The night-blooming jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum) plant
is aptly named because its white-yellow, tubular flowers bloom at night; the flowers close during the day. It belongs to the Solanaceae family, also known as the nightshade or potato family of plants. It is known for its scent and is quite possibly the strongest scented plant in the world. When in bloom, the flowers release a scent of sweet perfume that pervades the area within 300-500 ft of the plant.
Night Jasmine Information Commonly known as night blooming jasmine, night blooming jessamine, or lady-of-the-night (Cestrum nocturnum), it is not a true jasmine, at all, but is a jessamine plant of which are members of the nightshade (Solanaceae) family along with tomatoes and peppers. Jessamine plants are oftentimes referred to as jasmines because of their highly fragrant flowers and because their names are so similar. Like jasmine, jessamine plants can be shrubs or vines. Night blooming jessamine is a tropical evergreen shrub. Night blooming jasmine grows 8-10 feet (2-3 m.) tall and 3 feet (91 cm.) wide. Its evergreen nature and tall but columnar growth habit makes night blooming jasmine an excellent candidate for privacy hedges and screens. It bears clusters of small white-green flowers from spring through late summer. When the flowers fade, white berries form and attract a variety of birds to the garden. The overall appearance of night blooming jasmine is nothing spectacular. However, when the sun sets, night blooming jasmine’s small tubular flowers open, releasing a heavenly fragrance throughout the garden. Because of this scent, night blooming jessamine is commonly planted near the home or patio where its perfume can be enjoyed.

Night jessamine grows best in partial to full sun. Too much shade may cause lack of blooms, which means a lack of the sweet fragrance its night blooms provide. Night blooming jasmines are not particular about soil, but they do need to be watered regularly during their first season.

In North America, it grows best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 to 11. Known for its glossy green leaves and the heady fragrance of its small white flowers, night-blooming jasmine is best grown near a patio or window where you can enjoy its scent on summer evenings.