Often confused for jasmine because of its fluted white flowers and strong scent, Stephanotis is in fact its own genus. We don’t blame you for the confusion! And to be honest, the two plants are as attractive as each other. Naomi is a climbing plant that gets the common name ‘Bridal Wreath’ because as a houseplant, she’s often sold climbing over a looped frame. Her pure white waxy flowers hang in clusters like bells amongst dark evergreen leaves, and well, she would look quite stunning as a table decoration at a wedding.
While in warmer countries like Madagascar (clue’s in the name), Stephanotis can grow outside quite happily, twining over fenceposts and railings, romping away up to eight metres, in the UK it is sold as a houseplant because it’s not happy in temperatures lower than ten degrees. This does mean you can pop your plant outside over the summer months, letting it soak up sun and rain, but don’t forget to bring it in again as the nights get cooler.
Because it’s quite a hungry plant and a vigorous grower, we recommend feeding your waxflower regularly with liquid plant food throughout the growing season, repotting it into fresh compost or a larger pot every couple of years, and if you want to keep its growth in check because it’s getting a bit wild for your liking, then giving the new tendril-like growth a snip. If you’re into that wild look then you may wish to train this climbing plant beyond the frame it comes attached to. Eventually it will twine itself around whatever frame you give it, and could create quite the showstopping spectacle.
To promote flowering year after year the trick with this plant is to mimic its natural growing conditions: warm, wet summers and cool dry winters.
Did you know?
The scent of Stephanotis is used in aromatherapy. It is said to promote relaxation and to lift the spirits by triggering the release of endorphins.
