Growing Night Jessamine Indoors: Pot, Soil, Scent, and Safety

Night jessamine (Cestrum nocturnum) can thrive indoors with the right conditions, but its powerful nighttime fragrance may affect those with respiratory sensitivities.

Potting

Plant all three together in a pot no larger than 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. Use a mix of 2 parts inexpensive potting soil to 1 part perlite—avoid moisture-control mixes. Ensure the pot has drainage holes.

Watering

Let the soil surface dry for 2 days before watering again. The plant is not a swamp species; roots will rot if kept constantly wet.

Fragrance and Asthma

The blooms emit a strong scent at night that can trigger breathing difficulties, headaches, or nausea in sensitive individuals. Since it blooms only a couple of weeks per year, you can keep it in a closed spare room during flowering to protect your boyfriend.

Fertilizer and Pest Control

• Fertilizer: Water-soluble bloom booster (e.g., Miracle-Gro) monthly during active growth.
• Insects: Spray a mix of 50% rubbing alcohol, 50% water, plus a teaspoon of dish soap per quart. Apply every other day until pests are gone for two weeks.