Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium)

How much light does a Jimsonweed need?

Jimsonweed does best in full sun, which means six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. It will also grow in part shade. In partial shade the plant becomes leggier and has fewer flowers. The flowers are white and purple, and they appear from July to September.

• Light: Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)^1,2

How often to water a Jimsonweed

The water need of jimsonweed runs from dry to medium. The source describes the plant as drought-tolerant. It also says the plant thrives in moist, well-drained soils of almost any type. Good drainage is part of the picture, since the plant is listed for well drained and moist soil. The same source calls it a fast-growing plant.

• Water: Dry to medium¹

Best soil for a Jimsonweed

Jimsonweed grows in soil that is listed as well drained and moist. The source says it thrives in moist, well-drained soils of almost any type. It adds that the plant prefers humus-rich soil. Datura is grown in full sun and well-drained soil, according to a university extension guide. No cited source records a preferred soil pH, so this page gives none.

• Soil drainage: Well drained and moist^1,2
• Soil pH: Tolerates acid, neutral and alkaline soil (NC State lists all three pH categories as suited)¹

Hardiness and temperature

Jimsonweed is listed for USDA hardiness zones 7a to 9b. The source names six zones: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a and 9b. Zone 7a is the cold end of that range. Zone 9b is the warm end. The plant is recorded as an annual. It flowers from July to September. No cited source records a minimum temperature or a humidity preference for this plant.

• Hardiness: Zones 7a–9b¹

How to plant a Jimsonweed

Choose a spot in full sun with well-drained soil. Allow room for a spread of 1.7 to 4 ft (0.53 to 1.22 m). Plants are erect and reach 1.7 to 4 ft (0.53 to 1.22 m) tall at maturity. The listed hardiness zones for this plant are 7a to 9b. Propagation is by seed. The US native status register records it as introduced in the lower 48 states, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Its native range is recorded under the codes MXC, MXE, MXG, MXN, MXS and MXT.

• Hardiness: Zones 7a–9b¹

Winter care

The hardiness listing for this plant runs from zone 7a to zone 9b. Its recorded plant type is annual. Seed is the listed propagation method. Blooms are recorded from July to September. Growth is rated as rapid. No cited source gives a frost threshold or a minimum temperature. The flowers are white and purple.

• Hardiness: Zones 7a–9b¹

How to propagate a Jimsonweed

You propagate jimsonweed from seed. Seed is the only propagation method recorded for this plant. The plant is recorded as an annual. Its growth rate is rated as rapid. The flowers are white and purple, and they appear from July to September. Plants reach 1.7 to 4 ft (0.53 to 1.22 m) tall at maturity.

• Propagation: Seed¹

Common problems

Spider mites, whiteflies, corn earworm, yellowstriped armyworm and tomato russet mite are recorded as common pests of jimsonweed. Cotton root rot is the disease recorded for this plant. Five pests and one disease make up the recorded problems.

• Common pests: spider mites, whiteflies, corn earworm, yellowstriped armyworm and tomato russet mite³
• Common diseases: cotton root rot³

Questions and answers

Is jimsonweed toxic to cats and dogs?

Jimsonweed is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs. The source describes it as a problem for cats and a problem for dogs. Both animals carry the same listing.

How much sun does jimsonweed need?

Full sun is preferred, which means six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. It grows in part shade too, but the plants become leggier and have fewer flowers.

Which hardiness zones suit jimsonweed?

It is listed for USDA zones 7a to 9b. It is an annual that grows rapidly. Plants reach 1.7 to 4 ft (0.53 to 1.22 m) tall.