Early jessamine
Cestrum fasciculatum · Solanaceae
📷 Stan Shebs · CC BY-SA 3.0
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The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around early jessamine and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- May to August, bright red flowers in clusters
- Mature size
- Approximately 150 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast to moderate
- Hardiness
- Cold-sensitive, mild climate preferred
- Origin
- Central and South America
- Soil type
- Well-draining, slightly acidic
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Plant Cestrum in rich, well-drained soil; it tolerates partial shade but flowers better in dappled sunlight. Prune after flowering (August) to compact growth and encourage branching.
The common mistake
Letting it get leggy without regular pruning, which creates a long bare stem that's sparse and unattractive.
The pro's trick
A light trim in May, just after the first flush of flowers, triggers a marked boost in summer blooming.
Care
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist during the growing season, without excess water that could cause root rot. Reduce watering in winter depending on climatic conditions. Check that drainage is optimal and water does not stagnate.
Light Exposure
Place your red cestrum in partial shade or part sun to encourage abundant flowering. Gentle morning light is beneficial, while avoiding intense afternoon sun in very hot regions.
Pruning and Training
Prune lightly after flowering to encourage a compact, branched form. Remove dead or poorly placed branches in early spring. Regular pruning stimulates flowering and keeps the shrub airy and attractive.
Fertilizer
Apply balanced or potassium-rich fertilizer once a month during the growing season (spring-summer). Gradually reduce in autumn and stop in winter to let the plant rest.
Soil
Prefer a rich, well-draining potting mix enriched with organic matter. Slightly acidic to neutral soil works well. Improve structure with compost or peat to promote moderate moisture retention.
Diseases and Pests
Watch for mealybugs and spider mites, particularly indoors or in dry climates. Poor air circulation can encourage fungal diseases; ensure regular air circulation around the plant and avoid wetting the foliage in autumn and winter.
Did you know?
Red cestrum owes its ornamental success to its bright red tubular flowers that are particularly spectacular, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to tropical gardens. Its genus name, Cestrum, comes from ancient Greek and was already known to botanists in the 17th century for its remarkable properties in Central American regions.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- TomatoSolanum lycopersicum
- Sweet pepperCapsicum annuum
- EggplantSolanum melongena
- Cape gooseberryPhysalis peruviana
- Night jessamineCestrum nocturnum
- Potato vineSolanum laxum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.