PlantFun
Plant Needs
Characteristics
- Leaf: Large, ovate to heart-shaped leaves with serrated margins; soft, velvety green texture
- Flower: Fragrant, trumpet-shaped blooms (15–20 cm long) in white, pink, or purple; open nocturnally and wilt by midday
- Stem: Erect, branching green stems covered in fine, fuzzy hairs
Care Guide
Maintain evenly moist soil during active growth; increase watering frequency during prolonged heatwaves
Apply diluted balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks. Discontinue fertilization in autumn to prepare the plant for dormancy
Eggshell powder topdress：Grind dried, clean eggshells into a fine powder; sprinkle 1 teaspoon per pot around the base of the plant to boost soil calcium levels and prevent blossom end rot- Pinch back young stem tips to encourage bushy, compact growth
- Remove spent flowers promptly to promote continuous blooming throughout the growing season
- Cut back leggy or overgrown stems by one-third in mid-summer to maintain plant shape
- Dispose of all pruned material carefully, as all plant parts remain toxic
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets: ASPCA confirmed toxic; ingestion causes vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, hallucinations, and potentially fatal neurological distress
Humans: All plant parts contain tropane alkaloids; ingestion can cause hallucinations, delirium, seizures, or fatal respiratory failure
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: Historically used in traditional South Asian spiritual rituals due to its hallucinogenic properties; now widely grown as an ornamental with strict safety warnings
Usage: Ornamental flowering plant for garden borders or large indoor containers; never planted in areas accessible to children or pets
