Angel’s Trumpet Plant: Overwintering, Multiplying And Cutting Of Brugmansia

Which location is best for the angel trumpets plant (also called Brugmansia)? Are angel trumpets hardy? We reveal everything about planting and caring for the angel’s trumpet. The affectionate name of this plant genus alone suggests how much admiration it is met with: Angel’s trumpets ( Brugmansia ) are extremely popular ornamental plants. They are also very popular among collectors and breeders.

The shrub or tree-shaped trumpet plants can be kept perfectly as potted plants and beautify every home. Angel’s trumpets not only delight with their splendor of flowers but also give off a bewitching scent. However, this can only be heard in the late evening and night hours. You can find more exciting facts and care tips about the angel’s trumpet in our detailed plant portrait.

Angel’s trumpets: flowering time, origin and characteristics

The beautiful trumpet plants are not indigenous. They originally come from South America, where they thrive outdoors at a wide variety of altitudes. The angel’s trumpet was introduced to Europe as an ornamental plant and is mainly kept there as a container plant due to the climatic conditions. In the Mediterranean area, some varieties can also survive in the wild. The tree- or shrub-shaped plants reach heights of between 2 and 5 meters and usually form hanging, calyx-shaped flowers. The flowering time, scent, and color of the flowers vary greatly between the different varieties.

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Angel trumpet types: Colorful angel trumpets for the garden

The genus Brugmansia includes numerous wild species and cultivated varieties. Not infrequently there are also hybrid forms that were bred from different species. Each variety has different properties and is therefore suitable for different types of husbandry in different ways. In the following, we present you with a diverse selection of brightly colored angel trumpets.

White varieties of a trumpet flower

Brugmansia arborea is one of the classic, white angel’s trumpets. This wild species originally comes from the Colombian Andes and is, therefore, quite a robust angel’s trumpet. The plant has rather small flowers, about 15 cm long, which are less profuse but bloom quite early in the year. In addition, this trumpet plant exudes a bewitching, floral scent.

Another white angel’s trumpet is the hybrid Brugmansia x candida, which was crossed from the species Brugmansia Versicolor and Brugmansia aurea. The “White Angel Trumpet” is a very strong and robust variety that can withstand bad weather conditions. The crossbreed is therefore a very popular trumpet plant that is also well suited for beginners.

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Red angel trumpets

Brugmansia sanguinea is native to Colombia and Chile. The species smells very little, but beguiles with elongated, red flowers and is therefore also called the blood-colored angel’s trumpet. A special feature of this variety is its flowering time: In contrast to other species, Brugmansia sanguinea flowers rather late in the year and we enjoy the blaze of color over the winter. However, this trumpet plant is less suitable for beginners, as it is quite susceptible to diseases and sensitive to moisture.

Purple angel trumpets

The hybrid Brugmansia x Flava does not exude such a beguiling scent as its sisters. Instead, the variety enchants with long, tubular, dark-purple to red flowers that shine mainly in spring and autumn. However, since the hybrid is very susceptible to disease and improper care, it is also more suitable for more experienced hobby gardeners.

Yellow angel trumpets

Brugmansia aurea is also called the golden angel’s trumpet because of its mostly yellow, rarely white flowers. The species, which originally comes from Ecuador, grows up to 6 m high, has large, bright flowers, and exudes a pleasant scent. Unfortunately, Brugmansia aurea is often attacked by pests in our country.

The Brugmansia suaveolens also often shine in delicate or more intense yellow tones. With this species, the color is not always clear and can vary from white to yellow to pink. But it is very undemanding and well suited for beginners. In addition, the plant gives off a very intense smell and is therefore also called the fragrant angel’s trumpet.

Plant angel’s trumpets: location and soil

Angel trumpets are frugal when it comes to the choice of location and earth. Basically, any type of potting soil can be used. Since the trumpet plants have a high water requirement in summer and especially on hot days, soil with good water storage and little cuttings is recommended. Many use peat-rich soil for this.

But think about this step carefully, because peat has many questionable and environmentally harmful properties: When the raw material is broken down, large amounts of carbon dioxide are released and valuable ecosystems are destroyed. You should therefore water a little more often on hot days and use peat-free soil, which is not only 100% peat-free, but also particularly sustainable and reduced by up to 60% CO2 compared to conventional soils.

Although many breeds tolerate direct sun well, angel trumpets thrive best in partial shade. The water loss on hot days can also be contained there. Ideally, the plant is also protected from excessive weather conditions, as heavy rain and hail can quickly damage the sensitive leaves.

Angel Trumpet Care: Our Tips for Brugmansia

As already mentioned, Brugmansia needs a lot of water in summer. You should therefore water regularly, but avoid waterlogging. You will notice very quickly how much water your plant needs because if there is a lack of water, the trumpet plants quickly let their leaves droop. This is not a problem, but a clear invitation to you to water more in the future.

Cut angel trumpets

Since the trumpet plants can grow several meters in size, it is advisable to prune the plants regularly. It is best to cut back your angel trumpets radically in the late year before wintering. The desired size of the plant should be determined very early, as only the new, still green branches should be cut off. The older, lignified areas, on the other hand, should be avoided, as otherwise growth at this point will be radically slowed down. Wear gloves as a precaution when cutting the poisonous plant.

Fertilize angel trumpets

All Brugmansia varieties need a lot of nutrients and therefore need to be fertilized regularly. The fertilizer application should begin at the beginning of the growth phase in March or April. A normal plant fertilizer can be used throughout the summer, or a special growth fertilizer can be added at the beginning. For a vigorous growth pattern and magnificent flowers, generous fertilization should be used – over-fertilization is almost not possible.

Since the angel’s trumpets prefer to be fertilized over the entire growth and flowering phase, a fertilizer with a long-term effect is also suitable. This mainly organic fertilizer not only guarantees a 3-month long-term supply but is also sustainable, ecological, and free from animal ingredients.

Increase angel trumpets

Angel’s trumpets can be propagated via seeds as well as cuttings. However, the route via cuttings is the easier one and therefore more suitable for beginners. In the following, we will tell you how you can succeed in increasing your favorite trumpets.

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Sow angel’s trumpet seeds

If you want to propagate your trumpet plant from seeds, you can collect them from the flowers and dry them over the winter. Here, however, you should be careful with hybrid varieties: you never know what properties the new plants will develop. The seeds can also be easily bought from specialist retailers. For sowing, the seeds first have to soak in water for 24 hours and can then be transferred to potting soil. Always keep the soil warm and moist afterward. You can also cover the vessels with glass or transparent film, but make sure you air them regularly to prevent mold. The germination time can vary between a few weeks and 2 months depending on the variety and time of year.

Propagate angel’s trumpet by cuttings

The propagation of angel trumpets via cuttings is possible throughout the summer. To do this, pieces about 10 cm in size are simply cut from the crown of the tree, the lowest leaves are removed and the stems are dipped about 4 cm deep in potting soil. Keep the cuttings in partial shade at around 20 ° C and moisten the soil without creating waterlogging. After 3 – 4 weeks enough roots should have formed so that the cuttings can be repotted. However, the pruning can also be used as cuttings in the late year and wintered together with the mother plant. In this way, enough roots should have formed in spring.

Hibernating angel’s trumpet: is the trumpet plant hardy?

Angel trumpets are not hardy. That is also the reason why the beautiful ornamental plants are mainly kept in pots. The angel’s trumpet can also be planted directly in the garden, but that makes the wintering process a little more complicated. As a container plant, the trumpet plant can easily be moved to suitable winter quarters, such as a garage or cellar. Pay attention to a minimum temperature of around 10 ° C. In addition, water your angel’s trumpet only about once a week in winter and avoid too much moisture. To prevent fungal infestation, adequate ventilation should also be aimed for.

Are angel trumpets poisonous?

Angel’s trumpets belong to the nightshade family and, like many other plants in this group, contain poisonous alkaloids. This problem affects all parts of the plant, so gloves should be worn when pruning, and food contact should be avoided. Consumption of the plant should also be avoided.
In some cultures, Brugmansia is also used as an intoxicant because they are said to cause hallucinations and an ecstatic state. Since the wrong dosage can also lead to symptoms of poisoning here, it is also not advisable.

Common diseases and pests of the angel’s trumpet

The more sensitive varieties of the angel’s trumpet are particularly susceptible to viral or fungal diseases. The latter can be avoided with proper care and adequate ventilation at the site. But also predators such as caterpillars, aphids, or snails like to tamper with angel trumpets. Grasshoppers leave particularly severe damage to their animals and should therefore be removed immediately.