Wildflower/Perennial · Sonoran native
Sacred Datura
Datura wrightii · Solanaceae
Also called: Sacred Thorn-apple, Southwestern Thorn-apple, Jimsonweed, Indian Apple, Toloache, Angel Trumpet
Sacred Datura (Datura wrightii) is a very low-water wildflower/perennial native to the Sonoran Desert region well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It grows to 2-3 ft H x 4-6 ft W (sprawling, mounding) in full sun to part shade, with a fast growth rate.
Sacred Datura at a glance
- Water use
- Very Low (established)
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Mature size
- 2-3 ft H x 4-6 ft W (sprawling, mounding)
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Bloom
- White (often blushed lavender/violet at the margins), large 6-8 in fragrant trumpet flowers, Late spring through fall (roughly April-October); flowers open in the evening and close by midday
- Cold hardiness
- Herbaceous perennial hardy to about 0-10 F (USDA zones 7-10); freezes back to the ground in Tucson winters and resprouts from a large perennial root in spring.
- Soil
- Very adaptable; sandy, gravelly, loamy, or clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates poor, dry, and disturbed soils.
- Native range
- Native to the Sonoran Desert and southwestern U.S. (Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas) and northern Mexico; grows in Arizona from about 1,000 to 7,000 ft elevation along roadsides, washes, and disturbed ground.
- Best used as
- Native/wildlife garden accent, Pollinator and moth garden, Naturalized desert areas, Erosion control, Evening/night (moon) garden for fragrance
- Wildlife
- Night-blooming flowers are pollinated by hawkmoths (sphinx moths, e.g. Manduca spp.); serves as a larval host plant for several hawkmoth species. Spiny seed capsules ('thorn-apples') disperse seed.
- Toxicity
- Highly toxic. All parts contain tropane alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine) and are poisonous if ingested by humans, pets, or livestock; ingestion can be fatal and contact can irritate skin and eyes. Keep away from children and animals.
How to grow Sacred Datura in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Extremely drought tolerant once established; survives on rainfall in Tucson. Occasional deep summer irrigation (every 2-3 weeks) produces lusher growth and more flowers, but it needs no supplemental water to persist.
Fertilizer & nutrients
No fertilizer needed; grows vigorously in native, unimproved desert soil. Excess fertility only encourages rank foliage.
Pruning & care
Remove frost-killed top growth in late winter; can be cut back hard to control its sprawling spread. Wear gloves and avoid contact with eyes/mouth when handling.
Notes
A tough, iconic Sonoran Desert wildflower with dramatic, fragrant evening blooms and round spiny seed pods. Best sited where its toxicity and sprawling, weedy habit are acceptable and where children/pets won't access it. Reseeds readily.
Sources: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension (Backyard Gardener / sacred datura factsheet); Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum; USDA Forest Service (Celebrating Wildflowers); Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center; Santa Fe Botanical Garden