stable. It stops the freeze-thaw cycles that crack roots apart. Pull the mulch back a couple of inches from the main stem so you don't trap moisture against the bark.
In my experience, fleece is your best friend for above-ground care. Wrap your jasmine with garden fleece on nights when the forecast drops below your type's cold limit. Fleece lets air and light through while holding warmth close to the plant. I keep several sheets in my garden shed from November through March. They have saved more than one of my jasmine plants from late spring frosts.
If you grow your jasmine in pots, you have the most control over winter care. Move your pots into a cool bright room once night temps get near freezing. Keep that room between 5°C and 10°C (41°F to 50°F) for the best results. Water very little through the winter months since your plant's growth slows way down. Wet roots rot fast in cold soil.
Come spring, move your jasmine back outside after the last frost date. You will see fresh new growth pop up within a couple of weeks. With the right species and some simple winter prep, your jasmine will come back strong year after year. Don't be afraid of cold weather. Just match your plant to your zone and give it a bit of help when frost hits.
Read the full article: Jasmine Flower Types, Care and Uses
