Cestrum nocturnum

Plant Family

Solanaceae

Plant Botanical Name

Cestrum nocturnum

Photo by: GRANDIFLORA

Plant Common Name

Night Jessamine, Night-blooming Jasmine

General Description

When the moon shines a heavenly fragrance announces night-blooming jasmine.

A member of the nightshade family, night-blooming jasmine is native to the tropical Americas and West Indies. It is a large, sprawling evergreen shrub with simple, waxy, oval-shaped leaves. Clusters of small, tubular,green-white to cream-colored flowers appear from spring to fall and are followed by berries that are most commonly white. Plants are most floriferous when weather is moist and warm.

Night-blooming jasmine prefers sunny sites with average well-drained soil and is salt and drought tolerant. It is sensitive to frost, though plants can be container-grown in colder climates and moved indoors to overwinter. The fragrance of its flowers is very strong, so use the plant sparingly in the back of borders where the lovely green foliage creates a backdrop for more colorful species. This is a good choice for large containers on the patio or poolside. In some parts of the world this species is considered weedy.

Characteristics

• AHS Heat Zone

  12 - 10

• USDA Hardiness Zone

  9 - 12

• Sunset Zone

  13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

• Plant Type

  Shrub

• Sun Exposure

  Full Sun, Partial Sun

• Height

  4'-12' / 1.2m - 3.7m (6)

• Width

  6'-8' / 1.8m - 2.4m (6)

• Bloom Time

  Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall

• Native To

  Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean

Growing Conditions

• Soil pH

  Neutral, Alkaline

• Soil Moisture

  Well Drained

• Soil type

  Loam, Sand

• Tolerances

  Drought

• Growth Rate

  Fast

• Water Requirements

  Drought Tolerant, Average Water

• Habit

  Oval/Rounded

• Seasonal Interest

  Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

• Flower Interest

  Showy

• Flower Color

  White, Light Green

• Fruit Color

  White

• Foliage Color (Spring)

  Green

• Foliage Color (Summer)

  Green

• Foliage Color (Fall)

  Green

• Foliage Color (Winter)

  Green

• Fragrant Flowers

  Yes

• Fragrant Fruit

  No

• Fragrant Foliage

  No

• Bark or Stem Fragrant

  No

• Flower Petal Number

  Single

• Repeat Bloomer

  Yes

• Showy Fruit

  Yes

• Edible Fruit

  No

• Showy Foliage

  No

• Foliage Texture

  Medium

• Foliage Sheen

  Glossy

• Evergreen

  Yes

• Showy Bark

  No

Special Characteristics

• Usage

  Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier, Tropical

• Sharp or Has Thorns

  No

• Invasive

  Sometimes

• Attracts

  Hummingbirds

• Self-Sowing

  Yes