Cestrum dumetorum
Care, watering, light and tips for Cestrum dumetorum on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Solanaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 10–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Cestrum dumetorum
Cestrum dumetorum, commonly known as Hediondilla, is a shrub or small tree belonging to the Solanaceae family, native to Mexico and Central America. It is characterized by its ovate-lanceolate leaves and greenish-white tubular flowers that, despite its common name (meaning 'stinky weed'), emit a sweet and pleasant fragrance at night. It is ideal for hedges, privacy screens, or as a standalone specimen in subtropical and tropical gardens.
Native range
Mexico and Central America
Care tips
It requires full sun or partial shade exposure for optimal flowering. Watering should be regular, keeping the substrate moist but not waterlogged, especially during the flowering season. It prefers well-drained, fertile, and slightly acidic soils. A common mistake is a lack of pruning, which can lead to unruly growth and less flowering; it is recommended to prune after flowering to maintain its shape and vigor.
How to save a dying Cestrum dumetorum
- Warning signs
- Yellow or dropping leaves, no flowering, soft stems.
- First aid
- Check drainage and watering. Provide bright indirect light.
- What kills it
- Overwatering and lack of light. Does not tolerate waterlogging.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act quickly. Remove damaged parts and adjust its environment.