Datura inoxia
Downy thorn apple, Indian apple, Horn of plenty
Also known as Datura meteloides
- Height × spread
- 1m × 1.4m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a curious and striking plant which has sturdy spreading branches, rich brown and spreading out horizontally. They support ample leaves, oblong or somewhat conical which make a solid low foliage clump. The flowers, white, are held vertically. They are white, large and rather fan shaped with flared mouths and the petal edge curving backwards, coming from a long slender green calyx. The flowers have a strong sweet fragrance. The fruits are curious, and give rise to the popular name, thorn apple. They are green, oval and spiny, co-existing with the flowers. It is a tender plant that is sometimes grown as an annual. The whole plant is poisonous. It stands up to 1m (3ft) high with a 1.4m (5ft) spread.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, sweet
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 1m
- Spread
- 1.4m
- Season of interest
- Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Scented garden, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Wall cover
- Walls
- South facing
- Hazards
- Yes, plant with caution; Humans: CAUTION toxic if eaten
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Winter
Winter · Outdoors
Water sparingly during dormancy
In its dormant period give very little water, keeping the soil barely moist. Dormancy is likely to be during the winter and the plant recommences growth in early to mid spring.
When a plant enters dormancy the leaves fade, go yellow and then brown. Eventually the whole plant may 'disappear' or unadorned stems may remain.