Sweet osmanthus is a plant that belongs to the olive family. It is native to Asia and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. The plant is known for its sweet-smelling flowers, which are used to make tea, perfume, and other products.
Related plant:
Sweet Almond Bush
Related plant:
Sweet Pea Shrub
About soil condition, osmanthus is not too fussy and grows well in a variety of soils as long as it is well-drained. Loamy soils with plenty of organic matter are ideal, but it will also tolerate sandy soils. It is not drought tolerant, however, and will not do well in sites that are too dry or that have poorly drained soils.
Not too different with other flowering plants, osmanthus blossoms need sun to produce nectar. The sun provides the energy for the plant to create food for itself and for the pollinating insects that visit the flowers. Bees and butterflies are especially attracted to the sweet nectar of the osmanthus.
The temperature condition that is best for sweet osmanthus is between 68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant will do best if the temperature is not allowed to go below 68 degrees for extended periods of time. If the temperature does drop below 68 degrees, the leaves of the plant will start to turn yellow and fall off.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50-60%. The plant should be watered when the top inch of potting mix is dry. Allow the plant to drain thoroughly before placing it back in its saucer. Water with tepid water to avoid leaf drop.
About fertilizer, this plant is not fussy. A good, all-purpose fertilizer will work just fine. Just be sure to fertilize regularly during the growing season, from spring through summer. As for the roots, they're tough and can handle a bit of neglect. Just be sure not to overwater and you should be fine.
Pruning is an important part of keeping your sweet osmanthus plant healthy and vigorous. Sweet osmanthus is a fast-growing plant, and pruning helps to control its size and shape. Pruning also encourages new growth and flowers. The best time to prune sweet osmanthus is in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins.
Propagation of sweet osmanthus is best done through rooting of semi-ripe cuttings taken in late summer or early fall. The cuttings should be taken from new growth and should be about 6 inches long. Cuttings should be made just below a node and the bottom leaves should be removed. The cutting should then be placed in a rooting media such as perlite or vermiculite. The rooting media should be kept moist but not wet and the cutting should be placed in a humid environment such as a greenhouse. Rooting will usually occur within 6-8 weeks.
Usually, the plant growth rate is around 6 to 12 inches each year. However, some species have been known to grow up to 24 inches in a year. Osmanthus fragrans, the most common sweet osmanthus species, typically reaches a height of 15 feet and a width of 10 feet.
Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, rust, and leaf spot. These can be controlled with fungicides. However, if the problem is severe, you may need to prune the plant to improve air circulation.
Source:
Osmanthus fragrans Sweet Osmanthus - University of Florida
Osmanthus fragrans (Sweet Osmanthus, fragrant Tea olive)
Osmanthus fragrans Cai Ye Gui, A Variegated Cultivar