purple cestrum
Cestrum elegans
Overview
The Purple Cestrum (Cestrum elegans) is an amazing sight throughout the growing season. Its large panicles of tiny purple flowers bring a vibrant, exotic look to any garden. What's even more amazing is that it is incredibly low-maintenance, preferring only to be watered well and kept in full sun to partial shade. It is a very adaptable plant, tolerating both drought and light frost. It's also fast-growing and disease-resistant, making it an ideal choice for those who want to add a unique, long-lasting statement to their borders.
Care Guide
Watering
Purple Cestrum (Cestrum elegans) should be watered deeply once a week in the summer while its young, and every 2 weeks when it’s more mature. When watering, only give enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of 8 inches and allow the top few inches of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. During extreme heat, it may need to be watered more frequently.
Light
The purple cestrum plant species (Cestrum elegans) requires an average of 8 hours of sunlight each day. They thrive best in direct sunlight, so it is important to keep them in areas of the garden that have ample "sun exposure" all day long. Too much heat can be detrimental on young plants, so placing the plant in a part of the garden that is shaded from the afternoon sun is best.
Temperature
Hardiness zone 8-11.
Pruning
The ideal time to prune purple cestrum (Cestrum elegans) is in early spring. Pruning should be light, removing only dead or damaged parts of the plant. If pruning is necessary, it should only remove up to 1-third of the cestrum's foliage.
Propagation
Cutting, Layering Propagation, Grafting Propagation, Division, Seed Propagation
Uses & Symbolism
Attracts: Hummingbirds.
Related plants
Other plants you might like if you grow purple cestrum.
