How to Grow and Care for Brugmansia (Angel's Trumpet)

The show-stopping hanging trumpet-shaped flowers of brugmansia (also known as angel's trumpet) make this plant a delight for any garden. Grown either as a woody shrub or small tree, angel's trumpet is a tropical plant that does best with full sun and ample water. Brugmansia is best planted in midspring when outdoor temperatures no longer drop below 50 degrees at night. The plant will grow quickly, often between 24 to 36 inches a year. All parts of the angel's trumpet plant are toxic to humans, dogs, and cats.

Brugmansia Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing brugmansia:

• Grows best in full sun
• Ample water is needed
• Almost any soil will suit
• Needs moderate to warm temps; should not be kept outdoors lower than 50 degrees Farenheit

Light

The best place to plant angel's trumpet is in a spot that boasts full sun. However, in especially hot or dry environments, it can stand to have a bit of shade, especially during the warmer afternoon hours. Angel's trumpet needs between six and eight hours of sunlight daily to thrive and produce the best blooms.

Soil

Angel's trumpet is perhaps the least picky about its soil. It can exist happily in almost any blend, from sand and clay to loam and richly organic mixtures. The most crucial factor is the soil's drainage.

Brugmansia does not like to be waterlogged but prefers consistently moist soil, so there's a delicate balance. If growing in pots, this plant will typically do well in a potting mix designed for azaleas and camellias. If planted in nutrient-poor soil, be prepared to fertilize the plant often, as brugmansia is a heavy feeder.

Water

Angel's trumpet is a very thirsty plant that needs to be watered well—and often. If growing angel's trumpet in a pot, ensure ample drainage holes at the base, so the plant doesn't get waterlogged. Root rot can occur if the soil remains soggy. The exact watering cadence for your plant will depend on the weather and the method of planting (container vs. in-ground).

Brugmansia needs more water when the weather is warm. Container specimens may need to be watered twice a day during the peak of summer. Never let the soil dry out; give your plant at least three inches of water a week.

Temperature and Humidity

Generally, an angel's trumpet can withstand moderate to warm temperatures and should not be kept outdoors if the temperatures dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in an environment where fall or winter gets cold, plant your brugmansia in a container that you can move to a dark, frost-free place (like a garage) before the first frost of the season. You can allow it to go dormant.

Fertilizer

Like many other plants with large, spectacular blooms, angel's trumpet should be fertilized at least once a week (larger plants can even be fertilized twice a week). Use a water-soluble fertilizer, and avoid slow-release formulas, as these do not work fast enough for the plant. Bloom-boosting fertilizers, such as 15-30-15 or 10-50-10 mixtures, are best. For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.

Types of Brugmansia

Brugmansia species have distinctive, drooping trumpet-shaped flowers, and most produce sweetly-scented blooms that open at night. The most significant difference between each species is bloom color.

• Brugmansia suaveolens: Native to Brazil, this cream-colored blooming plant is one of the most popular species.
• Brugmansia aurea: This plant sports yellow blooms and is often called a golden angel's trumpet. It's native to Ecuador and Venezuela.
• Brugmansia sanguine: This red-flowering species has no scent and is commonly pollinated by long-billed hummingbirds. It is native to Colombia and Chile.
• Brugmansia vulcanicola: Native to the Andean Mountains ranging from Colombia to Ecuador, this salmon-colored specimen is considered the rarest brugmansia. Its 'Rosa Lila' hybrid is a rose-colored cultivar.
• Brugmansia arborea: This plant features the shortest angel's trumpet flowers, often a whiter cream color than most.
• Brugmansia versicolor: This species from Ecuador has the largest flowers in pale apricot.
• Brugmansia' Cypress Gardens': Best for containers, the young plants often flower at 3 feet in height with dozens of white flowers that fade to a light salmon with age.

What's the Difference Between Brugmansia and Datura?

Brugmansia and datura are interchangeably called angel's trumpets. They look similar, come from the Solanaceae family, and are toxic plants. However, brugmansia plants can grow up to 20 feet tall with larger, pendulous flowers that face downward, lasting longer.

The datura plant only grows up to 4 feet tall; its trumpeting flowers face upward; and its round, spiny seed pods self-sow easily. Brugmansia has smooth, elongated seed pods that do not self-sow. Datura flowers are usually white or white and purple, while brugmansia flowers are white, yellow, or peach.

Pruning

Although they do not require pruning, trimming brugmansia will keep the plant producing flowers constantly. If growing it as a small tree, begin to prune when the main trunk forms its first "Y" and choose a central leader as the trunk. Systematically prune away older branches and stems to encourage the plant to produce more branches. Angel's trumpet flowers will eventually appear on the terminal ends of the stems.

The best time to prune brugmansia is typically in the fall. Keep at least six to 10 nodes on the branches. Wear gloves when pruning, as the sap can irritate skin. Pruning a container brugmansia to a desired height or shape will not affect the size or frequency of the flowers.

Propagating Brugmansia

Brugmansia can be propagated through seeds and cuttings. The best time to get a stem cutting is in the morning. Attempt propagation in the spring for the best success. Stem cuttings are the best method because the plant will mature quicker than from seed. Here's how to propagate from a stem cutting:

1. You will need potting soil, a pot, gloves, pruning shears, and, optionally, rooting hormone.
2. Don the gloves and cut a stem of semi-ripe wood, measuring back 10 inches from the tip of the selected cutting. Make a cut 1/4-inch below a set of leaves using the pruning shears. Strip off the bottom set of leaves just above the cut to expose the leaf nodes. 
3. Apply rooting hormone to the cut end and bury the cut end in moistened potting soil. Firmly pack the soil around the stem to hold it up.
4. Put the pot in a slightly shady spot, and cover the pot with plastic. Water the plant from the bottom by placing the pot with its bottom-set drainage holes in a tray of water.
5. After a few weeks, the cutting will develop a good root system and can be transplanted into the garden or a larger pot.

You can also root cuttings in water. Place the cuttings in a jar with two to three inches of water, and change the water every two days to avoid bacteria growth. Pot up the cuttings into containers filled with potting soil once they have some root growth. More roots should appear in a few weeks.

How to Grow Brugmansia From Seed

Here are the steps for growing brugmansia from seed:

1. Moisten a quality potting mix in a pot and lay the seed on the soil surface.
2. Cover with about a quarter to one-half inch of soil.
3. Keep the soil moist.
4. Place the pot in a warm place and look for signs of germination. Germination can take two weeks to several months, but most seedlings will emerge within a month.

Potting and Repotting Brugmansia

Brugmansias can grow well in containers and are the way to go if you plan to keep them outdoors in a non-tropical zone. Plant brugmansia in a 24-inch diameter container. You will need to bring it in if the temperatures drop below 50 F.

Keep your potted brugmansia thoroughly watered while outside. Potted plants need more water than in-ground plants. Expect to water your outdoor brugmansia at least twice daily at the height of the season's hot, sunny days.

Most brugmansia will not grow to their full height if grown in a container. At most, the typical container-grown brugmansia will reach about 12 feet. Keep the plant pruned to maintain that size. Potted brugmansia should be gradually repotted as it grows to its final container—about 20 gallons in size.

Overwintering

Once winter sets in and outdoor temps drop below 50 F, bring in your brugmansia. You can treat it as a houseplant or allow it to go into dormancy. As a houseplant, give it light and water. Water it when the soil dries out, like any other houseplant. It may flower while inside if the temperatures are kept above 60 degrees, it receives adequate light, and it's fertilized well.

If you allow it to go dormant, place it in a dark garage, basement, or closet (not colder than 50 F). You can trim it back by one-third and not harm the plant. Only water it sparingly, about once a month. It may lose its leaves and look dead, but as long as the trunk is green, it's still alive.

As spring approaches, about a month before you can reintroduce the plant to the outdoors, gradually increase watering (about once a week). Put the plant in a sunny spot or give it a grow light for at least 8 hours. You should notice some new leaves or branch growth in about one week. Gradually acclimate the plant to the outdoors. After you put the plant back outside, its growth will boom, and you will notice its signature flowers within weeks.

Common Pests

Whiteflies are a big problem for brugmansia. Cabbage worms, spider mites, and aphids are also common. Other pests that may appear include cucumber beetles (in the midwestern United States), slugs and snails, fungus gnats (inside), and mealybugs.

To treat these pest infestations, use isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol on a cotton ball or swab to dab the insects. Another option, make a spray solution of equal parts water and isopropyl alcohol and spray the plant. You can also treat the plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap to repel pests.

How to Get Brugmansia to Bloom

Only a mature brugmansia will bloom. If you started your plant from seeds, it could take up to five years before you see blooms. Starting your brugmansia from a cutting might speed up the process, but it can still take about four years.

Bloom Months

Expect your Brugmansia to bloom late spring/early summer through September.

How Long Does Brugmansia Bloom?

Brugmansia usually blooms until fall, but in certain climates (and if given proper care) it can actually bloom all year round.

What Do Brugmansia's Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Brugmansia produces yellow, orange, white, and pink flowers that have a very beautiful and strong fragrance (similar to aniseed). The blooms are trumpet-shaped, 6 to 10 inches long, and face downward.

How to Encourage More Blooms

Brugmansia needs ample water to produce blooms and good drainage for good root health. Brugmansia is also a heavy feeder, requiring fertilizer regularly. If all of these factors are met, ensure it's not root-bound. If the container is too small, it may not produce flowers. Move it to a larger container, water it, and feed it.

Caring for Brugmansia After It Blooms

Feed every 2-3 weeks with a fertilizer. Make sure to keep outdoors during the growing season as this plant will not bloom indoors.

Common Problems With Brugmansia

This plant requires little care and eventually yields some of the most noteworthy blossoms in the garden. However, brugmansia is susceptible to pests and diseases that can compromise the health and longevity of the plant.

Stunted Plant Growth and Blotches

Mosaic virus and tomato spotted wilt are common viruses that affect plants in the Solanaceae family. They both can cause stunted plant growth and irregular streaking or blotches. Though the plant may survive and bounce back with proper care, these viruses are permanent and cannot be cured. Avoid planting angel trumpets next to heirloom tomatoes or tobacco plants (Nicotiana spp.) to prevent these viruses.

Wilting Leaves

Fusarium and verticillium wilt are two fungal infections. Both fungi affect the roots and travel up the stem, stopping water from entering the plant and causing wilted foliage. Fusarium wilt usually occurs in warm weather, while verticillium is more common in cooler temperatures. There is no cure; you can only manage the disease. The fungi can live in the soil for a long time. The best bet is to start with new plants and new soil.

Blackening Leaves and Smelly Odor

Root rot is a common fungal disease caused by excessive watering. You can prevent root rot by keeping the potting mix moist but never soggy. Decrease watering when temperatures drop in late summer or autumn. Root rot can be deadly, but if caught early enough, you might be able to save the plant. Pull the root ball out of the container; cut away rotten, mushy roots; sterilize the potting container; and plant the healthy portion of root in fresh, well-draining soil.