Night blooming jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum) is cherished for its intense, sweet fragrance, most potent after dusk. This shrub produces small, tubular flowers that, while not visually striking, fill evenings with their pervasive scent, making it a sought-after addition for aromatic outdoor or indoor spaces.
Environmental Needs for Night Blooming Jasmine
Light Requirements
Night blooming jasmine flourishes with ample sunlight, at least six hours of direct sun daily. While it tolerates partial shade, too much shade reduces blooms. In regions with intense summer heat, providing afternoon shade protects the plant from scorching, ensuring healthy foliage and consistent flowering.
Watering Practices
Consistent moisture is important for night blooming jasmine, especially during active growth and flowering. The plant needs frequent watering to support its blooms. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. During the dormant winter season, established plants require significantly less water.
Soil Preferences
Night blooming jasmine thrives in well-draining, fertile soil. It prefers a mix of sandy loam or loamy soil, which provides good drainage and aeration. Incorporating organic matter like compost or aged manure enriches the soil. The plant prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH range, between 6.0 and 7.5.
Temperature and Humidity
This plant prefers warm temperatures and moderate to high humidity. Night blooming jasmine tolerates temperatures down to about 25 degrees Fahrenheit once established, but new growth is susceptible to damage below 35 degrees Fahrenheit. In climates where temperatures drop below this, growing the plant in a container allows it to be moved indoors for winter protection.
Ongoing Maintenance
Fertilizing
Night blooming jasmine benefits from regular fertilization during its active growing season. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 14-14-14 formulation, can be applied in early spring to encourage growth and blooming. For an additional boost to flowering, a high-phosphorus fertilizer can be used. Over-fertilization, particularly with high-nitrogen formulas, can promote foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
Pruning Techniques
Pruning night blooming jasmine helps maintain its shape, promotes bushiness, and encourages new growth that will bear flowers. The best time for major pruning is after the main flowering period, in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, or in the fall after blooming has finished. Removing dead or damaged branches at any time benefits plant health. Cutting back spent flowers, known as deadheading, also encourages more blooms.
Addressing Common Problems
Pests
Night blooming jasmine is generally robust, but it can occasionally encounter pests such as aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and caterpillars. Signs of infestation include visible insects, yellowing leaves, or holes in foliage. A strong stream of water can dislodge aphids, and insecticidal soaps or neem oil are effective organic control methods for many of these pests. Manual removal of larger pests like caterpillars is also an option.
Diseases
Diseases are less common for night blooming jasmine, especially when its environmental needs are met. Issues like powdery mildew, a fungal disease, can occur with poor air circulation or excessive humidity. Symptoms include a white, powdery coating on leaves. Ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering helps prevent fungal problems.
Other Issues
A lack of blooms often results from insufficient light, as the plant requires ample sunlight to produce flowers. Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering, underwatering, or nutrient deficiencies, particularly iron. Leggy growth, characterized by long, sparse stems, points to insufficient light or a need for more consistent pruning to encourage a bushier form.
Planting Location Considerations
Selecting the right planting location is important for night blooming jasmine to thrive. This plant is suitable for outdoor cultivation in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11, where it can be grown as a shrub or trained on a trellis.
When choosing a spot, consider placing the plant near a patio, window, or entrance to maximize enjoyment of its strong evening fragrance. Allow ample space for its mature size, as it can reach 6 to 15 feet tall. For container growing, ensure the pot has drainage holes and is large enough to accommodate the plant’s root system.