Datura aka Jimsonweed, Moonflower
Datura stramonium
Warning:
Be very careful when handling this plant. All parts and species of Datura are
extremely poisonous and psychoactive, especially their seeds and flowers,
which can cause respiratory depression, arrhythmias, fever,
delirium, hallucinations, anticholinergic toxidrome, psychosis, and death,
if taken internally. Some people are allergic and have a reaction
when touching. Handle the whole plant with care and with gloves! Many modern practitioners prefer to work with this plant spirit via
meditation, flower essences, or dreamwork rather than ingestion. Do not use any part as compost. Do not plant near other nightshade
families like tomatoes.
Note:
All parts of this plant are hazardous to pets and people, belonging to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Please do your research!
Care instructions/Growing:
Prior to sowing, soak seed for 24 hours in lukewarm water. Sow in cell packs or flats, press into soil and barely cover. Needs light to germinate. Kept at 60-70° F., germination is in 3-4 weeks. Transplant into 3 inch containers when seedlings are large enough to handle. When rooted, place into the garden 4 ft. apart.
They need full sun and rich fertile earth that drains well. Sow seeds directly outside into a prepared bed in fall in warmer climates and in early spring after all danger of frost has passed in cooler climates.
Maintenance:
Protect from frost.
Key Metaphysical Properties:
In folklore and plant spirit work, she is sometimes seen as an umbilical cord descending from the moon — a bridge between earthly perception and otherworldly understanding.
Spirit Communication and Journeying:
Datura is used to facilitate communication with spirits, ancestors, and the divine. It is considered a master of facilitating "spirit flight" or astral travel, allowing the spirit to travel to the Upper or Lower Worlds
Protection and Hex Breaking:
It is often planted around homes or placed near boundaries to protect against evil, banish negative energy, and break hexes
Transformation and Death Transition:
Due to its association with the underworld, Datura is used to explore the mysteries of death and rebirth. It is sometimes connected to dark goddesses like Hecate and Baba Yaga
Inner Wisdom and Truth:
It is said to help cut through illusions, offering clarity in seeing the true nature of reality, even when that reality is harsh.
The Divine Feminine:
The night-blooming, white, trumpet-shaped flowers are often associated with lunar energy and the dark divine feminine.
Dual Nature:
atura represents the union of beauty and danger, serving as a seductive but treacherous plant that can cause "madness" if approached without respect.
Planetary/Elemental:
Let seed heads turn brown and dry on the stem before collecting to plant for the next season.
Harvesting Seeds:
While often associated with Saturn due to its poisonous nature, it is sometimes linked to Venus (love magic) and Mars (warfare).
Important Safety Warning:
Sacred Datura is extremely toxic and can cause permanent organ damage, coma, or death if ingested.
Little Witch’s Knowledge:
These are perfect for your moon garden and magickal apothecary!
She takes my breath every time I go into the garden and see her. These seeds are from my datura from 2025. They can grow from 3 to 5 feet, these came from mine from last year and she was 5’. The flowers are very sweet smelling and when the leaves or stems are bruised it does smell like a bit of rancid peanut butter. The flowers open up close to dusk and close after dawn. They attract hummingbirds, hummingbird moths, sphynx moths, honey bees and other insects. After she flowers she will form a walnut shaped fruit with spikes, snip each pod off when brown to save the seeds or she will self seed everywhere.
