Sacred datura (Datura wrightii)
Care, watering, light and tips for Sacred datura on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Solanaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 10–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Sacred datura
Datura wrightii, commonly known as 'Sacred Thornapple,' is a perennial plant from the Solanaceae family, famed for its large, fragrant, trumpet-shaped white flowers that open at night. It is ideal for warm, dry climate gardens, roadside plantings, or as a focal point in desert landscapes, adding an exotic and mysterious touch. Its grayish-green foliage and sprawling growth habit make it stand out in open, sunny areas.
Native range
Southwestern United States and Mexico
Care tips
It requires full sun and well-drained soil, preferably sandy or rocky, with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. This plant is drought-tolerant once established but benefits from deep, infrequent watering during dry spells, avoiding waterlogging. A common mistake is over-fertilization, as it thrives in poor soils; use light fertilizers only if growth is very slow. All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, so it should be handled with caution and not planted where children or pets can access it.
How to save a dying Sacred datura
- Warning signs
- Wilted, yellowing leaves, dry tips, sparse flowering. Could be lack of water or nutrients.
- First aid
- Check soil moisture. If dry, water deeply. If wet, check drainage. Fertilize if not done.
- What kills it
- Constant waterlogging, rotting its roots. Also complete lack of watering in summer.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots aren't completely rotted. Act fast to adjust watering and nutrition.