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Moonflower cultivar

Datura metel

thorn‑apple

V Written by Editorial Team · Updated January 2026

Datura metel is a showy thorn apple grown for its large single or double trumpets in white, purple, or yellow. It stands out for striking flower forms and strong evening fragrance on compact, shrubby plants. It prefers sun, heat, and well drained soils and is often grown in containers. It is winter hardy only in mild climates and is treated as an annual in much of North America. Blooms unfold in late afternoon and often continue to early morning in warm weather.

Moonflower (Datura metel)
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Datura metel

thorn‑apple

At‑a‑glance

  • Group/Class: thorn‑apple
  • Height × spread: 3 to 4 ft × 3 to 4 ft (0.9 to 1.2 m × 0.9 to 1.2 m)
  • Bloom window: mid summer to frost
  • Color & flower form: white to gold to purple upright trumpets; often double
  • Fragrance: 3 strong
  • USDA hardiness: zones 8 to 11; grown as annual elsewhere
  • Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown
  • Pet safety: avoid

How it differs

  • More compact than many thorn apples and well suited to large containers.
  • Often offers double flowers and deeper colors than other species.
  • Fragrant evening display with blooms that are showy even in twilight.
  • All parts are poisonous and the seed capsules are warty to sparsely spiny.

Strengths

  • Striking flowers and fragrance.
  • Good heat performance with moderate drought tolerance.
  • Blooms over a long warm season.

Care in one minute

Site: full sun with protection from cold winds.

Soil and pH: rich but well drained soil; neutral to alkaline tolerated.

Water: water when the top inch is dry; avoid soggy conditions.

Feeding: light monthly feeding during bloom.

Grooming: remove spent blooms; wear gloves when handling.

Overwintering: outside zones 8 to 11 grow as an annual or overwinter a container indoors in bright light.

Watch‑outs

  • All parts are highly toxic if ingested.
  • May attract whiteflies, mealybugs, and spider mites.
  • Needs sharp drainage to avoid root problems.

Best uses (tags)

  • containers
  • night garden
  • specimen
  • heat tolerant

Provenance note

This long cultivated species has uncertain wild origins and is treated by Kew as a cultigen from the Americas.

References

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Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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