How to Grow and Care for Night-Blooming Jasmine

Night-blooming jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum) [1] is a shrub that belongs to the Solanaceae family [2], which also includes potatoes and tomatoes. It is not a true jasmine, but it has a similar sweet fragrance that is strongest at night. The flowers are tubular, greenish-white or yellow, and attract butterflies and other pollinators.

The shrub can grow up to 15 feet tall and has a sprawling habit. It is native to South America and the West Indies, but it can be grown in other subtropical and warm temperate regions.

Common Name	Night-blooming jasmine, lady of the night, queen of the night, etc.
Botanical Name	Cestrum nocturnum
Plant Type	Shrub, evergreen
Sun Exposure	Full sun to partial shade
Mature Size	6-15 feet tall
Soil pH	Acidic to neutral
Soil Type	Moist, well-drained, fertile
Flower Color	Greenish-white or yellow
Toxicity	Toxic to pets and people [3], especially the berries

 

• Cestrum nocturnum: The most common type of night-blooming jasmine, also known as "night-blooming cestrum." It bears clusters of small, greenish-white flowers that emit a strong, sweet fragrance at night.

• Nyctanthes arbor-tristis: This type of night-blooming jasmine is also known as "Parijat" or "Harsingar." It has fragrant, white flowers with orange centers that bloom at night and fall off the tree in the morning.

• Epiphyllum oxypetalum: Also known as "Dutchman's pipe cactus," this type of night-blooming jasmine produces large, fragrant, white flowers that bloom at night and last until early morning.

• Jasminum sambac: This is a popular jasmine variety with fragrant white flowers that bloom at night. It is also referred to as "Arabian jasmine" or "Sambac jasmine."

• Selenicereus grandiflorus: Common names for this night-blooming jasmine include "Queen of the Night" and "Vanilla Cactus." It blooms large, fragrant white flowers at night that last until early morning.

It's best to leave night-blooming jasmine at least four feet apart from other plants due to their extensive roots. When the final frost has passed in the spring, plant them.

Temperature and Humidity

The optimal conditions for night-blooming jasmines are warm temperatures and high humidity. Although mature plants can withstand temperatures as low as 25 degrees Fahrenheit, young growth frequently dies in conditions below 35 degrees. You should cultivate your plant in a container that you can bring indoors if the wintertime lows fall below this.

Soil

Any healthy, well-draining soil is ideal for growing night-blooming jasmine.

Water

These plants enjoy wetness. For them to produce wholesome, fragrant blossoms, they require constant watering. They may require saturating several times per week while establishing, and then at least once per week once they have established roots throughout the growing season. Established plants won't need much irrigation during the winter dormancy.

Fertilizer

These plants thrive in rich soil and will benefit from monthly fertilizer applications while they are getting established. Mature plants can benefit from an annual early spring feeding to encourage strong blooms.

Light

Although it may survive in little shade, this shrub thrives in at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. The amount of blossoms can be reduced by too much shadow.

Night-blooming jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum) is a tropical shrub that produces fragrant white flowers that open at night. It can grow up to 12 feet tall and wide, and it prefers warm climates with full sun and moist, well-drained soil. To grow night-blooming jasmine, you will need to follow these steps:

• Choose a sunny location with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Avoid planting near windows or doors, as the scent can be overpowering.

• Dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball of your plant. Loosen the soil and mix in some organic matter, such as compost or manure.

• Remove the plant from its pot and gently tease out the roots. Place it in the hole and fill in with soil, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the ground. Water well and tamp down the soil.

• Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to conserve moisture and prevent weeds. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, but do not overwater or let the soil become soggy.

• Fertilize your plant once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer, following the label instructions. Prune your plant in late winter or early spring to remove dead or damaged branches and shape it as desired.

• Enjoy the fragrant blooms from spring to fall. You can also cut some flowers and bring them indoors to enjoy their scent at night.

This fast-growing shrub is simple to grow from cuttings, as one might anticipate.

Healthy cuttings from the plant can be stored in water until new roots appear if they are taken in the fall. They can then be moved to a sunny location with moist, healthy soil. Wait until the spring, when the cold weather has passed, to transfer them outside.

Night-blooming jasmine is difficult to grow from seed because in untamed soils, they might lay dormant for many years. It is best to let the plant's berries ripen and fall to the ground naturally. The seeds from these berries can be sown on the surface of warm, moist compost. If germination is successful, shoots should start to appear in about a month.

There aren't many issues with these hardy, deer-resistant plants. But occasionally, aphids and caterpillars may strike. A stream of water can occasionally be used to blast these pests away, and insecticidal soaps or neem oil can also be used to control aphids. The best way to remove caterpillars from your plants is by hand, but some species might develop into stunning pollination butterflies, so you might not want to do that.

Can you grow night-blooming jasmine indoors?

Night-blooming jasmine can be grown indoors in a sunny spot, but it will not bloom as profusely as it would outdoors.

What is the maximum height of night-blooming jasmine?

Night-blooming jasmine can reach a height of 10 feet but can also be pruned to a more manageable size.

Is night-blooming jasmine dangerous to pets?

Night-blooming jasmine is toxic to pets if consumed, so keep it out of reach of dogs and cats.

SOURCES

The New York Garden works under restricted procurement guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies and studies conducted by academic organizations. Tertiary references should be avoided. For more information on how we ensure our material is correct and up to date, please visit our editorial policy.

1. Night Jessamine - Brisbane City Council

2. Solanaceae - United States Department of Agriculture

3. Guide to Poisonous Plants - Colorado State University.