Night Jessamine Care (Cestrum nocturnum)

This shrub needs bright, strong light to flower well and maintain healthy foliage.

• Provide 4–6 hours of direct morning sun with light afternoon shade, especially in hot summer climates above 90°F (32°C).
• Tolerates bright partial shade, but flowering decreases if it receives less than 3–4 hours of direct or lightly filtered sun daily; dense shade leads to lanky growth.
• In cooler seasons, allow more direct sun and protect Night Jessamine from harsh, reflective midday exposure that can scorch leaves in very hot regions.

Watering should keep the root zone evenly moist but not saturated.

• Allow the top 3–5 cm of soil to dry before deep watering, soaking the root area thoroughly, then letting excess drain away to avoid root rot.
• In spring and summer growth, expect more frequent watering during hot, dry spells; in fall and winter, reduce frequency as growth and evaporation slow.
• Wilting, dull leaves, and dry, hard soil indicate underwatering, while yellowing leaves, soft stems, and a sour soil smell suggest Cestrum nocturnum is overwatered or poorly drained.

This species prefers warm, frost-free conditions for reliable growth and flowering.

• Ideal growing temperatures are 65–80°F (18–27°C), with steady warmth supporting continuous vegetative growth and flowering cycles.
• It tolerates brief dips to about 40°F (4°C), but foliage damage occurs near this point and the plant is usually killed by hard frost below 32°F (0°C).
• In hot summers above 90°F (32°C), provide mulched roots and some afternoon shade to limit heat stress, while in cooler months protect from cold winds and sudden temperature swings.

This species prefers moderate humidity and benefits from slightly moist air.

• Aim for 40–60% humidity; it tolerates brief drops lower but sustained very dry air can slow growth.
• Crisp leaf edges, wilting at normal soil moisture, and leaf drop at the tips suggest humidity stress.
• Increase humidity with grouped plants, a pebble tray near Night Jessamine, or a room humidifier rather than misting leaves.

Cestrum nocturnum grows best in loose, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil.

• Use a loamy mix built from roughly 50% peat- or coco-based potting mix, 25% compost, and 25% perlite or coarse sand.
• Ensure rapid drainage; water should exit the pot within seconds and the surface should not stay waterlogged for more than a few hours.
• Target a slightly acidic to neutral pH of about 6.0–7.0 to support nutrient uptake and steady flowering.
• Avoid heavy clay, compacted ground, or soils with high proportion of fine sand that bake hard and restrict root aeration.

This species is suitable for container growing, especially where winters are cool or space is limited.

• Choose a pot at least 30–40 cm deep to support its strong, fast-growing root system and prevent tipping.
• Use a slightly heavier container material, such as ceramic, to stabilize the tall, bushy top growth in wind.
• Leave 2–3 cm of space below the rim for deep watering without overflow, helping excess water drain quickly away from the roots.

This species responds well to moderate feeding during the warm growing season.

• Use a balanced liquid fertilizer (around 10-10-10 or 20-20-20) diluted to 1/2 strength every 4–6 weeks in spring and summer.
• In containers, a slow-release balanced fertilizer or light topdressing with compost supports sustained growth.
• Rinse the soil with plain water every few feedings to limit salt buildup around the roots.
• Reduce feeding to once in late fall or stop completely in winter when Night Jessamine growth slows.

Thoughtful pruning keeps Cestrum nocturnum compact, floriferous, and manageable in size.

• Carry out main pruning in late winter or early spring before vigorous growth starts.
• Remove dead, diseased, weak, or crossing stems first, then shorten overly long shoots to shape the shrub.
• Use clean, sharp bypass pruners to make smooth cuts just above outward-facing buds or side branches.
• Light tip pinching after flushes of growth encourages denser branching and more flowering wood.

Container-grown plants benefit from periodic repotting to maintain healthy, vigorous growth.

• Check for roots circling the pot, emerging from drainage holes, or slow growth as signs Cestrum nocturnum needs a larger container.
• Plan repotting or transplanting for early spring, before strong new growth and high heat, about every 2–3 years in pots.
• Move into a pot 1–2 in wider with free-draining soil, keeping the root ball at the same depth as before.
• Water thoroughly after moving, keep in bright but not harsh sun for 1–2 weeks, and avoid heavy pruning at the same time to reduce stress.

This shrub is commonly propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings for consistent flowering plants.

• Take 10–15 cm semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring to summer from non-flowering shoots of Cestrum nocturnum.
• Remove lower leaves, optionally dip the cut end in rooting hormone, and insert into a moist, free-draining mix of perlite and peat or similar.
• Provide bottom warmth around 70–75°F, bright indirect light, and high humidity using a loose cover with ventilation.
• Seeds may germinate in warm conditions but are slower and more variable than cuttings, so are less used for home propagation.

Winter protection is important in regions with freezing temperatures, especially for container-grown plants.

• Cestrum nocturnum is frost-sensitive and typically only root-hardy in very mild climates.
• In cold regions, move container plants indoors before nights drop near 40°F, placing them in bright, cool conditions.
• Outdoors in mild zones, apply a 5–8 cm mulch over the root zone to buffer temperature swings.
• Trim back any frost-damaged growth in late winter once the risk of hard freeze has passed.