Night-flowering Jasmine Plant Care

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis is a species of Nyctanthes native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. It is commonly known as night-blooming jasmine, tree of sadness, tree of sorrow, hengra bubar, coral jasmine, as seri gading in Singapore and as shiuli in the Bengal region.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

50–80%

At a glance

How do you care for Night-flowering Jasmine?

Plant Night-flowering Jasmine in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Night-flowering Jasmine Native To?

Native range18 countries

What Is the Night-flowering Jasmine?

Night-flowering Jasmine (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis) belongs to the Oleaceae family within the Nyctanthes genus. Night-flowering Jasmine is native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. Night-flowering Jasmine is also known as Coral Jasmine, Sad Tree.

Night-flowering Jasmine displays a small tree or large shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Night-flowering Jasmine produces fragrant white tubular flowers with orange centers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Night-flowering Jasmine?

Water a young or newly planted Night-flowering Jasmine 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Night-flowering Jasmine Need?

Night-flowering Jasmine thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Night-flowering Jasmine Prefer?

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Night-flowering Jasmine prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

50–80%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Night-flowering Jasmine?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Night-flowering Jasmine?

Feed Night-flowering Jasmine 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

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

Where Should You Plant a Night-flowering Jasmine?

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

Night-flowering Jasmine is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Night-flowering Jasmine?

Night-flowering Jasmine can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 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.

How Do You Prune a Night-flowering Jasmine?

Prune Night-flowering Jasmine 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.

How Do You Care for a Night-flowering Jasmine in Winter?

Night-flowering Jasmine is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Night-flowering Jasmine?

Night-flowering Jasmine can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings.

Is the Night-flowering Jasmine Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Night-flowering Jasmine, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

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

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Night-flowering Jasmine?

Night-flowering Jasmine is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, whiteflies. 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Night-flowering Jasmine Need?

Night-flowering Jasmine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Night-flowering Jasmine is native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. In cooler regions, grow Night-flowering Jasmine as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Night-flowering Jasmine is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Nyctanthes genus — compare its care with other Nyctanthes species on PlantoScan.

Nyctanthes is part of the Oleaceae plant family — browse all Oleaceae genera and species.

Night-flowering Jasmine thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L., family Oleaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 6 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Night-flowering Jasmine, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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