Downy thorn-apple is a tender herbaceous perennial, often grown as an annual, with a 3 foot spread. In its native environment of the Southwestern United States, It is a member of the nightshade family (Solanaceae). It is usually found in sandy or gravelly dry open places. Several places now consider the plant to be invasive. All parts are extremely toxic if consumed. The plant displays 7 to 8 inch cream, pink, and lavender tubular flowers, which open in the evening, but only last to late afternoon of the next day. Flowers will bloom intermittently from mid-summer to frost. It is planted throughout the world as an ornamental for its attractive large leaves and flowers. Flowers are followed by downy, spherical fruit covered with stiff spines, hence the common name of downy thorn apple. Downy thorn-apple tolerates average soil, even alkaline or sandy soil, but prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It does not do well in full shade. It is winter hardy to USDA Zone 9 to 10. Most plantings of downy thorn apple are nursery plants; however, it can be started indoors from seeds about 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost and set plants out after that date. Plants tend to sprawl and should be spaced about 3 feet apart or staked and supported. Deadheading flowers is not necessary, but self-seeding may occur if the plants are not deadheaded. Seeds can be collected and saved for planting in the following spring. Container plants can be cut back and overwintered indoors in a sunny window. Species of Datura are sometimes confused with those of Brugmansia (also called angel's trumpet), but Datura flowers face upward, whereas Brugmansia flowers are pendulous. Use in a container or the border of a night or drought-tolerant garden. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Extremely susceptible to the viruses that afflict the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Downy thorn-apple should not be grown near potatoes or tomatoes.
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.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Creeping; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Sinuate
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf value
Fragrant
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Wavy-margined, dark green leaves (to 8 inches long) have a downy texture.
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Pink; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
> 6 inches
Flower detail
Seven to eight inch tubular flower; cream, pink, or lavender. Single or double, upward-facing trumpets (to 7 inches long and 4 inches wide at the mouth) have a sweetly overpowering fragrance. Blossoms from mid-Summer to first frost and opens in late afternoon and on cloudy days.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit detail
Capsule splits open irregularly when ripe to disperse its seeds. Seeds are long-lived and can remain dormant in the soil for many years.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Central America, Arizona to Texas and Mexico
Distribution
Eastern Canada and middle Atlantic United States. Africa, India, and Australia.
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
Poisonous. Use with extreme caution.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container
Landscape theme
Drought Tolerant Garden; Nighttime Garden
Design feature
Border; Specimen
Garden tags
#poisonous #ornamentals #attractive leaves #sprawling #herbaceous perennial #spreading #shrub #fragrant flowers #annual #problem for dogs #problem for cats #problem for cattle #problem for children #problem for horses #bat friendly #moth friendly
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs
Resistant to
Drought
Propagation
Seed
Poison severity
High
Poison parts
Flowers; Leaves; Stems
Poison symptoms
All members of this genus contain narcotics and are very poisonous, even in small dose.
Toxic principle
Contains several alkaloids, the most active of which is scopolamine.
Contact dermatitis
No
Toxicity summary
High severity poison; parts: Flowers; Leaves; Stems