Helping stephanotis leaf from bottom - Ask Extension
I received my potted stephanotis 12 years ago as a gift; it was trained into a wreath shape. I had no idea how to train it and it became immense and u...
Knowledgebase
Helping stephanotis leaf from bottom #891453
Asked January 10, 2025, 7:13 AM EST
I received my potted stephanotis 12 years ago as a gift; it was trained into a wreath shape. I had no idea how to train it and it became immense and unruly. Last year I cut it back and started training it up a 4 foot tall obelisk. It put out new growth on the top half of the vine but nothing on the bottom, so I trimmed the top growth again. Now (1/10/25) it is starting to get growth tips again on the top half of the vine but no new growth on the bottom where the stems are a little woody. ***Is there a way to coax it to put forth some new growth at the bottom of the plant?*** I'd like to help it be fuller, especially on the bottom.
Wake County North Carolina
Expert Response
Hello!
To encourage a Stephanotis floribunda to grow leaves on the lower part of the vine, provide adequate light on the lower vine, maintain consistent humidity and prune regularly by pinching back any new growth at the base of the plant. From your message I assume you have not pruned the base of the plant yet. Right? You can also cut the main stems by half their size which may help to encourage growth all over. Please note to not prune the plant until late winter or early spring. Then see how it does until the following winter.
This should encourage the vine to reach out and produce foliage along its entire length.
Also, this is not unusual and may be a part of how the plant grows. If you try pruning the new growth at the base and it still doesn't fill in let us know and we can revisit what to do.
Thank you for reaching out and please let us know if you have any other questions.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stephanotis-floribunda/
To encourage a Stephanotis floribunda to grow leaves on the lower part of the vine, provide adequate light on the lower vine, maintain consistent humidity and prune regularly by pinching back any new growth at the base of the plant. From your message I assume you have not pruned the base of the plant yet. Right? You can also cut the main stems by half their size which may help to encourage growth all over. Please note to not prune the plant until late winter or early spring. Then see how it does until the following winter.
This should encourage the vine to reach out and produce foliage along its entire length.
Also, this is not unusual and may be a part of how the plant grows. If you try pruning the new growth at the base and it still doesn't fill in let us know and we can revisit what to do.
Thank you for reaching out and please let us know if you have any other questions.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stephanotis-floribunda/
