Orange Cestrum is a tropical shrub or vine native to North and South America. In its native habitat it may reach 15 feet tall but in cooler climates where it freezes back to the ground, it will grow to a height and width of about 5 feet. The top of the plant is hardy to zone 8 but it is root hardy to zone 7 making it a good option in many southern gardens. In the late spring through early fall it is covered with large tubular orange flowers. Plant it in the full sun though it does well with some afternoon shade, in average well-drained soil. When the plant dies back in the fall cut the stems back and apply mulch to protect the crown. It espaliers well, is deer resistant, and is a great plant for Xeriscape gardens as it is quite drought tolerant. Plant it in the back of a border, in a nighttime garden near a patio so you can enjoy the sweet-spicy citrus fragrance of the flowers. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. More information on Cestrum .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 16 ft. 0 in. | Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Oval to lance shaped entire margin shiny light green leaves up to 6 in. long. When crushed leaves are said to smell like wet dog.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower shape
Trumpet; Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Late spring or summer, 4 in. clusters of brilliant orange or yellow tubular or trumpet 5 petaled 1 in. long flowers. The blooms are night-scented, having a citrus aroma.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Gray/Silver; White
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit detail
Gray/white berries appear in summer but are unusual in non-tropical climates.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Mexico, South America
Wildlife value
Flowers attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.