Orange Jessamine Plant Care

Orange Jessamine (Cestrum aurantiacum) belongs to the Solanaceae family within the Cestrum genus. Orange Jessamine is native to tropical regions of North and South America. Orange Jessamine is also known as Yellow Cestrum, Golden Cestrum.

Orange Jessamine displays a fast-growing shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Orange Jessamine produces tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, or yellow.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Orange Jessamine every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Orange Jessamine thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Cestrum aurantiacum tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Orange Jessamine prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Orange Jessamine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Orange Jessamine every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, fertile soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Orange Jessamine is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Orange Jessamine can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Orange Jessamine while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Orange Jessamine is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Orange Jessamine can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to night-blooming jessamine plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Orange Jessamine is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Orange Jessamine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Orange Jessamine is native to tropical regions of North and South America. In cooler regions, grow Orange Jessamine as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.