How to Grow Brugmansia flower plant
The air hangs heavy with the scent of night-blooming jasmine, but then a different, more potent perfume drifts on the breeze – the heady, sweet, almost intoxicating aroma of Brugmansia.
Often mistaken for its cousin, Datura, the "Angel's Trumpet" is a dramatically beautiful plant that commands attention with its pendulous, trumpet-shaped blooms.
Native to the tropical regions of South America, Brugmansia species grow as large shrubs or small trees, their generous foliage providing a lush backdrop for the star of the show: the flowers.
These magnificent bells, typically six to twenty inches long, hang downwards, swaying gently. They appear in an enchanting array of colours – pristine white, buttery yellow, soft pink, and vibrant orange – often changing hue as they age.
Their fragrance, most potent as dusk yields to darkness, fills the evening air, luring pollinating moths and captivating human admirers.
But beyond its ethereal beauty lies a perilous secret. Every part of the Brugmansia plant, from its roots to its petals, contains powerful psychoactive alkaloids.
While historically used in shamanic rituals for their hallucinogenic properties, they are exceptionally toxic and can be fatal if ingested, even in small amounts. This dark allure adds a layer of respect and caution to its cultivation.
Cultivated worldwide in warmer climates or as container plants brought indoors for winter, Brugmansia thrives in full sun, rich soil, and requires abundant watering.
Despite its dangerous nature, the sheer majesty and intoxicating fragrance of its blooms make the Angel's Trumpet a truly unforgettable specimen, a plant of breathtaking contrasts.