Angel's trumpet Brugmansia suaveolens
ABOUT
Brugmansia suaveolens, commonly known as Angel's Trumpet, is a perennial shrub with a distinctive and dramatic appearance. The plant is known for its large, pendulous flowers which resemble trumpets, hanging downwards from the branches. These flowers are the hallmark of the Angel's Trumpet and can be quite eye-catching. They are typically a creamy white, but can also be found in shades of pink or yellow. The leaves of the Angel's Trumpet are large, green, and somewhat coarse, with a smooth texture and slightly toothed edges, often arranged alternately on the stems. The plant itself has a bushy, spreading form and bears its magnificent blooms primarily during the warmer months. At night, the flowers are known to release a pleasant fragrance, which becomes more pronounced and can fill the surrounding air with a sweet, heady scent. Considering the plant's ornamental features, the Angel's Trumpet is often a center of attention in gardens and landscaping. However, it's important to note that all parts of the Angel's Trumpet are considered toxic if ingested, and they can cause adverse reactions upon contact with skin or when the plant matter is inhaled.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Angel's Trumpet, Angel Star, Brazilian White, Cornucopia, Datura, Floripondio, Moonflower, Wedding Bell
Common names
Datura suaveolens, Brugmansia suaveolens f. suaveolens, Pseudodatura suaveolens
ToxicityTo humans
Angel's Trumpet is highly toxic to humans if ingested. All parts of the plant contain tropane alkaloids such as scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and atropine. The symptoms of poisoning can vary based on the amount consumed but often include dry mouth, blurred vision, headaches, hallucinations, rapid pulse, fever, confusion, convulsions, paralysis, and potentially death. The severity of the toxicity can range from mild to life-threatening.
To pets
Angel's Trumpet is also highly toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. Like in humans, all parts of the plant contain dangerous alkaloids such as scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and atropine. Symptoms of poisoning in pets can include dilated pupils, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, dizziness, confusion, increased heart rate, muscle weakness, seizures, respiratory failure, coma, and potentially death. Prompt veterinary attention is required if a pet ingests any part of this plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
10-20 feet [3-6 meters]
Spread
6-10 feet [1.8-3 meters]
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
South America
Benefits
General Benefits- Landscape Aesthetics: Brugmansia suaveolens, commonly known as Angel's Trumpet, produces large, fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that enhance the visual appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Ornamental Value: The striking appearance and variety of colors available make Angel's Trumpet a popular choice for ornamental planting and garden design.
- Fragrance: The plant emits a pleasant, sweet scent, particularly in the evenings, which can create a delightful aromatic environment in outdoor spaces.
- Shade Provider: With its large leaves and substantial canopy, Angel's Trumpet can offer shade in garden settings, making it useful in creating comfortable outdoor sitting areas.
- Pollinator Attraction: The flowers can attract beneficial pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, supporting the local ecosystem.
- Cultural Significance: In some cultures, Angel's Trumpet is used in traditional ceremonies and has symbolic meaning, which may provide cultural enrichment in the right context.
Medical Properties- Anesthetic: Brugmansia suaveolens has been used in traditional medicine for its anesthetic properties, where leaves or flowers may be used to create a topical preparation to numb areas of the body.
- Antispasmodic: The plant has been reported to have antispasmodic properties, which could help in relieving muscle spasms.
- Anti-inflammatory: Some components within the plant are believed to have anti-inflammatory effects, potentially useful in reducing inflammation.
- Analgesic: There is historical evidence that Brugmansia suaveolens has been used for its pain-relieving properties, providing analgesic effects in various traditional medicine practices.
- Sedative: Traditionally, Brugmansia suaveolens has been used for its sedative effects, which may help to induce sleep or to calm the nervous system.
- Asthma Treatment: In certain traditional practices, this plant has been used to treat asthma, though modern medical usage is not supported due to potential toxicity.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Angel's Trumpet has been used as a hallucinogenic in shamanic rituals by South American indigenous tribes to induce visions and communicate with the spirit world.
- The plant has been employed in some cultures as a poison for hunting by coating arrow tips to subdue animals more quickly.
- Gardeners sometimes use Angel's Trumpet as a natural insect repellent by planting it around the perimeter of their property to deter pests with its strong scent.
- Angel's Trumpet flowers have been added to honey to impart a unique fragrance and slightly alter the taste of the honey through infusion.
- The leaves of the plant have been used in a poultice form as a traditional remedy to treat skin wounds and reduce inflammation in some cultures, despite potential toxicity.
- In some traditions, the leaves have been used to induce trance states during religious or spiritual ceremonies as part of the rite.
- The large leaves of Angel's Trumpet are sometimes used for wrapping food in a similar way to banana leaves, adding a distinct flavor during cooking.
- Angel's Trumpet has been incorporated into landscape design as a living fence to create privacy due to its dense foliage and height.
- The plant can be used for creating natural dyes for fabrics, giving a soft yellow hue, as some parts contain pigment-producing compounds.
- Historically, Angel's Trumpet has been used in folklore and myth as a component of love potions or to cast spells, reflecting its deeply ingrained place in cultural traditions.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Angel's Trumpet is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Angel's Trumpet is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Enchantment and Mystery: Brugmansia suaveolens, commonly known as Angel's Trumpet, often symbolizes enchantment due to its captivating, large pendulous flowers that resemble trumpets, and its tendency to bloom at night, adding a sense of mystery to its surroundings.
- Spiritual Visions: Due to its psychoactive properties, Angel's Trumpet is sometimes associated with spiritual visions and has been used in some traditional ceremonies to induce visionary states.
- Beauty with Danger: The plant’s striking appearance along with its toxic nature symbolize the concept of 'deadly beauty,' reminding us that something can be aesthetically pleasing yet dangerous at the same time.
- Inviting the Heavens: Angel's Trumpet, by its name alone, suggests a connection with the celestial, as if its blooms are calling to the angels, symbolizing an invitation to the heavenly realms.
- Transformation: Angel's Trumpet undergoes a significant transformation from a closed bud to a large, open flower, often symbolizing personal growth, change, or spiritual transformation.
WaterAngel's Trumpet requires consistent moisture and should be watered thoroughly whenever the soil begins to feel dry to the touch. In hot and dry conditions, this may mean watering the plant every few days, while in cooler or more humid conditions, once a week might be sufficient. Apply water directly to the soil rather than overhead to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage disease. An established plant typically needs about 1 to 2 gallons of water per watering session, depending on the size of the plant and environmental factors like temperature and humidity.
LightAngel's Trumpet prefers to be placed in a location where it can receive full sun to partial shade. The optimal spot would allow for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, with some afternoon shade in the hottest parts of the day to prevent leaf scorch. An east or west-facing garden spot that gets sun in the morning or late afternoon, respectively, is ideal for this plant.
TemperatureAngel's Trumpet thrives in warmer climates and does best in temperatures between 60°F and 85°F. It can survive minimum temperatures down to 40°F but at this point, it may lose leaves or show signs of stress. Prolonged exposure to temperatures below the minimum can be fatal to the plant; it is not frost tolerant. The ideal growing conditions involve warm days and slightly cooler nights, mimicking the plant's natural tropical environment.
PruningPruning Angel's Trumpet is necessary to maintain its shape, promote bushier growth, and encourage more blooms. Prune the plant in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove any dead or diseased branches, and trim back to shape the plant and reduce its size if necessary. It's typically recommended to cut back one-third to one-half of the previous year's growth to keep the plant healthy and well-formed.
CleaningAs needed
SoilAngel's Trumpet thrives in a well-draining soil mix with a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 5.5 and 7. A mixture of peat, perlite, and compost is ideal to ensure adequate drainage and fertility.
RepottingAngel's Trumpet should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it outgrows its current pot, to ensure continued growth and flowering.
Humidity & MistingAngel's Trumpet prefers high humidity levels, ideally around 50-60%, to thrive and produce its characteristic large, fragrant flowers.
Suitable locationsIndoor
For indoor Angel's Trumpet, provide bright light and maintain humidity.
Outdoor
Place outdoor Angel's Trumpet in partial shade, protect from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycleBrugmansia suaveolens, commonly known as Angel's Trumpet, begins its life cycle when its seeds germinate in warm, moist soil, typically after a period of dormancy. After germination, the seedling stage follows, characterized by the development of cotyledons and the first set of true leaves. As the plant enters the vegetative stage, it develops a woody stem and a bushy structure with large, ovate leaves, during which time it requires ample nutrients and water to establish a strong root system. The flowering stage comes next, where Angel's Trumpet produces large, pendulous, trumpet-shaped flowers that are highly fragrant, particularly at night, attracting pollinators like moths. After pollination, the plant produces elongated, spiny seed pods containing numerous seeds that, when mature, are dispersed by gravity and wind. Finally, the plant may enter a period of dormancy in response to cooler temperatures or as a natural part of its perennial cycle, only to regrow from its root system with the return of favorable conditions.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Summer
Propogation: Brugmansia suaveolens, commonly known as Angel's Trumpet, is typically propagated through semi-ripe cuttings. The best time to do this is in late spring to early summer when the plant's growth is most vigorous. Carefully select a healthy branch, approximately 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) long, making sure it contains several leaf nodes. The cutting should be taken just below a node, and the lower leaves are removed to expose the nodes. For rooting, it's ideal to dip the cut end into a rooting hormone before planting it into a well-draining potting mix. The cutting should be kept in a warm, humid environment out of direct sunlight until it has established roots, which typically takes a few weeks. Once the cutting has rooted and shows signs of growth, it can be transplanted to a larger pot or directly into the garden.
![Petunia [Cascadias Yellow Eye]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fplants-admin.emdemapps.com%2Fimages%2Fplants%2F%2Fimages%2F604b5409d665b.png&w=640&q=75)
![Petunia [Pinstripe]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fplants-admin.emdemapps.com%2Fimages%2Fplants%2F%2Fimages%2F604b5e7164d27.png&w=640&q=75)
![Petunia [Surprise White Orchid]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fplants-admin.emdemapps.com%2Fimages%2Fplants%2F%2Fimages%2F604b6508a575d.png&w=640&q=75)