Cestrum nocturnum aka Night Jasmine

Cestrum nocturnum belongs to the nightshade family. This shrub keeps its leaves all year. People call it night jessamine or night-blooming jasmine. Sources place its native range in Mexico and Central America. They also list the Caribbean. It grows in damp woods and clearings. It also grows on ground that people have disturbed. Gardeners grow it in warm regions, chiefly for its scent. Beyond its native range, it can form dense thickets.

Garden plants reach about 3–13 feet (0.9–4 metres) tall. Sources give different widths. RHS lists 5–8 feet (1.5–2.5 metres). Missouri Botanical Garden gives spreads reaching 13 feet (4 metres). The shrub may grow upright, spread out, or scramble. Thin branches arch beneath oval to oblong leaves. These leaves measure 2–6 inches long. They stay on the plant year-round. Prune after bloom to help keep the shrub compact. Grow new plants from seeds or stem cuttings.

Narrow flowers shaped like tubes grow in groups. They form at stem tips and leaf joints. Their colour ranges from creamy white to pale green. The flowers open after dark and give off a strong scent. Chicago Botanic Garden lists bloom from January through June. Missouri Botanical Garden reports many blooms, with no fixed season. Small white fruits may follow the flowers. Butterflies visit the blooms. Birds spread the seeds. Grow this shrub in borders, hedges, screens, or pots. You can enjoy its scent near patios and doorways. In the house, the scent can grow too strong.

Give plants sun or light shade. Use rich soil that drains well. Full sun gives the best bloom. Keep the soil moist throughout, but do not leave roots soaked. Plants accept acid, neutral, and alkaline soils. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 9–11. Chicago lists zones 8–11. RHS rates it H2; it needs shelter from freezing. Useful Tropical Plants reports that mature plants withstand some cold. Tender new growth can still suffer near freezing. Potted plants can spend winter indoors in a sunny, south-facing spot. For plants under glass, RHS calls for watering in summer. Give less water in winter.

RHS reports few problems with pests or disease in general. Whiteflies, aphids, and spider mites can still cause trouble. Wet soil can lead to root rot. In parts of Oceania, escaped plants crowd out native growth. All parts of the plant are poisonous. This includes the leaves and fruit. Eating them can harm people and dogs. A report of leaves used for food is doubtful. Reports of use as medicine do not prove safe home use.