Green cestrum
Cestrum parqui · Solanaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around green cestrum and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen to evergreen depending on climate
- Flowering
- Spring and summer, yellow-green flowers
- Adult size
- 1.5 to 2.5 m in height
- Growth
- Moderate to fast
- Hardiness
- Tender, freezes below -5 °C
- Origin
- South America (Chile)
- Soil type
- Well-drained, light soil, slightly acidic to neutral
Care
Watering
Water regularly during active growth, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in winter. Prefer watering at the base rather than on the foliage to prevent fungal diseases.
Light exposure
Place your Cestrum in full sun or partial shade. A sunny location promotes more abundant flowering and denser foliage. Protect it from cold and drying winds.
Pruning and cleaning
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact form and encourage branching. Remove dead wood and unsightly branches in early spring. Regular pruning limits its size.
Fertilizer
Apply balanced fertilizer once or twice a month during the growing season (spring and summer). Stop all fertilizing in autumn and winter to allow the plant to rest.
Soil and planting
Use light potting mix enriched with organic matter, slightly acidic. Good drainage is essential: add coarse sand or perlite if needed. Plant in a pot with drainage holes to prevent water buildup.
Diseases and pests
Watch for aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs, especially indoors. Improve ventilation and leaf hygiene to prevent fungal diseases. In case of infestation, isolate the plant quickly.
Did you know?
Cestrum parqui is traditionally cultivated in South America for its intensely fragrant flowers in the evening and at night, earning it the English nickname 'Green Cestrum'. Its nocturnal scent attracts night pollinators and makes it particularly ornamental in Mediterranean gardens or in pots on patios.
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.