Jasmine is often used in perfumes and other toiletries.
Jasmine features small, white flowers clustered among ovoid, glossy green leaves. It is native to warm, tropical climates. However, this doesn't mean gardeners in cooler climates can't appreciate its lovely, tiny blossom and sweet fragrance. Not only can you grow jasmine in container gardens, you can harvest its blossoms to make homemade perfume and fragrant tea. Jasmine houseplants also give your home a clean, fresh scent.
Planting Jasmine Seeds
Mix equal parts sand and rich potting soil for your jasmine seeds. Terracotta works best because it allows moisture to evaporate from the soil, preventing mold and root rot. The sand in the soil will help the soil drain. Sow jasmine seeds about 1 inch deep in the soil by pressing them down with your thumb. Plant up to four seeds in a 5-gallon container and space them about 4 inches away from each other in a square pattern. Water until it trickles out of the planter's drain hole and into the flood tray. Empty the flood tray immediately.
Jasmine Care
Place your seeded planter in an area with bright, filtered light and temperatures that don't dip below about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Water your jasmine when the top of the soil feels dry to the touch; jasmine won't grow in waterlogged soil. When your jasmine grows about 4 inches tall, fill a flood tray with river rocks and water to create a moist atmosphere around the plant. Turn the temperature down to about 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooler temperatures ensure that your jasmine plant will flower.
Jasmine Tea
According to Natural Home Remedies, jasmine tea calms frayed nerves and may lower cholesterol levels. Tea-drinkers also often enjoy its sweet fragrance and slightly astringent flavor. Harvest jasmine flowers during the day after they open completely. Layer the flowers between dried green tea leaves. The scent and oils of the jasmine will permeate the green tea leaves. When the flowers are dry and crumbly, add about 1 tsp. of the mix to 8 oz. of boiling hot water. Let it steep for 5 minutes and enjoy.
Jasmine Perfume
Jasmine is often used to complement other scents in commercial perfumes and toiletries. On its own, the scent has a calming, and sometimes aphrodisiac, effect. Create your own jasmine perfume with shortening and rubbing alcohol. Cover two cardboard squares with aluminum foil and a ¼-inch-thick layer of vegetable shortening. Sandwich fresh jasmine flowers between the layers of shortening for about 24 hours. Change the flowers to fresh ones every day for a week before melting the perfumed shortening in a double boiler. Add 2 tbsp. of rubbing alcohol to the melted shortening and pour the mix into a perfume pot. Let the perfume harden before using.
