Pruning jasmine in late summer will ensure your plants bloom better than ever next year
Timing is critical when pruning summer-flowering climbers


Jasmine has long been celebrated for its intense and intoxicating aroma which, I think, is one of the ultimate flower garden scents. The utility of this fragrance was not lost on the Ancient Egyptians, who used the blooms to perfume bath water, or in ancient China, where the petals were used to add flavor to black tea. Even today, after thousands of years of use, it remains a scent of significance, with many food, drink and hygiene products enhanced by jasmine oil.
While I cannot claim to have mastered the art of essential oil extraction, enjoying the fragrance of climbing jasmine in garden borders and pot displays is good enough for me. I have grown different varieties of jasmine in gardens where I have worked across England and Wales, including pink jasmine, Jasminum polyanthum, and common jasmine, Jasminum officinale, both of which have remarkable fragrances.
Whether you grow jasmine in pots or the ground, caring for jasmine is relatively simple, but one important job to get right is pruning. Timing is critical, and pruning at the wrong time can damage your plant and reduce flowering the following year. Here, a gardening expert shares all the information you need to learn how to prune jasmine correctly.
How to prune jasmine climbers
Jasmine is often considered one of the best climbing plants, renowned for its long-lasting foliage and floral display. To ensure that your climbers continue to grow and produce as many flowers as possible, pruning at the right time is essential.
This attractive jasmine comes in a starter-size pot, ideal for growing in either a pot or your borders. With green, glossy foliage, this fragrant vine is sure to steal the show.
When to prune jasmine
'Jasmine plants are known for their moderate to fast growth rate, averaging about 12 to 24 inches of new growth each year,' says Mike Murphy, garden expert and owner at You Had Me At Gardening.
'Pruning should be done after the main flowering period in late summer to control size and shape, and to encourage bushy lateral growth,' Mike adds. 'By August and September, you will see many long, whip-like stems that can appear slightly messy. At this point, it is time to tidy your climber.'
When growing jasmine, remember that flowers bloom on the previous year's growth, so pruning in late summer gives your climber enough time to produce new stems that will harden off before winter. Future flowers will bloom on these stems that grow in late summer and early fall, so getting the timing right is vital.
The exact timing will depend on your local climate. For example, in northern regions, such as US hardiness zone 5, this will typically be in August, whereas in southern regions, such as US hardiness zone 9, this could be September or even October.

Mike is the owner of You Had Me At Gardening. He grew up gardening with his parents and grandparents. He enjoys his backyard orchard of dwarf fruit trees, raspberry and blackberry patches, and raised garden boxes. In addition to his perennials, Mike enjoys sprouting new fruit and vegetable seeds every spring.
Felco makes the best pruners in the the world, and these are no exception. Constructed from forged aluminum handles and hardened steel blades, these pruners are ideal for all your pruning jobs in the yard.
How to prune jasmine
To begin with, take a step back and inspect the shape of your jasmine. It is always best to prune with intention, so decide the desired shape and scale for your jasmine before you reach for the pruners.
'Firstly, remove dead or damaged stems,' Mike continues, 'which will help to maintain a healthy plant with a natural form.' It is then a good idea to 'prune long stems down to a few feet, cutting just above a leaf node.'
In some instances, you might want your jasmine to climb up high, but if you are like me and prefer to be able to smell jasmine at ground level, keeping it growing lower down is optimal. If you grow your jasmine along a fence or garden wall, prune your jasmine so that it is contained and compact. You do not have to worry about cutting back too hard, so long as you prune above a leaf node, you will see fresh new shoots in the coming weeks.
'After pruning, it is a good idea to support your climbing plants,' Mike continues. 'These vines will benefit from support, so installing a trellis or wire framework against the wall or structure is recommended if you have not already got one.
'As your plant grows over the late summer period, gently tie new growth to provide support using soft ties. Avoid tying too tightly to allow for natural movement and prevent damage to the stems.' Reusable plant ties are available from Amazon.
FAQs
Is it a good idea to fertilize jasmine plants after pruning?
If you have been feeding your plants during spring and summer, they should have all the nutrients and goodness they need to produce new growth. I would not recommend fertilizing jasmine once you have pruned in the latter months of the growing season. It is best to wait and feed your plants the following spring.
Pruning your jasmine plants during late summer will help them produce a bounty of star-like, aromatic blooms next year. For more scented plant inspiration, see our guide on how to grow winter jasmine, for a fragrant plant that will add impact to your yard during the cold months of the year.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.

Thomas is a Content Editor within the Gardens Team at Homes and Gardens. He has worked as a professional gardener for both public spaces and private estates, specializing in productive gardening, growing food and flowers. Trained in Horticulture at the Garden Museum, he has written on gardening and garden history for various publications, including The English Garden, Gardens Illustrated, Hortus, The London Gardener and Bloom. He has co-authored a Lonely Planet travel book, The Tree Atlas, due out in 2024.
-
Jeremiah Brent's new NYC-inspired rug collection has got to be the easiest way to bring his modern Manhattan style into your own home
Jeremiah Brent has teamed up with Loloi Rugs to create a contemporary collection of home furnishings inspired by his city
By Eleanor Richardson
-
I tried this one easy dishwasher trick and made the annoying need for manual drying a thing of the past
If you hate those little pools of water left on your cups and crockery, this towel trick is for you
By Punteha van Terheyden
-
How to grow Virginia creeper – it may divide opinion, but this fast-growing, shade-tolerant vine will cover walls and fences in record time
If you are looking for spectacular fall color, Virginia creeper is the climbing plant to grow
By Thomas Rutter
-
Best plants for a chicken run – 7 fragrant and floral plants for happy hens and beautiful coops
Your chicken run can be every bit as beautiful as your own garden, so long as you do your research first
By Kayleigh Dray
-
How to grow lupine – expert advice on growing this dramatic and vibrant cottage garden flower
Vibrantly colored flower stalks make swathes of lupines a sight to see in meadows and cut flower gardens alike
By Ellen Wells
-
How to grow tree peonies in pots – for a show-stopping shrub that will thrive in partially shaded yards
With large, saucer-like blooms, tree peonies are the ultimate flowering shrub
By Thomas Rutter
-
Can you revive woody rosemary plants? Expert pruning advice from a professional gardener to save old, leggy herbs
With the right pruning approach, old and woody rosemary plants can be brought back to life
By Thomas Rutter
-
Your hydrangeas will flourish with bigger blooms and healthier growth thanks to this 1 natural material that is easy to use
Discover why you should be using leaf mold to mulch hydrangeas
By Drew Swainston
-
5 fast-growing tiny flowers – expert recommendations to fill your pots and borders with color in record time
These fast-growing tiny flowers prove that miniature can also be marvelous
By Thomas Rutter
-
How to grow sassafras – for a low-maintenance native tree that can even be planted in shady yards
For an easy-to-grow North American tree, you will not find much better than sassafras
By Thomas Rutter