Jasmine the Scented Killer

Jasmine has a beautiful scent but it's a killer!

Jasmine has a beautiful, sweet scent, but Chinese Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) is an aggressive invasive climber that smothers native bush and spreads rapidly through underground runners. Not to be confused with Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides).

Chinese Jasmine smothers native bush, prevents forest regeneration, and spreads aggressively via underground runners (rhizomes) and the runners and stems that root wherever they touch soil - frequently creeping under houses, fences, and footpaths to pop up on neighbouring properties as well.

In NZ, a lot of the spread of Chinese Jasmine comes from fragments dumped in green waste. Under New Zealand's Biosecurity Act 1993 and Regional Pest Management Plan - in Auckland and other places it is illegal to share, sell, propagate, or distribute Chinese Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum).

Learn how to spot the difference between the garden-friendly Star Jasmine and the invasive Chinese Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) - and how to treat it safely using Cut'n'Paste weed gels.

Most people are very familiar with the beautiful scent of flowering Jasmine. It is frequently planted for its fragrant blooms, but Chinese Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) does not know when to stop. Once established, it easily escapes gardens to invade native bush, growing up and over established trees and smothering understorey plants. Its tough vines travel under houses, footpaths, and fences via subterranean runners (rhizomes), popping up on neighbouring properties metres away.

Important: Don’t confuse the identity with Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), a popular, non-invasive domestic climber.

Chinese Jasmine (the bad stuff) vs. Star Jasmine (the good stuff)

Feature	Invasive Chinese Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum)	Domestic Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)
Flower Buds	Distinctive pink-to-purplish buds opening into white flowers.	Greenish-white buds; no pink colouring.
Leaves	Compound leaves made of 5 to 7 leaflets along a leaf stem.	Single, glossy, leathery leaves – oval shaped – attached directly to the stem in opposite pairs.
Stem Sap	Clear, watery fluid when stems are broken.	Thick, milky white sap oozes when stems or leaves are cut.
Growth Habit	Aggressive vine forming dense mats and spreading via rhizomes.	Controlled climber or groundcover with a non-invasive root system.

Chinese Jasmine (the bad stuff)

Invasive Chinese Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) large growth in Auckland New Zealand — Invasive Chinese Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum)

close up of leaves of invasive Chinese Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) — Close up of leaves of invasive Chinese Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum)

Close up of pink and white petals from invasive Chinese Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) growing in Wellington, New Zealand — Pink and white petals from invasive Chinese Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum)

A large number of white petals from Chinese Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) growing in North island of New Zealand — Characteristic white petals from Chinese Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) growing wild in North Island of New Zealand

Large infestation of Chinese Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) growing in Hamilton, New Zealand. — Large infestation of Chinese Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) growing in New Zealand South Island.

Flowering Chinese Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) an invasive in NZ – kill it with Bamboo Buster or MetGel

Star Jasmine (the good stuff) – Spot The Difference (check the leaves and petal shape)

Close up of leaves from domestic Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) - the good stuff. — Close up of leaves from domestic Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) – the good stuff.

Close up of petals from domestic Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) - the good stuff. — Close up of petals from domestic Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) – the good stuff.

A wall covered in domestic Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) - the good stuff. — A wall covered in domestic Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) – the good stuff.

An archway formed from domestic Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) - the good stuff. — An archway formed from domestic Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) – the good stuff.

Because Jasmine is often intermingled with desirable trees and garden plants, targeted application using Cut’n’Paste weed gels is the safest and most effective methodology.

Recommended Gel	Best Used For	Notes
Glimax Professional Weed Gel	Precise treatment near ornamental plants	Max – strength glyphosate-based weed killer herbicide; systemic killer with very low soil residue and short life in the weed plant. Caution: Not to be used near waterways or wetlands.
Bamboo Buster Weed Gel	Tough, thick, or woody vine bundles	Double strength glyphosate gel ideal for larger vines and persistent root systems. Also has very low soil residue and short life in the weed plant.
MetGel Weed Gel	Large infestations away from native plants	Highly effective residual gel. Caution: Do not use near desirable plants, as soil run-off can damage nearby roots.

1.Tie the Vines Tightly:Creates a concentrated bundle for gel absorption.

Gather a large group of Jasmine vines together. Tie them tightly in two places close together using string or cable ties. The larger the bunch of vines you bundle, the more gel the root system will absorb.

2.Cut Between the Ties:Exposes fresh sap-conducting vessels.

Using sharp secateurs or a hand saw, make a clean cut directly between the two ties.

3.Apply Cut’n’Paste Gel to BOTH Cut Ends:Apply within 15 seconds for optimal absorption.

Apply a generous layer of Glimax or Bamboo Buster to BOTH cut surfaces. Because Jasmine stems intertwine complexly, treating both ends ensures the gel reaches the main root system regardless of which side is rooted.

4.Monitor and Re-treat:Signs of die-off appear in 1 to 2 weeks.

Observe the area after 2 to 3 weeks. Follow-up spot applications may be needed on emerging shoots until the underground rhizomes are fully exhausted.

Important Notes:

⚠️ Safety Warning: MetGel and Picloram / Picloram Plus+ have significantly more residual soil activity than the glyphosate gels, and can move through ground moisture. MetGel has a soil half-life of roughly 30–90 days, and Picloram roughly 2–6 months, perhaps longer in clay soils. Do not use either near desirable non-target plants, within the root zone of prized trees, or around waterways and wetlands.
When using MetGel or Picloram, never apply it inside the drip line (canopy edge) of prized trees or broadleaf garden plants. On flat ground, keep a 3 to 5-metre safety buffer. On sloping ground where the weed is uphill from desirable species, extend that buffer to 5 to 10 metres.
Weeds often grow along streams and in gullies. If you’re working near waterways, use Bamboo Buster. Do not allow any weed gel to enter the water.
Only treat weeds / target plants / trees that are on your property, or that you have permission to treat. Be aware that some species might have protection status or have a notable status, or be a designated scheduled tree under the district plan – if in doubt, check with your local council.
Safety First: Wear gloves and protective clothing and observe all safety protocols, especially when using machinery, chainsaws and other tools.
When using any herbicide ensure you READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY, and follow all instructions and directions for the purchase, use and storage of the product.
If in doubt, seek professional advice.

Persistence: You will need to persist until all vines are dead. Jasmine can regrow rapidly from even small pieces of untreated stem or rhizome.
Root Spread: Rhizomes and underground shoots can travel many metres from where you are treating, spreading completely under buildings or footpaths.
Potting Jasmine: If you really want to keep Chinese Jasmine for its scent, keep it safely restricted in a large pot or container set on a concrete patio where it cannot touch soil or escape into the ground.
Other Vine-Like Weeds: This bundling and cut-and-paste method also works effectively for other invasive vines, including Japanese Honeysuckle, Black-Eyed Susan, and Blue Morning Glory.
Safe Disposal: Do not leave cut stems lying on bare soil, as they can root and re-establish. Hang cut stems up off the ground in a tree fork to dry out, or bag them for disposal.

If you really want to keep Jasmine buy the non invasive type or keep it in a large pot on a patio or somewhere where it cannot escape. This approach can work for other vine like weeds like Japanese honeysuckle and Black Eyed Susie and Blue Morning Glory.