How to Take Brugmansia from Cuttings?

Brugmansia also called Angel’s trumpet is a tropical plant, native to central and south America. This plant grows as a shrub or a tree depending on the condition. It features large yellow flowers with dark green leaves. 

These plants’ flowers look beautiful but they are toxic to humans, dogs, and cats. This is a fast-growing plant, growing about 24 inches to 36 inches per year. 

Here you’ll learn how to take Brugmansia from cuttings, with its care. Growing Brugmansia is not difficult when given ideal conditions. 

We’ll also discuss ideal conditions to grow these flowers. If growing Brugmansia is your interest keep reading:

Brugmansia 

Brugmansia (angel’s trumpet) is a beautiful trumpet-shaped flower, that grows up to 20 inches in ideal condition. They love to grow under sunlight with adequate water. The requirement of growing this plant is not more.

It grows as a shrub, or tree depending on the area they planted. Its leaves are 6 to 8 inches long grow alternatively on either side of the stem and are known for growing drooping flowers. It grows perennial in hardiness zones 8 to 10, in other zones, they grow as annual plants. 

Quick Guide

Grow Brugmansia from cuttings

Naturally, Brugmansia is an invasive shrub that spreads from seeds through air. However, growing is a process. 

Most gardeners prefer to grow them from stem cutting because this is a fast and easy method. Brugmansia takes years to get established.

When to grow

The best time to plant Brugmansia (angel’s trumpet) is during the early spring season or just after the first get over. Planting them early in the season ensures that they will fully grow before the coming frost to survive the cold condition.

How to Take Brugmansia from cuttings

Growing Brugmansia from cutting is not rocket science, but you have to follow steps to grow a healthy plant. You can grow more plants from cuttings, once your existing plant is mature or at least one year old and has grown some blooms. 

The best time to take stem cutting is in the early morning when sunlight is not harsh. During the early morning plant’s stems are not stressed and easily be cut. Also, pour some water before taking cutting to make it hydrated so that it does not get stressed after cutting.

Here is what to do:

• Take sharp shear and cut the green softwood stem cutting from the plant. Cutting should be at least 5-6 inches long with a few leaves and no bloom. Avoid cutting too woody stems, they will not grow. 
• Also, do not try to break or tear the stem from the plant, it will damage the plant’s tissue and cause permanent damage. 
• Snip off all leaves from the bottom half of the cutting to make a good base.
• You may dip the bottom tip of the cutting in rooting hormones to encourage fast root production. (optional)
• Plant cutting in a medium-size pot that has adequate drainage holes, you can also plant directly in garden beds.
• Use potting mix soil in the pot and water it to make the soil moist. 
• Cover the cutting with a plastic pack to retain moisture and heat.
• Place the pot in indirect sunlight, it will not survive in full sun as its roots are not grown.
• The cutting will start growing roots within 14 to 20 days. you know when it starts growing new leaves. 
• Usually, cuttings take a month to get established, and water regularly for continuous growth.

How to care for Brugmansia 

Brugmansia does not need much care, once it gets established. In the cooler area, this plant is grown in the container to overwinter during the cold. This flower produces a strong fragrance at night. Many pollinators including hummingbirds get attracted to it.

Light

Brugmansia likes to grow in full sun conditions. This is a tropical plant that needs constant sunlight and moderate warm temperature.

However, in the extremely hot summer, the partial shade helps. If you live in the northern region, plant it in the full sun whereas in the southern region they can take partial shade. 

Make sure it gets at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight every day. Plant where they get early morning sunlight and afternoon shade. If you do not have an area that receives continuous sunlight. Plant Brugmansia in the pot so that you can chase sunlight.

Soil 

Brugmansia is the least picky when it comes to choosing growing soil. It can grow in loam to clay soil, fertile to poor soil. The only thing it cares about is well-drained soil. 

Brugmansia does not like to be waterlogged. Soggy soil often leads to poor growth and the danger of root rot.

Mix some sand or perlite in the soil to make it well-drained. This will create micro holes within the soil which improve water flow.

It prefers slightly acidic soil. Although this is not necessary, acidic soil tends to grow much faster. 

Water

Brugmansia is a thirsty plant that always needs water. Especially, in the hot summer, you have to water them twice a day. But, they do not like to be waterlogged. Water only to make its soil moist or when the soil looks dry.

When planting Brugmansia in a container or pot, it should have adequate drainage holes to flow out excessive water. Lack of watering causes wilt leaves and less bloom.

Also, when overwatering its leaves begin turning yellow. If your plant dries quickly, spread a thick layer of mulch around to retain moisture.

Overwatering is not a big problem in a garden, water flows deep into the ground if planted in well-drained soil. Ultimately, never leave the plant dry.

Temperature and humidity

Brugmansia likes to grow in warm temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. They grow perennial in hardiness zones 8-10. If you live in a region where the temperature dipped below 40 degrees Fahrenheit then plant it in a pot. 

Fertilizer

This is a fast-growing plant but, it also needs regular fertilization in a new season for continuous growth. Feed them water-soluble fertilizer during the early spring.

You can feed them every month during the growing season for good bloom. But, do not feed excessive fertilizer. This will increase the nitrogen level of the soil which will cause excessive growth of leaves rather than flowers.

Pruning

Although, Brugmansia does not need pruning. But, you can prune it occasionally to make it neat and clean. Pruning its stem to keep it in shade will not hamper the growth of the blooms. 

When you see any dry leaves or blooms snip off. These dry parts might look dead but they keep sucking energy from the plant. Cutting them will redirect energy to grow new leaves.

When pruning, cut down older branches to encourage more bloom growth. Also, leaves at least 5-6 branches of the plant. 

How to get Brugmansia to bloom 

Brugmansia bloom when it get matuer. When planted from seeds, it takes almost five years to bloom. If you plant them from cutting then the process speeds up but it will take nearly 4 years. 

Brugmansia needs regular watering and well-drained soil to produce blooms. With that, feed fertilizer every week in the growing season. You can also add organic compost to the soil such as banana peels, eggshells, and used tea bags. They bloom during summer in full sunlight. 

Transplantation 

Brugmansia takes a long time to get mature. Plant it in a pot or container, if you do not live in the tropical region. During winter, when the outside temperature dips below 50 degrees Fahrenheit brings the pot inside overwinters. Leaving your plant outside will kill them from frost. 

Transplant Brugmansia, once its roots start growing outside the pot. Planting it in a small pot will produce less bloom. 

How to Overwinter brugmansia

• You need to overwinter Brugmansia when your outside temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If your Brugmansia is potted, bring it inside.
• You can treat it as a houseplant or dormant. If you decide to grow them as houseplants during winter. Place it in the light and water occasionally like other houseplants. It will not bloom but its foliage looks good. 
• If you decide to dormant, place the pot in a dark room like a garage or storeroom. 
• Cut one-third of its branches and water only once a month. It’s all leaves will fall and it looks died but it not. The plant is alive till its trunk is green. 
• Bring the pot outside, after the winter gets over. Place in full sun and water regularly. Within one month it will start growing normally. 

Common pests

Plant pests like aphids, whiteflies, cabbage worms, and spider mites are common in Brugmansia. But, pests like slugs and snails, fungus gnats inside the plant and cucumber beetles in the midwestern United States, and mealybugs also appear. 

These pests infest the plant when it does not get proper air. This happens when many plants are planted in a close area. 

Pests infest on dry plants, spray water at least once a day to make your plant leaves wet.

If your plant is infested with any of these pests, spray a strong water blast on the plant through the hose. If pests do not go, apply neem oil on the branch of the plant to prevent pests.

You can also take isopropyl alcohol on a cotton ball or cotton swab and dab it on the infected area.

Toxicity

Brugmansia or angel’s trumpet flowers are extremely toxic to pets and humans. It does not affect when touched but when ingested in clusters it can cause serious disease its roots, stems, flowers, and leaves all are poisonous. if you have children or pets, who have a habit of eating plants, avoid planting Brugmansia. If anyone ingested it my mistake. take them to the doctor immediately.

Madhuresh

Hey! I’m Madhuresh, a passionate content creator, and a Plant lover. I created Shiny Plant to explore and learn about new plants. The purpose is to provide simple and effective Gardening Tips. Hope you’ll find this informative.