Golden Trumpet Vine (Allamanda cathartica): Vigorous Climber with Yellow Trumpets

Botanical Name: Allamanda cathartica

Golden Trumpet boasts big, trumpet-shaped yellow flowers all summer and fall.

This Brazilian native needs warmth, humidity, and plenty of light. A sunny window, greenhouse, or sunroom is ideal. Move container to a sunlit porch or patio for summer if desired.

This tropical evergreen has vining stems densely covered with glossy, dark-green oval leaves. Scrolled flower buds emerge at stem tips in summer, opening to yellow trumpets up to 4 in (10 cm) wide.

Train Your Plant Provide a trellis for vigorous climbing stems and to show off glorious golden flowers.

Stems are more flexible than they seem, easy to weave through a trellis. Use soft plant ties to hold vines loosely—don't restrict growth—and re-tie as they grow.

Caring for Golden Trumpet Vine

Let the Sun Shine In Put in a sunroom or by a sunny window. Moving outdoors for summer gives more blooming power. Semi-sunny spot ideal. Bring inside before nights drop to 60°F (16°C).

Repot in Spring This is one of few flowering plants that grows well in a large container. Move up 1 pot size each spring as needed. Use drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Give It a Winter Rest Allamanda is tropical, not hardy—keep at room temperature. Though evergreen, growth slows in winter. Stop fertilizing, water sparingly, but never let soil dry completely.

Prune It Back Golden trumpet looks spectacular unpruned. To control size, prune in early spring—by half when necessary. Flowers form at new branch tips, so pruning gives more blooms. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

Watch for mealybugs and aphids—treat immediately.

CAUTION: Milky sap contains a strong toxin causing severe skin irritation. Wear gloves when handling.

Golden Trumpet Care Quick Reference

Origin: Brazil

Height: Up to 8 ft (2.4 m) if not pruned. Dwarf variety reaches ~15 in (38 cm).

Light: Bright light to full sun. At least 4 hours direct sunlight daily.

Water: Water thoroughly, allow top 2 inches (5 cm) to dry between waterings. Empty drainage tray to prevent soggy soil.

Humidity: Moderate to high (50%+ relative humidity). Use humidity tray or room humidifier.

Temperature: Average to warm, 65–80°F (18–27°C). Frost-tender—doesn't like cold at all. Tolerates min 60°F (16°C) in winter.

Soil: Any good-quality potting mix

Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks spring through fall with high-phosphorus liquid fertilizer diluted by half

Propagation: Take 3–4 in (8–10 cm) stem tip cuttings in early spring, root in moist soil. Heat mat gives best results.