Bring home the enchanting beauty of Night Blooming Jasmine Red (Cestrum elegans), also known as Red Cestrum or Bastard Jasmine, and enjoy its intoxicating fragrance. This fast-growing shrub from the Solanaceae family produces stunning red tubular flowers that bloom at night, releasing a sweet scent that fills your garden with aromatic charm.
Plant Type
Well-rooted plant
Family
Solanaceae
Common Names
Red Cestrum, Bastard Jasmine
First Bloom
3–4 months
Plant Size
Approximately 2 ft
Sunlight Requirement
Full sun
Fragrance
Yes
Ideal Temperature
10°C to 35°C
Botanical Name
Cestrum elegans
Flowering Frequency
Blooms up to five times a year
Lifespan
Perennial
Maintenance Required
Easy
🌹Why Choose Night Blooming Jasmine Red?
Low Maintenance:
The Cestrum elegans plant is very easy to grow and doesn’t need much care. Once it is well established, it can even tolerate short dry periods. Great for beginners!
Beautiful Fragrance:
Famous for its sweet scent, this plant fills your garden with a lovely aroma at night. Perfect if you enjoy relaxing outdoors in the evening.
Vibrant Red Flowers:
The plant produces stunning clusters of red, tube-shaped flowers that bloom after sunset. These flowers look magical in the moonlight and give off a powerful fragrance that’s truly captivating.
Blooming Season:
It blooms in cycles during the warmer months, from late spring to early autumn, offering beautiful flowers and fragrance up to five times a year. With proper care, it may even bloom throughout the year.
🪴 Care Guide:
☀️Sunlight Requirements:
The Night Blooming Jasmine Red thrives best in full sunlight, with at least 6 hours of direct sun daily to support healthy growth and abundant flowering. While it can tolerate partial shade, especially during hot summers, too much shade may reduce bloom production. An east-facing location with morning sunlight and filtered afternoon light works best.
🌡️Temperature:
The Cestrum elegans prefers warm climates, with ideal temperatures ranging from 15°C to 35°C. It is sensitive to frost and should not be exposed to temperatures below 10°C. In regions with cold winters, such as North India, it’s best to move the plant indoors. In summer, growing it under a shade net can help protect it from intense heat.
🌱Soil:
Use a well-draining soil that is light and rich in organic matter. A good blend would be garden soil mixed with compost, perlite or vermiculite, and a bit of cocopeat or worm castings to improve structure and moisture retention. Always ensure that the soil drains easily and the pot or grow bag has proper drainage holes to prevent root rot.
💧Watering:
Water the Cestrum elegans plant only when the topsoil feels dry to the touch. You can check this by inserting your finger or a small stick into the soil. During summer, watering may be needed 2–3 times a week depending on how fast the soil dries, while in winter and monsoon seasons, reduce the frequency. Avoid watering directly on the flowers or leaves, as this can lead to fungal infections.
🏡Pot or Ground:
Night Blooming Jasmine Red grows very well in containers sized between 12 to 15 inches. The plant can also be grown directly in the ground, ideally in raised beds to improve drainage.
🌾Fertilising:
Fertilising is important during the active growing months, typically from spring through autumn. Use organic fertilisers like compost, bio-potash, or cow dung once a month to maintain soil fertility. For better flowering and root development, you can also use bone meal. Avoid fertilising when the plant is in bloom, and always water the plant after applying any fertiliser to help it absorb nutrients better.
✂️Pruning:
Pruning helps in maintaining the shape of the plant and promoting new growth. After each blooming cycle, prune the plant lightly by cutting back up to one-third of its height. Remove any dried, dead, or diseased leaves and stems as needed. Regular pruning encourages bushier growth and more flowers.
🐛Pest Control:
Common pests include mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, and fungus gnats. These can be controlled naturally using neem oil spray or bio solutions like beauveria bassiana and metarhizium anisopliae. Overwatering can attract pests and lead to fungal diseases like leaf spots, so it’s important to maintain good watering habits and ensure the plant has enough air circulation.
🌼Benefits:
Evening Garden Highlight:
Fills your space with an unforgettable night fragrance
Perfect for Small Spaces:
Excellent for terraces, balconies, patios, and container gardening
Wildlife Friendly:
Attracts useful pollinators and adds biodiversity
⚠️ Toxicity
Please note that all parts of the Night Blooming Jasmine Red are considered toxic. Handle with care, especially around pets and small children.
Add this enchanting plant to your garden and enjoy the mesmerising beauty and sweet night-time fragrance of the Night Blooming Jasmine Red all year round!

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