Night-blooming jasmine.

De un vistazo

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Shrub

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

bright-indirect

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

Up to 10 ft tall and 6 ft wide

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 9 to 11

Bloom time

Summer to fall

Cuidados

Provide bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, keeping it consistently moist but not waterlogged. Pruning helps maintain shape and encourage flowering. Watch out for common pests like aphids and spider mites.

Watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, reduce watering slightly in cooler months.

Feeding

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.

Pruning

Prune annually after flowering to shape and encourage more blooms. Remove any dead or leggy growth.

Repotting

Repot every 1-2 years in spring when rootbound, using a slightly larger container.

Soil

Well-draining, fertile potting mix

Soil pH

Slightly acidic to neutral (5.5-7.0)

Temperature

16 to 27°C

Humidity

40 to 60%

Seguridad

People

All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Pets

This plant is toxic to pets if ingested, causing symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.

Children

Keep out of reach of children as ingestion can cause significant gastrointestinal distress.

Contact allergens

The sap may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The strong fragrance, while pleasant to some, can be overwhelming and may cause headaches or trigger allergies in others.

Edibility

This plant is toxic if ingested.

Cómo identificarla

• Glistening green leaves
• Clusters of small, tubular white flowers
• Flowers open at dusk
• Intensely sweet nighttime fragrance
• Berries follow flowering

Height

1.8 to 3m

Spread

0.9 to 1.8m

Leaves

green, evergreen

Flowers

white, cream, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

white, green, black, Late summer to fall

Problemas frecuentes

• Aphids — Small, pear-shaped insects that feed on plant sap, causing yellowing leaves and stunted growth.
• Spider Mites — Tiny arachnids that produce fine webbing and cause stippling on leaves due to their feeding.
• Root Rot — A fungal disease favored by overwatering, leading to wilting and yellowing of leaves.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagation

Cuttings, Seed

When to plant

Spring, Summer

Plant Cestrum nocturnum where its evening fragrance can be best enjoyed, perhaps near a patio or bedroom window, ensuring it's not accessible to curious children or pets.

Buenas compañeras

• Lantana — Lantana attracts pollinators and provides continuous blooms, complementing the night-scented flowers of Cestrum nocturnum.
• Angelonia — Angelonia offers upright spikes of flowers and tolerates similar conditions, creating a varied texture in the garden.
• Salvia (Ornamental varieties) — Many ornamental salvias provide bright colors during the day, offering a contrast to the night fragrance of Cestrum nocturnum.

Mantenla lejos de

• Oleander — Both plants are highly toxic and can pose a risk if ingested by pets or children.
• Castor Bean — Both are toxic and could be mistaken for less harmful plants, increasing accidental ingestion risks.

Especies parecidas

• Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow — Other species in the Solanaceae family, some also known for their fragrance, though typically blooming during the day.
• Night-blooming Jasmine — While not a Cestrum, it shares the characteristic of powerful nocturnal fragrance.

Ciencia

Family

Solanaceae

Genus

Cestrum

Order

Solanales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

South America (Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia)

Conservation

Not of conservation concern.

In its native habitat, it thrives in disturbed areas and forest edges, often growing in well-drained soils.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

moths, butterflies

Uses

ornamental

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

When does Cestrum nocturnum bloom?

It typically blooms during the warmer months, often from late spring through fall.

What are the light requirements?

It prefers full sun to partial shade.

How often should I water it?

Water regularly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings; avoid waterlogged conditions.

Is it suitable for container gardening?

Yes, it can be grown successfully in containers.

Can it tolerate frost?

It is sensitive to frost and is typically grown as an annual in colder climates or overwintered indoors.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus name 'Cestrum' comes from the Greek word 'kesztros' or 'kestron', possibly referring to a type of javelin or staff, though its connection to this plant is unclear. The specific epithet 'nocturnum' is Latin for 'nocturnal', referring to its night-blooming and night-scented nature.

Bueno saberlo

• Also known as 'Night-scented cestrum' or 'Lady of the Night'.
• Its flowers are typically white or greenish-white.
• It's a member of the nightshade family (Solanaceae).
• The scent is so potent it can be detected from a distance.