Jasmine (Climbing)

Jasminum officinale · Oleaceae (olive family)

📁 Climbers & Creepers 🌍 Southwest Asia ☀️ Tropical/Sub-tropical 🌱 Growth: Moderate
Jasmine (Climbing) (Jasminum officinale)

Photo: Acabashi / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Jasmine (Climbing) (Jasminum officinale): Fragrant climbing jasmine cherished for aromatherapy, stress relief, and skin care benefits.

🔍 Quick Facts

Common nameJasmine (Climbing)
Other namesChameli (Hindi — mainly for J. grandiflorum); Poet's jasmine, Common jasmine
Scientific nameJasminum officinale
Plant familyOleaceae (olive family)
SizeTwining climber, 3–10 m
Native regionSouthwest Asia
ClimateTropical/Sub-tropical
Ease of growingModerate
Parts usedFlowers, Leaves, Oil

About Jasmine

Common or poet's jasmine (Jasminum officinale) is a vigorous climber with clusters of white star-shaped flowers. It is a temperate cousin of India's mogra and chameli and is grown more in the hills than the plains. Its essential oil, along with that of Jasminum grandiflorum, is one of the most expensive in perfumery — it takes thousands of flowers to make a few millilitres.

Botanically known as Jasminum officinale, it belongs to the Oleaceae family. It is native to Southwest Asia and grows best in a tropical/sub-tropical climate. The parts most often used are the flowers, leaves and oil.

Traditional & Ayurvedic Uses

Jasmine is best known for:

  • Aromatherapy
  • Stress relief
  • Skin care
  • Hair oil
  • Anxiety relief

Most of these uses come from Ayurveda and folk medicine. Where we know of good clinical evidence, or of a specific safety concern, we say so in the overview, precautions and FAQs on this page.

How Jasmine Is Used

  • Flowers are used in perfumery, garlands and hair adornment.
  • Jasmine-infused oil is used in aromatherapy massage.
  • Flowers scent jasmine tea in some traditions.
⚠️ Note: For educational purposes only. Talk to a qualified doctor or Ayurvedic practitioner before using any plant medicinally, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication.

How to Grow Jasmine

☀️ SunlightFull sun to partial shade.
💧 WateringRegular watering; reduce in winter.
🪴 SoilFertile, well-drained soil.
🌱 PropagationSemi-hardwood cuttings or layering.
📅 When to plant (India)Plant February–March. Flowers in summer.
🏡 In pots / at homeGrows in a 14-inch pot with a trellis; best suited to cooler climates.

Precautions & Safety

  • Jasmine absolute can cause skin sensitisation — always dilute.
  • Do not confuse with "yellow jasmine" (Gelsemium), which is highly poisonous.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mogra is Jasminum sambac, a bushy plant with round, very fragrant flowers. Chameli is usually Jasminum grandiflorum, a climber with larger star-shaped flowers. Poet's jasmine (J. officinale) is a related climber.
J. sambac (mogra) does best in the plains. J. officinale prefers cooler weather and grows best in the hills.

Written by the WhyOnPlanet editorial team · Last updated October 2026