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.

Plant guide

Night-blooming jasmine.

Cestrum nocturnum

Pronounced KES-trum nok-TURN-um

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

This tropical shrub is famous for its incredibly fragrant white flowers that open only at night, perfuming the air. It's a fast grower and can become quite sprawling if not pruned. Native to the West Indies, it's often grown as an ornamental or container plant.

At a glance

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

Care

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%

Safety

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.

How to identify it

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

Common problems

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.

Growing it

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.

Grows well with

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.

Keep away from

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.

Similar species

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.

Science

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

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6.5/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

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.

Where the name comes from

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.

Good to know

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.

Is your night-blooming jasmine looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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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.