Water
Water deeply when the top 5-7 cm of soil is dry. Desert Thorn-Apple prefers well-draining soil and can tolerate occasional drought. Overwatering can lead to root rot, especially in cooler temperatures.
Reduce watering in winter.
Also known as Small Datura
Safety note: This plant may be toxic to humans and pets. See toxicity details.
Datura discolor, the Desert Thorn-Apple, is a striking annual or short-lived perennial native to arid regions of North America, featuring large, trumpet-shaped white flow
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
High
100% intensity
Prefers full sun, at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Moderate
50% intensity
Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
Well-drained
50% intensity
Moderate
75% intensity
Thrives in warm temperatures, ideally between 20-30°C. Protect from frost.
Outdoor
50% intensity
Moderate
50% intensity
Feed during growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Reduce or stop in cooler months.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | Yes 5/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | Yes 5/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
All parts of the plant are toxic, containing tropane alkaloids such as atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine.
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water deeply when the top 5-7 cm of soil is dry. Desert Thorn-Apple prefers well-draining soil and can tolerate occasional drought. Overwatering can lead to root rot, especially in cooler temperatures.
Reduce watering in winter.
Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth.
You can also prune to control size and remove spent flower stalks.
Propagate from seed sown in spring after the last frost, or take cuttings from semi-hardwood in summer. Seeds may require scarification or stratification. Cuttings should be rooted in a well-draining medium.
Repot young plants annually or every two years in spring. Mature plants can be repotted less frequently, only when root-bound.
Use a well-draining potting mix, and choose a pot that is slightly larger than the current one.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Desert Thorn-Apple (Datura discolor)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Solanales |
| Family | Solanaceae |
| Genus | Datura |
| Species | Datura discolor |
Similar in genus Datura
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data