Gardening Flowers Annuals How to Plant and Grow Moonflower The fragrance of moonflower often peaks at dusk, making it a good choice for evening gardens. By Lynn McAlpine Lynn McAlpine Lynn McAlpine is a lifelong gardener and long-time editor of gardening and home articles. Her work encompasses both print publications and online sites. She has hands-on experience with annuals and perennial beds, vegetable gardens, herbs, houseplants, and woodland management. Lynn has a B.A. in Journalism, Magazine Production from the University of Memphis and is a member of ACES, the American Copy Editors Society. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on April 26, 2024 Reviewed by Sylvia Duax Reviewed by Sylvia Duax Sylvia Duax has over 15 years of experience as a professional Horticulturist with expertise in: sustainable garden maintenance techniques; Southeastern U.S., especially in the mid-Atlantic regional gardening; native plants; wildlife gardening; small space, urban and container gardening and community engagement. Learn about BHG's Gardening Review Board In This Article View All In This Article Where to Plant Planting Tips Pests and Problems Propagation Types Companion Plants Garden Plans FAQs Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Mike Jensen Moonflower (Datura spp.) is one of the most striking plants you can grow. The large, trumpet-shaped flowers unfurl in the evening and stay open until the sun rises. Several varieties of moonflower also give off a lemon fragrance when their flowers are open. Moonflower, devil's trumpet, jimsonweed, and thorn apple are just a few of the many common names for this self-seeding annual. While the nocturnal blooms of moonflower are certainly breathtaking, the gray-green tropical-looking leaves are another attractive feature of this plant. Note: Another plant also goes by the name "moonflower," which causes confusion. Moonflower (Datura) and moonflower vine (Ipomoea alba) are different plants with different needs. This article is about moonflower (Datura). Moonflower Overview Genus Name Datura Common Name Moonflower Plant Type Annual Light Sun Height 1 to 3 feet Width 1 to 4 feet Flower Color White Foliage Color Blue/Green Season Features Fall Bloom, Summer Bloom Special Features Fragrance, Good for Containers, Low Maintenance Propagation Seed Problem Solvers Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant Where to Plant Moonflower Plant moonflower in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–9 where you can enjoy the evening fragrance of the flowers, such as in pots next to your porch swing. If you have pets or small children, make sure to place moonflowers out of reach. As beautiful as this plant may be, it is deadly if ingested. When planting moonflowers, site them in a spot out of reach of children and pets. This plant also has a weedy nature and, in some cases, can become an aggressive spreader. To keep this plant from taking over a garden, pick off the seed pods. How and When to Plant Moonflower These plants are frost tender, so they should be planted outside in the ground or in container gardens after the danger of frost has passed in the spring. Moonflower Care Tips Light Moonflower flourishes in sun to partial shade. Soil and Water Plant moonflower in soil that drains well and has a neutral pH. Water the plants regularly, but don’t let them sit in overly soggy soil or they'll rot. Fertilizer During the late spring/early summer blooming season, moonflower benefits from regular fertilization at half the regular strength. Use a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus, such as bone meal. Pests and Problems Moonflowers have few pest problems, although they might become infested with whiteflies, spider mites, or mealybugs. Most of these pests can be knocked off the plant with a strong spray of water from the hose. For more stubborn infestations, use neem oil or insecticidal soap. How to Propagate Moonflower As the life of the beautiful white blooms comes to an end, thorny pods begin to develop. Initially, the thorns are soft, but as they age and expand, they become hard and sharp. Wait until the seed pods dry on the plant. Then, break them open and collect the seeds. Sow them outside in the fall. Types of Moonflower As the name “moonflower“ suggests, many varieties open at night. The petals slowly unfurl as the evening comes. When morning arrives, the flowers curl up, reverting to their closed form. 'Blackcurrant Swirl' Moonflower Hirneisen Photography Datura 'Blackcurrant Swirl' offers double purple flowers on 5-foot-tall plants. 'Evening Fragrance' Moonflower Mike Jensen Datura meteloides bears pure-white flowers and fuzzy gray-green foliage on a plant that can grow 4 feet tall. Moonflower Companion Plants Cardoon Denny Schrock Few annuals are bolder or make more of a statement than cardoon (Cynara cardunculus). This stately plant can reach 5 feet tall and bears toothed, thistlelike, silvery leaves. The blooms look like silvery-violet artichokes and take a back seat to the plant's impressive foliage display. Though cardoon is perennial in Zones 7-9, they're usually grown as annuals. Spider Flower Matthew Benson It's amazing that the tall, dramatic spider flower (Cleome hassleriana) is only an annual. Once temperatures warm up, it zooms to 4 feet or more quickly and produces large balls of flowers with fascinating long seedpods that whirl out from it. It typically self-seeds prolifically, so you only need to plant it once. Because it develops surprisingly large thorns, it's best to keep spider flower away from walkways. Group them in clusters of six or more for best effect. Flowering Tobacco Peter Krumhardt Many types of flowering tobacco (Nicotiana) are terrifically fragrant, especially at night. There are several types of nicotiana (also called flowering tobacco because it's a cousin of the regular tobacco plant). Try the shorter, more colorful types in containers or the front of beds or borders. The taller, white-only types, which can reach 5 feet, are dramatic in the back of borders. They're ideal for night gardens because they're usually most fragrant at dusk. These plants do best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil, and they may reseed. Garden Plan for Moonflower Drought-Tolerant Garden Plan Peter Krumhardt This informal mixed garden bed features drought-tolerant trees, evergreen shrubs, perennials, and annuals. Download this plan! Frequently Asked Questions How do you tell moonflower (Datura) from moonflower vine? Moonflower (Datura) is a shrubby-looking plant that grows a few feet tall. Moonflower vine (Ipomoea alba) is—no surprise—a vining plant that can reach up to 16 feet in length. The latter has thorny pods, while the vine doesn't. Also, the leaves of Datura have an unpleasant scent when they are crushed. Can you touch moonflower? Not only is moonflower toxic when ingested, but it can cause skin irritation. Touching the plant or even its sap is advised against. It's best to avoid touching without gloves, especially if you have sensitive skin. Why is moonflower called devil's trumpet? Throughout history, there have been stories about poisons being made with this plant. It gets its nickname from both its toxicity and its shape. It has trumpet-shaped flowers that open in the night. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Better Homes & Gardens is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. Bliss, Molly. Datura Plant Poisoning. Clinical Toxicology Review. 2001; 23(6)