Orange Jessamine Cestrum aurantiacum

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Cestrum aurantiacum, commonly known as orange jessamine or orange cestrum, is a flowering shrub notable for its vibrant display. This evergreen plant boasts a thick foliage of long, slender leaves that are a glossy deep green color, providing a lush backdrop for its floral show. Throughout the blooming periods, which can vary depending on the climate, the orange jessamine produces clusters of tubular flowers. The blossoms are an eye-catching orange or sometimes a golden-yellow hue, adding a splash of warm color to the garden. These fragrant flowers are especially attractive to moths and other pollinators that feed at night. The plant's branches tend to arch gracefully, giving the orange jessamine an elegant and slightly weeping form. In areas where the climate is favorable, the orange jessamine can flower throughout the year, continually adding interest to the landscape. After the flowering season, the orange jessamine can produce small berries that may vary in color from white to a dark shade of purple-black. These berries often attract birds and other wildlife to the garden, adding yet another layer of natural beauty and activity. Overall, the appearance of the orange jessamine is characterized by its lush green foliage, stunning orange flowers, and the presence of small berries, creating a multi-dimensional display that's appealing to the senses and beneficial to the local ecosystem.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Solanaceae
- Synonyms
  Orange Jessamine, Orange Cestrum, Yellow Cestrum, Golden Flower of the Incas
- Common names
  Cestrum aurantiacum.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Orange jessamine, Cestrum aurantiacum, is considered toxic to humans. Ingesting any part of the plant can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In some cases, the toxicity can also result in neurological symptoms, including dizziness, headache, and in severe cases, convulsions or seizures. It contains toxic compounds, including alkaloids and saponins, which are the primary culprits of its poisonous nature.
- To pets
  Orange jessamine is toxic to pets, such as dogs and cats. Symptoms of poisoning after ingestion can include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness, and lethargy. The plant contains compounds like alkaloids and saponins, which can be harmful. In severe cases, pets might develop more serious effects such as respiratory issues or seizures. It is crucial to prevent pets from accessing or ingesting any part of this plant.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Orange
- Height
  8 feet (2.44 meters)
- Spread
  3 feet (0.91 meters)
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  9
- Native area
  Central America

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental value: Cestrum aurantiacum, commonly known as Orange Jessamine, is valued for its vibrant orange flowers which add aesthetic appeal to gardens and landscapes.
- Wildlife attraction: The plant can attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators, contributing to the local ecosystem's biodiversity.
- Aromatic flowers: Orange Jessamine's blossoms exude a pleasing fragrance that can enhance the sensory experience of a garden or patio area.
- Hedge or screen plant: Its dense foliage and fast-growing nature make it suitable for creating privacy screens or hedges in residential areas.
- Tolerance of various growing conditions: Orange Jessamine is known for tolerating a range of soil types, light conditions, and temperatures once established.
- Low maintenance: It generally requires minimal care beyond basic watering and occasional pruning to maintain its shape and size.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- As an ornamental plant: Cestrum aurantiacum, commonly known as orange jessamine, is often cultivated for its clusters of vibrant orange-yellow flowers which are highly ornamental and can enhance the aesthetics of gardens and landscapes.
- For creating hedges and screens: Orange jessamine can be pruned and maintained as hedges or screens for privacy or to divide different areas in a garden, due to its dense foliage.
- As a nocturnal garden feature: Its flowers are known to be more fragrant at night, making orange jessamine a suitable plant for gardens designed to be enjoyed in the evening or at night.
- In butterfly gardens: Orange jessamine attracts butterflies and other pollinators, making it a valuable addition to butterfly gardens or other wildlife-friendly landscapes.
- For cut flower arrangements: The attractive flowers of orange jessamine can be used in cut flower arrangements and bouquets.
- As a live fence in rural areas: In some rural regions, orange jessamine may be used as a live fence to mark boundaries and protect land from erosion.
- For educational purposes: Botany students and horticulturists may study orange jessamine as a specimen to learn more about the plant's growth habits and characteristics.
- In perfumery: While not a primary source, the flowers of orange jessamine may sometimes be used in making perfumes or fragrances due to their sweet scent.
- In artisan crafts: Dried flowers of orange jessamine can be incorporated into handcrafted items such as potpourri or floral crafts for decorative purposes.
- As a natural insect attractant in gardens: By attracting insects, orange jessamine can form part of a garden's ecosystem, helping to maintain a balance and encourage biodiversity.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Orange Jessamine is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Orange Jessamine is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Beauty in the Night: Cestrum aurantiacum, commonly known as Orange Jessamine, is often associated with nocturnal beauty, as many species of Cestrum, including these, bloom or release their fragrance at night, inviting admiration even in darkness.
- Mystery and Enigma: The nighttime flowering of the Orange Jessamine can symbolize mystery or enigmatic qualities, as its blossoming is shrouded in the night.
- Attraction and Allure: With its vibrant orange flowers and sweet aroma, the Orange Jessamine can represent attraction and allure, much like its namesake, the jasmine, is renowned for its pleasant fragrance and beautiful flowers.
- Adaptability and Resilience: As the Orange Jessamine is capable of adapting to different environments and continues to flower in varying conditions, it may represent adaptability and resilience in the face of challenges.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Orange Jessamine should be watered regularly to maintain a consistently moist soil, particularly during its active growth in the spring and summer. Aim to water deeply once a week, providing about 1-2 gallons for outdoor plants, depending on the size and the weather conditions. Reduce watering frequency in the fall and winter when the plant's growth slows down, but do not let the soil become completely dry. Ensure that the plant has good drainage to prevent root rot. Container plants may require more frequent watering, especially if they are exposed to full sun or during hot spells, so checking the soil moisture every few days is advisable.
Light
Orange Jessamine thrives best in full sun to partial shade. A spot that receives at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight is ideal, allowing for some dappled shade in the afternoon, especially in hotter climates. If grown indoors, place it in a south or west-facing window to ensure it receives ample light throughout the day.
Temperature
Orange Jessamine prefers a warm climate and does well in temperatures ranging from 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit but should be protected from frost. The optimal growth temperature is within the range of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pruning
Prune Orange Jessamine to maintain its shape and encourage bushier growth. Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Remove any dead or damaged branches and lightly shape the plant as needed. Pruning can be done annually or biannually, depending on the plant's growth and the desired form.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Orange Jessamine thrives in well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. A good mix can be made of equal parts loam, peat moss or coconut coir, and perlite or sand to ensure proper drainage and aeration. Regularly check the pH level and adjust it if necessary to maintain the plant's health.
Repotting
Orange Jessamine should be repotted every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and encourage healthy growth. Younger, actively growing plants may need repotting more frequently, while mature plants can be repotted less often. Always repot in spring or early summer when the plant is entering its active growing phase.
Humidity & Misting
Orange Jessamine prefers moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 40% to 60%. The plant will benefit from regular misting or the use of a humidifier in drier environments. Avoid overly dry air, as it may cause leaf tips to brown and stress the plant.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Orange Jessamine in bright, indirect light and water when topsoil is dry.
- Outdoor
  Plant Orange Jessamine in partial sun; protect from harsh conditions.
- Hardiness zone
  9-11 USDA
Life cycle
Cestrum aurantiacum, commonly known as Orange Jessamine, begins its life as a seed, often dispersed by birds that feed on its berries. Upon germination, which requires warm temperatures and moist soil, the seedling emerges, going through a phase of rapid vegetative growth where it develops a root system and foliage. It progresses to a juvenile plant and over time matures into an adult, which is characterized by the formation of woody stems and the capability to flower and fruit. The blooming stage occurs periodically throughout the year in warmer climates, displaying clusters of tubular orange flowers that attract pollinators. Following pollination, the flowers develop into berries that contain seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. These berries eventually fall or are eaten and dispersed, allowing the cycle to begin anew with the germination of new seeds.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to summer
- The most popular method of propagation for the Orange Jessamine (Cestrum aurantiacum) involves taking softwood cuttings in the late spring or early summer when the plant's growth is most vigorous. To propagate, select a healthy stem that has new growth but is not overly mature and cut a segment about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long. Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone powder or gel to encourage root development. Plant the cutting in a well-draining potting mix, ensuring that the cut end is buried approximately 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters) deep. The pot should be kept moist, not waterlogged, and placed in indirect light. Rooting can be aided by covering the pot with a plastic bag to maintain humidity, but make sure to ventilate regularly to prevent mold growth. Roots typically develop within a few weeks, after which the plant can be gradually acclimated to its new environment.