Why is my plant not blooming?

It likely needs more direct sunlight during the day to fuel its nighttime flower production.

Can I grow it indoors?

It is difficult indoors due to its size and the overwhelming strength of the fragrance.

Plant guide

Night blooming jasmine.

Cestrum nocturnum

Pronounced SES-trum nok-TUR-num

Also known as Night jessamine, Night-blooming Cestrum, Night-blooming jasmine, Night-blooming cestrum, lady-of-the-night, night cestrum, night flowering jessamine, night jasmine, night-jessamine

night jessamine — Photo by Robert Guralnick (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This shrub is famous for the intensely sweet fragrance its flowers release after dark. It is a fast grower that loves warmth and plenty of sunshine. You will find it makes a wonderful addition to a patio or garden where you spend time in the evenings.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Evergreen shrub
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 8 to 12 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 8 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Watch for yellowing leaves as a sign of overwatering or poor drainage. Prune the plant back after flowering to encourage a bushier shape and more blooms next season.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long stems after the blooming cycle to maintain size.
Repotting: Repot in the spring if the plant becomes root bound.
Soil: Well draining, fertile potting mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 5 to 35°C
Humidity: 50 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: Ingestion of any plant part can cause severe stomach distress, rapid heartbeat, and neurological symptoms.
Pets: All parts of this plant are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant away from children as the berries are highly toxic and look tempting.
Contact allergens: The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The extremely strong fragrance can trigger headaches or respiratory discomfort in enclosed spaces.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are considered toxic if ingested.

How to identify it

Glossy, alternate, oval shaped leaves
Clusters of small, tubular, greenish white flowers
Flowers open only at night
Produces small, white, berry like fruits

Height: 2 to 4m
Spread: 1 to 2m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: white, greenish-yellow, 2 to 3cm
Fruit: white, Autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
WhiteflyCommon
ChlorosisUncommon
Root RotUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: Spring
Overwintering: In cold regions, bring the container indoors to a bright, cool spot and reduce watering significantly. If planted in the ground, apply a thick layer of mulch over the roots to protect them from frost.
In containers: It grows well in large pots, at least 40 cm in diameter, provided it is pruned regularly.

Stem Cuttings

Take a 10 cm cutting from a healthy, non flowering stem in summer.
Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
Place in a pot with moist, well draining potting mix.
Cover with a plastic bag to maintain humidity until roots form.

Plant near a patio or bedroom window to enjoy the evening fragrance.

Grows well with

Gardenia — They share similar moisture and light requirements while providing complementary scents.
Moonflower — It also blooms at night, creating a cohesive theme for a moon garden.

Similar species

Day Blooming Cestrum — It is a close relative that blooms during the day instead of at night.

Science

Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Cestrum
Order: Solanales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tropical Americas and the West Indies.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

It thrives in disturbed areas and forest edges where it can quickly establish itself in warm climates.

Value to wildlife: nighttime nectar source
Pollinators: moths
Uses: ornamental, fragrance garden, container plant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Temperature: 8/9
Nutrients: 6/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Moisture: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why is my plant not blooming?: It likely needs more direct sunlight during the day to fuel its nighttime flower production.
Can I grow it indoors?: It is difficult indoors due to its size and the overwhelming strength of the fragrance.

Where the name comes from

Cestrum comes from the Greek word for a pointed tool, while nocturnum refers to its nocturnal blooming habit.

Good to know

It is commonly called night blooming jasmine, though it is not a true jasmine.
A single plant can scent an entire garden at night.
The flowers remain closed and inconspicuous during the day.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.