Day King (Cestrum diurnum)

Day King is a fragrant, evergreen flowering shrub from the Solanaceae family, admired for its glossy foliage and sweet-scented blooms. Native to Central and South America, it is widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions as an ornamental garden plant.

This shrub typically grows between 60cm to 80cm in height and has dark green, oval-shaped, glossy leaves that create a lush appearance. It produces clusters of small, tubular flowers in shades of white to pale yellow. These flowers release a pleasant, jasmine-like fragrance, especially during the daytime, and bloom mainly in spring and summer. After flowering, the plant forms small black berries that are toxic if ingested.

Day King is commonly used in garden beds, borders, hedges, and containers. It is a hardy, adaptable plant that performs well in a range of growing conditions and requires minimal maintenance once established.

Caring for your Day King

Difficulty level: Easy
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Watering schedule: 2–3 times per week; allow topsoil to dry slightly between watering
Soil type: Well-draining, fertile soil
Humidity: Moderate
Fertilization: Once every 4–6 weeks during growing season
Pruning: Light pruning after flowering to maintain shape
Pet friendliness: Toxic if ingested