About
Cestrum nocturnum is a dense, evergreen shrub that typically reaches heights of about 4 meters. It features arching branches adorned with ovate foliage and produces clusters of tubular flowers that are creamy-white with a hint of green. These blooms emit a sweet, musky fragrance during the evening hours. Following the flowering period, the plant may develop clusters of small, white berries.
About the genus
Cestrum consists of shrubs or climbing plants that can scramble as they grow. The leaves are simple and remain green year-round. Flowers, which are either tubular or shaped like salvers, appear in clusters at the ends of branches and in the leaf axils, eventually giving way to red or black berries.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand, Chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants
- Fragrance
- Flower
- Toxicity
- Harmful of eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Under glass grow in containers using peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light with good ventilation and shade from hot sun. Water freely in summer and keep just moist in winter. Can be grown outdoors in a sheltered sunny site and well-drained soil
- Pruning
- Pruning group 9
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed in spring at 13-18°C, or propagate by softwood or semi-ripe cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free