No, it is highly toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

Does it need a lot of water?

It is quite drought tolerant once established.

Plant guide

Sacred Datura.

Datura wrightii

Pronounced duh-TOO-ruh RITE-ee-eye

Also known as Sacred Datura, Sacred thorn-apple, hairy thornapple, Western Jimson weed, Western Jimsonweed, hairy thorn-apple, hoary thorn-apple, recurved thorn-apple, sacred thorn-apple, sacred thornapple

Sacred Datura — Photo by tlaloc27 (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This striking plant is known for its large, trumpet shaped flowers that bloom at night. It is a hardy perennial that thrives in warm, dry climates. You will love how its sweet fragrance fills the evening air.

Another photo of Sacred Datura — Photo by Kate Harper (CC0) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial shrub
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 3 to 5 feet tall
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 8 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Give this plant plenty of sun and well draining soil to keep it happy. Watch for wilting during extreme heat, which is a sign it needs a deep soak. Be careful when handling, as all parts of the plant are poisonous.

Watering: Water deeply once the top few inches of soil have dried out.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back dead or damaged stems to encourage a bushier shape.
Repotting: Move to a larger container only if the roots become severely crowded.
Soil: Sandy or rocky, well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0
Temperature: -7 to 38°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%

Safety

People: This plant contains potent tropane alkaloids that are toxic to humans and pets.
Pets: This plant is highly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: This plant is extremely dangerous to children due to its high toxicity and should never be planted in areas where kids play.
Contact allergens: Handling the foliage may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The heavy, sweet fragrance can trigger headaches or respiratory distress in enclosed spaces.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are highly poisonous if ingested and can cause severe illness or death.

How to identify it

Large, white trumpet shaped flowers
Soft, velvety grey green leaves
Spiny, round seed pods
Strong, musky scent at night

Height: 0.6 to 1.5m
Spread: 0.9 to 2m
Leaves: gray-green, deciduous
Flowers: white, lavender, 10 to 20cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your sacred datura from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring

Group this plant with other drought tolerant natives to create a low maintenance xeriscape.

Grows well with

Desert Marigold · They share similar water and sun requirements in arid landscapes.
California Poppy · These plants provide a nice color contrast and thrive in similar dry conditions.

Similar species

Jimsonweed · A related species that is also highly toxic and shares a similar growth habit.

Science

Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Datura
Order: Solanales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

It thrives in dry, disturbed soils and rocky slopes where it outcompetes other vegetation.

Value to wildlife: night pollinator magnet
Pollinators: moths
Uses: ornamental, xeriscaping

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it safe for pets?: No, it is highly toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.
Does it need a lot of water?: It is quite drought tolerant once established.

Where the name comes from

The genus name comes from the Hindi word dhatura, while the species honors American botanist Charles Wright.

Good to know

It is often called sacred datura by indigenous groups.
The flowers typically wilt by the following morning.
It is a member of the nightshade family.
The seed pods are covered in sharp, protective spines.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your sacred datura growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.