Night-Blooming Jasmine

Night-blooming jasmine prefers evenly moist soil, so keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water the plant deeply once a week during the growing season when soil appears dry about 1 inch down; water more frequently if the soil dries quickly. During the winter months, reduce watering to about once a month.

Night-blooming jasmine prefers dappled light during the day. Morning or afternoon sun is best, but not continuous, direct sun as this can scorch the plant. During the winter months, direct sunlight should be limited to prevent leaf burn. Too much shade will reduce blooming. If grown indoors, the plant should be placed near a bright, south-facing window.

Cestrum nocturnum prefers warm temperatures between 10-32 °C in the growing season, and not lower than 4.5 °C during the winter. Make sure temperatures don't drop too low when growing outdoors in the winter.

Night-blooming jasmine tolerates some dryness but prefers a humid environment. If the home air is too dry, mist the plant every week with distilled water or set it on a tray filled with pebbles and distilled water to provide greater humidity.

Night-blooming jasmine grows best in sandy, well-draining soils that are both acid and slightly alkaline; slightly acidic soils are preferred. The soil should also contain plenty of organic matter for added nutrients. A light potting mix is ideal for indoor plants.

Fertilize the Night-Blooming Jasmine every two weeks in the spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to one-quarter strength. In the fall and winter months, fertilize once a month. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can cause excessive growth and reduced blooming.

Night-blooming jasmine is generally pest and disease free. Occasional pests include spider mites, mealybugs, and scales. To control them, wipe off the mealybugs or scales with a damp cloth, or spray with a water and soap mixture in a gloved hand. If the plant is severely infested, prune away the affected areas and discard them. Treat the remaining plant parts with an insecticidal soap or a systemic insecticide.

This plant enjoys being root-bound, and should only be repotted when it has outgrown its pot. Repotting should typically be done in the spring by transferring the plant to a new pot one size larger than the previous one and replacing the soil. Depending on the size, some specimens may only need repotting every few years.

Night-Blooming Jasmine can be pruned to shape the shrub and to encourage healthy growth. It’s important to prune the plant in early spring, before it begins producing new growth, so as to ensure proper flowering. Cut back lanky shoots to maintain the shrub’s natural shape. If it has become too large for the available space, it can be cut back drastically and it will regrow vigorously.

Apply a good layer of mulch around the plant to help keep soil moist and prevent weeds from growing. A fine-textured, organic mulch is recommended for best results. Pull it away from the base of the plant to prevent damage and rot.

Night-blooming jasmine is easily propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late summer. Choose pliable, non-flowering shoots or stems from the top of the plant, and cut straight across just below a leaf. Remove all but the top two leaves, dip in rooting hormone, and plant in moist, sterile potting mix. Keep cuttings moist and wait for them to form roots before potting them up.

This plant is usually a self-supporting shrub or small tree, but young plants may need support to help them grow upright. Include a wooden stake beside the plant early on, and tie it to the stake for added support as necessary.

Night-blooming jasmine does not need a rest period. As long as it is kept out of prolonged, direct sun, and given plenty of humidity, it can produce blooms all season long.

Night-blooming jasmine is toxic to pets and humans. When handling, wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards. If eaten, the leaves and flowers of the jasmine plant can cause symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches.