Jessamine Plant Care

Jessamine (Cestrum chimborazinum) belongs to the Solanaceae family within the Cestrum genus. Jessamine is native to Ecuador. Jessamine is also known as Night-blooming Jessamine.

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

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted 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.

Jessamine thrives in full sun to partial shade.

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

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

Feed 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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