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Care of the plant Cestrum parqui or Green cestrum.

Care of the shrub Cestrum parqui or Green cestrum

The genus Cestrum, family Solanaceae, includes 170 species of shrubs native to tropical areas of America, especially Mexico. Some species are: Cestrum parqui, Cestrum elegans, Cestrum confertum, Cestrum aurantiacum, Cestrum nocturnum, Cestrum x cultum, Cestrum peruvianum.

Common names: Green cestrum, Willow-leaved jessamine. This species is native to Chile.

They are evergreen shrubs that reach 4 meters (13.12 feet) in height. They have bright alternate, lanceolate, full-edged leaves and a pretty light green color. They produce clusters of greenish-yellow tubular flowers. They bloom in spring and summer; sometimes they are also in late winter or autumn.

Green cestrum is used for hedges or bushy groups in the garden and in pots (70 cm/2.29 feet deep) for patios and terraces. Important: it is a very toxic plant if ingested by people or animals.

Cestrum parqui needs full sun or semi-shade exposure and temperatures above 8 ºC (46.4 ºF). It does not resist frost.

Willow-leaved jessamine prefers soft soil with plenty of manure. Planting is done in spring just after pruning.

Water twice a week at the rate of one bucket of water per plant.

Fertilize with compost or manure in the fall.

Prune intensively in early spring to strengthen the plant.

Cestrum parqui is a plant prone to aphids attack.

Green cestrum propagates by cuttings in spring or late summer; root in a sandy substrate.

Images of the shrub Cestrum parqui or Green cestrum

Cestrum parqui
Cestrum parqui
Cestrum parqui
Cestrum parqui
Cestrum alternifolium