Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia): Growing & Safety for a Dramatic Tropical Shrub

Angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia spp.) is a South American subtropical shrub with huge, fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers (4–24″) in white, yellow, pink, or orange. Fast-growing to 25 ft, it blooms year-round in frost-free zones; elsewhere, grow in pots and overwinter indoors.

Growing Outdoors

• Site: Wind-protected, full sun, well-drained soil.
• Planting: Early spring. Amend with 2-10-6 fertilizer; water in.
• Water: 2×/week until established; then weekly deep soaking.
• Fertilizer: Annual 6-10-4 before spring growth; water after.
• Pruning: At "Y" branching; cut old wood to 4″ for new flowering wood.

Overwintering

• Zones 1–8: Move pots indoors before 40°F nights; south/east window.
• Zones 9–10: Treat as perennial; mulch heavily.

⚠️ TOXICITY WARNING

All parts are highly toxic. Nightshade family. Ingestion causes hallucinations, paralysis, death. Wear gloves. Keep away from children and pets. Historically misused as hallucinogen with fatal results.

Grow for its breathtaking flowers—but with extreme caution.