Brugmansia is a genus of flowering plants, also known as the Angel’s Trumpet Plants. The Angel’s Trumpet plants are native to South America. There are seven different plant species in this genus. All of these are flowering plants. Some of these plants are smaller and look like shrubs, but some can grow like small trees. They have long and thin woody stems. These stems contain a lot of beautiful green leaves and multi-color flowers. Due to their beautiful features, Angel’s Trumpet plants are grown as ornamental plants.
The Angel’s Trumpet plants are easy to grow in outdoor environments. But if you provide them with enough conditions, they can also be grown indoors as well. In the wild, plants from this genus are considered extinct species. They are only found in gardens and places. These plants are considered very toxic as they produce tropane alkaloids and other chemical compounds. These compounds are toxic to pets, and humans alike. Each species has its characteristics, some of which may resemble the other species and some may not resemble. Below is a list of these species.
Species
- Brugmansia aurea: This species is commonly known as the Golden Angel’s Trumpet plants. They were found in the Andes mountains in Venezuela to Ecuador. It is known for its yellow pendulous flowers and multi-branched stem.
- Brugmansia insignis: This species of Angel’s Trumpet Plants was found in eastern parts of the Andes mountains in Colombia, and Bolivia. According to the IUCN Red List, this species is also considered to be extinct in the wild as well.
- Brugmansia suaveolens: This species of Angel’s Trumpet Plants is also known as the White Angel’s Trumpet. It was native to Eastern Brazil, but now it is only found in cultivation. According to the IUCN Red List, it is also an extinct-in-wild species and needs to be protected. It is known for its white flowers.
- Brugmansia versicolor: This is a species of Angel’s Trumpet that is native to Ecuador. It is also one of the extinct-in-wild species. Its flowers have a pinkish color and are larger than other species.
- Brugmansia arborea: This is a species of Angel’s Trumpet that is native to Chile and Ecuador. It is known for its white-yellow flowers.
- Brugmansia sanguinea: Brugmansia sanguinea is a species of Angel’s Trumpet that is native to Chile and Ecuador. Flowers of this species have two different colors, they are pink and yellow on the outer side, while entirely yellow from the inside.
- Brugmansia vulcanicola: This is a species of Angel’s Trumpet that is native to Chile and Ecuador. It has beautiful flowers that are pink from the outside and yellow from the inside.
Overview
| Common Name | Angel’s Trumpet Plants |
| Scientific Name | Brugmansia |
| Genus, Family | Brugmansia, Solanaceae |
| Size, Type | Medium size, shrubby plants, and small trees. |
| Color of stem, leaves, and flowers | Brown Stem, Green Leaves, Pink, Yellow, and White Flowers. |
| Flowering Season | Spring Season. |
| Perennial/Annual. | Perennials, and Evergreen. |
| Hardiness | 8 to 11 USDA Hardiness zones. |
| Temperature range | Above 35 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Sunlight | Conditional full sunlight to a partial shade environment. |
Lineage
The Angel’s Trumpet Plants belong to the Brugmansia genus, which is a member of the Solanaceae family. There are two sub-groups in this genus, Brugmansia and Sphaerocarpum. These seven species are known for their flowers and fruit. Their flowers and fruits are unique in many ways. For example, they do not contain any spikes or spines. Their flowers are pendulous and are shaped like a bell. These flowers are also known for producing a lot of chemicals including some toxic chemicals as well.
Uses
The Angel’s Trumpet Plants were used by the primitive populations of the Andes Mountain ranges for multiple purposes. Chemicals extracted from these plants were used as medicine. Apart from this, they were also used for other purposes as well.
Even today, they are used for the extraction of a lot of medicinal chemical compounds. They are used in the treatment of diseases such as orchitis, arthritis, rheumatism, and many others. Now they are only cultivated only for ornamental purposes. They are used as a boundary in outdoor gardens.
Appearance
Some species of the Angel’s Trumpet Plants are small and shrubby with a lot of branches. Meanwhile, other species are slightly bigger and are shaped like a tree. Each species has its plant size. Smaller plants reach only 3 meters, while the larger plants can be as high as 11 meters. The Angel’s Trumpet Plants grow a lot of branches. Their leaves are green, long, and wide. They have uneven edges on both ends. The Angel’s Trumpet Plants have very unique flowers. Their flowers are shaped like a bell. They come in multiple colors and sizes depending on the species that you choose. These flowers hang with the branches like a pendulum.
Flowering
The Angel’s Trumpet Plants produce beautiful flowers during the spring season. In warm areas, they start producing flowers as early as March, but in some cold regions, they might start producing flowers late. Their flowers are known for their multi-color and beautiful shape. These pendulous flowers grow in a large number during spring. These flowers produce a very pleasant smell. After the pollination, these flowers turn into fruits. These fruits contain seeds of the Angel’s Trumpet Plants. These seeds are used for the next cultivation.
Natural Habitat
The natural habitat of the Angel’s Trumpet Plants is the Andes Mountain region of South America. Mostly they were seen in the wild in these countries, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Brazil, and Ecuador. But now, they are only found in the farms and gardens. They no longer exist in their native regions.
Facts
Below are some basic facts about Angel’s Trumpet Plants
- The Brugmansia is a genus of flowering plants.
- All plants in this genus produce toxic chemicals.
- They are considered extinct in the wild and are only present in farms and gardens.
- Brugmansia has beautiful bell-shaped flowers. Each species has a different color in its flowers.
- Angel’s Trumpet Plants were native to Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Brazil, and Ecuador.
Requirements to Grow Angel’s Trumpet Plants
| Soil | Well-draining, nutrient-rich, and porous. |
| Sun | Full sun to partial shade, |
| Water | Depends on the age, size, season, and climate. |
| Fertilizer | Feed recommended fertilizers according to the guidelines. |
| Temperature | Must be above 35 F. |
Soil Requirements
The Angel’s Trumpet Plants need a well-draining and nutrient-rich soil to grow. If you are growing them in garden soil, make sure to add some sand to the soil before planting. Apart from the soil, add some compost and plant fertilizer as well. This will provide your plant the required nutrients for its growth. But if you are growing Angel’s Trumpet Plants in a container in indoor or outdoor settings, you must make sure to add a layer of pumice and perlite at the bottom of the container.
This layer of pumice and perlite stones will protect the soil and sand from moving out with water. Apart from this, it will make the soil more porous and would allow more air and water to pass. Also, add fertilizer and compost to the soil mixture as well. If your soil is clay, make sure to add some sand to it to make it well-draining. In this type of soil, the Angel’s Trumpet Plants will thrive.
Sunlight Requirements
The Angel’s Trumpet Plants can survive the full-sunlight environments in cold areas. In some hot areas, it might need protection in the early years of its life. You should plant it under the shade of other trees. This will help the plant avoid direct sunlight exposure during the mid-day. If you are looking forward to planting the Angel’s Trumpet Plants in an indoor setting, make sure it receives sufficient sunlight. Make sure to keep them in a bright environment in indoor settings. If you have a window that opens east or a place in your home where they can be kept and they can receive plenty of light.
Temperature Requirements
The Angel’s Trumpet Plants like to grow in moderate temperatures. They do not like to grow in cold or hot environments. They grow and thrive if the temperature is above 35 F. if the temperature falls below this, your plant’s growth will be impacted. Also, they do not like to grow in very warm climates. According to the USDA hardiness zones, they can grow in 8 to 11 zones. If you are growing them in a very cold region, you must protect them from the snow and as they are not cold-hardy plants. You can keep them indoors to protect them.
Water Requirements
The Angel’s Trumpet Plants need a frequent and regulated supply of water. Watering of the Angel’s Trumpet Plants depends on their age, size, season, weather, and other factors. So, you should create a watering chart or schedule for your plant-based on these factors. You should always check the soil before watering your plant. If the soil is wet, it means it has some water and you should wait. But if the soil has started to become dry, you should water your plant. Below are a few watering tips for Angel’s Trumpet Plants.
- Smaller plants need only a small amount of water. So, make sure that you do not overwater your small plant. This can kill the small plants. For that reason, make sure that you only provide a small amount of water.
- As the small plants start to grow, you can increase the amount of water and also the days between each watering. Because bigger plants need more water. You can change the watering schedule after every 5 to 6 months.
- In hot and dry areas and the summer season, the Angel’s Trumpet Plants will need more water and more frequent watering. For that reason, you should water your Angel’s Trumpet Plants more often in these areas.
- In cold, wet areas, and the winter season, the Angel’s Trumpet Plants need less frequent water. So, you can water the Angel’s Trumpet Plants less often during the winter season.
- To check the soil if your plant needs water or not. You should dip your finger in the potting soil to sense the moisture. If you find the upper layer moist, leave the plant for another day. But if the upper layer has started to dry, you should provide your plant some water immediately.
Fertilizers Requirements
The Angel’s Trumpet Plants need a lot of nutrients to grow and thrive. They get these nutrients from the soil. But as you know, soil only contains a limited amount of these nutrients. These nutrients in the soil quickly deplete. Once that happens, your Angel’s Trumpet Plants would need these nutrients and you will have to provide them in the form of fertilizers.
Fertilizers contain the basic elements and nutrients that are important for the growth of these plants. You can create a mixture of recommended fertilizer and water and feed this mixture to your plants, or you can just spread it around their stems. Make sure to check the soil for nutrient deficiencies and use the fertilizers that contain these depleted nutrients. You should fertilize your plants once a month.
Repotting
The Angel’s Trumpet Plants should be planted in a bigger pot, as they grow fast and can outgrow their pot very quickly. Once that happens, you should replant your Angel’s Trumpet Plants. Repotting is very important; it helps provide oxygen to the roots of your plant. Also, it provides the roots more room to grow in a new and bigger pot.
To replant the Angel’s Trumpet Plants, you should first prepare a bigger pot. Fill this bigger pot with the recommended type of soil. After that, uproot the Angel’s Trumpet Plant from its pot and shift it to the new pot. After that, provide it with some water and allow its roots to settle in the new pot. Repotting should be done after the spring season ends.
Pruning
The Angel’s Trumpet Plants need pruning once a year. If you do not prune the Angel’s Trumpet Plants, they bend because of the weight of their leaves and branches. For that reason, you should prune them once a year. It will help them maintain their shape and grow properly. To prune the Angel’s Trumpet Plants, you should first cut all the dead parts of the plant such as leaves, branches, and flowers.
After eliminating the dead parts, start cutting the extra parts of the plant. Do not excessively prune the plant as it will take extra time to recover after pruning. Pruning should be done in the fall season. Because after the fall, your plant will grow new leaves and branches and flowers.
Problems and Pests
The Angel’s Trumpet Plants are attacked by a lot of plant insects, including whiteflies, spider mites, cabbage worms, and aphids. They attack the leaves, stems, and flowers of the plant. You should keep checking your plants for ant infestation or attack. Early identification of the infestation can prevent severe damage to the plant. If you see signs of an attack, try using detergent to wash your plants. If this does not help, use appropriate chemical spray to kill these insects.
Propagation
The Angel’s Trumpet Plants are propagated through their seeds and cuttings. Seeds are produced after the pollination happens in the flowers. These flowers turn into fruits and these fruits contain seeds. You can store these seeds after drying them and plant them in the next planting season. Cutting is also one of the popular methods to grow the Angel’s Trumpet Plants. You should take cuttings from a mature plant and put them in the rooting hormone for a few days. These cuttings will develop small roots and then you can plant them in the new pots.
