Overwintering brugmansia indoors might sound like it would be difficult, but it’s really not that hard. In this post you will learn how to keep angel’s trumpet over winter in three easy ways.
Angel’s trumpets make a wonderful, tropical addition to the garden during the summer. But they are not hardy here in zone 4, so I have to overwinter my brugmansia indoors.
It’s easy to do, and helps me save money on buying new plants in the spring. Plus it means I can keep my favorite varieties and continue to enjoy them year after year.
Below I will show you what to do with your brugmansia in winter, the three best methods for overwintering it, how and when to bring them inside in fall, and put them back outside in spring.
Are Brugmansias Annuals Or Perennials?
Though you’ll likely find brugmansia for sale in the tropical annuals section at your garden center, they are perennials in the right climate.
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They’re actually pretty hardy, and some varieties can live down to zone 7. But, if yours is not that hardy, or you live somewhere with harsh winters like we have in Minnesota, then they won’t survive outside.
So you’ll need to bring them indoors for the winter. Don’t worry, it’s not hard to do, and you have three options to try.
Related Post: How To Overwinter Plants: The Complete Guide
3 Methods For Overwintering Brugmansia
There are three ways you can overwinter your favorite brugmansia indoors. If you have more than one, then try a few of these methods to see which works best for you.
- Keeping it as a houseplant through winterStoring a dormant brugmansiaOverwintering brugmansia cuttings
How To Overwinter Brugmansia
In this section I will describe each of these three methods in detail. If you’ve never tried overwintering brugmansia before, then you should definitely experiment.
Some people find it easier to allow them to go dormant. But others like keeping them as houseplants, or taking cuttings. Try all three methods to find the one that works best for you.
1. Keeping Brugmansia As A Houseplant Through Winter
With a little extra care, you can overwinter brugmansia as a houseplant. If yours is too large to bring inside, you can cut it back to a manageable size.
They can be pruned heavily – so don’t worry, it will come back in the spring. Be sure to keep the cuttings so you can try method #3.
Whether you cut them back or not, they will go though a bit of shock when you move them in, and may even drop a few leaves. This is normal, so don’t worry. It should pop back after a few weeks.
You might get lucky and enjoy a few flowers during the winter. But it’s difficult to mimic the conditions necessary for them to bloom when they’re indoors.
2. Storing A Dormant Brugmansia Plant
It’s very easy to overwinter brugmansia when they are dormant, and this is my preferred method. To encourage dormancy, put it in a cool, dark location, and stop watering it.
Or simply leave it outside during the first few light frosts in the fall to trigger hibernation. After a couple of days it will start to drop its leaves, eventually dropping all of them.
Store it in a cool, dark location until spring. Don’t allow the soil to dry out completely through the winter, but keep it on the dry side.
3. Overwintering Brugmansia Cuttings
Another method to try is overwintering brugmansia cuttings. This way you can save your favorite angel’s trumpet variety without having to find space for a full sized plant.
In order for this to work, take the cuttings before it gets below 60°F outside. They should be at least a couple of inches. But I like to make mine 8-10″ long or more so I have larger starts in spring.
Put the stems into a vase of water, and keep it fresh. Once roots develop, you can either plant them in potting soil, or leave them in water all winter.
If the water gets cloudy or scummy, dump it out, wash the vase and rinse the cuttings. Keep the water level above the roots at all times so they don’t dry out.
Bringing Angel’s Trumpet In For The Winter
No matter how you plan to overwinter your angel’s trumpet, it’s important to bring them indoors at the right time. Follow these tips, and they will have no problem surviving until spring.
When To Bring Brugmansia Inside
If you want to keep live plants or cuttings, then I recommend bringing them inside in late summer before the temperature drops below 60°F.
Cool temps trigger dormancy, so if you plan to force hibernation, then leave them outside longer. I like to wait until light frost touches the leaves. But make sure to bring them in before a hard freeze.
How To Bring Brugs In For Winter
Before bringing your brugs in for winter, you’ll definitely want to debug them first. Follow these instructions for debugging potted plants before bringing them indoors in the fall.
You can use the same method for cuttings, or you can do it inside instead. Simply soak them in water for 10 minutes to drown any unwanted pests.
I recommend adding a squirt of mild liquid soap to help kill insects faster. Then rinse the cuttings before putting them into the vase.
Brugmansia Winter Care Tips
Keeping live brugmansias indoors through the winter can be a bit challenging. The three main things you’ll need to worry about are light, proper watering, and bugs. Here are some tips to help you out.
Light Requirements
If you choose to try overwintering brugmansia as a houseplant, put it in a sunny window. Adequate lighting is very important.
They need a lot of sunlight or they will become weak and leggy. But during the dark winter months, even a south facing sunny window may not be enough for them.
If you notice they are reaching for the window, then add a grow light. Plug it into an outlet timer and set it so it’s turned on for 12-16 hours every day.
Watering In Winter
Proper watering is also very important. They don’t like to dry out completely, so try to keep the soil evenly moist. If they don’t get enough water, they will start to go dormant.
But be careful not to overwater, the soil should never be soggy. I recommend getting yourself an inexpensive soil moisture gauge to help you give them perfect amount.
They also like a humidity. If it’s too dry, they will start to droop and drop their leaves. You can try misting them with lukewarm water, or run a humidifier nearby.
Controlling Bugs
One of the biggest challenges of overwintering brugmansia is controlling bugs. In my experience, they are very prone to pests like aphids and spider mites, so inspect them regularly for signs of infestation.
To help control any pests that show up, you could spray the leaves with neem oil, which has a residual effect to keep them from coming back.
Or use a soapy spray and wash the leaves. Try mixing 1 tsp of mild liquid soap per 1 liter of water, or buy organic insecticidal soap.
If the bugs can fly, then hang yellow sticky paper from one of the branches to trap and kill them. Learn more about controlling bugs on indoor plants here.
Bringing Brugmansia Out Of Dormancy
Waking up a dormant brugmansia can take a little bit of time, and some extra patience too. Below I’ll tell you exactly when and how to do it so you don’t accidentally end up killing your plant.
When To Start Waking It Up
The best time to start waking up your angel’s trumpet from its winter hibernation is one to two months before your last frost date in the spring.
It’s best to give them ample time to break dormancy and get ready for life back outside. If you try to do it too fast, the shock could end up killing them.
So be patient and give them plenty of time. It can take a month or more for them to start showing signs of life again.
How To Break Dormancy
Sunlight and water are both triggers to your brugmansia that it’s time for them to come out of dormancy. So first move it out of the dark room, and put it in a bright location.
Don’t place it in direct sunlight though, it’s too much for them at first. Give them a good drink of water, and allow the excess to completely drain from the pot.
Keep the soil evenly moist until it starts to leaf out. At that point, begin feeding it using 1/4 strength liquid fertilizer or compost tea. This is a great time to mix some slow-release pellets into the soil too.
You can learn even more about how to bring plants out of dormancy here.
Moving Brugmansia Back Outside After Winter
You might be excited to move your brugmansia outside after overwintering it. But, doing it at the wrong time could spell disaster. There are also a few important steps you’ll need to take to avoid damaging them.
When To Put Angel’s Trumpet Back Outside
Put your angel’s trumpet back outside once all chance of frost is gone in the spring, and the nighttime temperature stays above 60°F.
Though they are fairly hardy, the cold can kill their tender winter growth. So, make sure to protect them from any late spring frosts.
How To Move It Outside After Winter
Since it’s used to being in a protected indoor environment, you’ll need to slowly acclimate it to life outside again.
If you move it straight into the full sun right away, all of the leaves could burn off. So place it a shady spot for several days first.
Over the course of a few weeks, slowly move it closer to the full sun. If any of the leaves start to burn, then move it back to the shade for a few more days. Soon, it will be able to take the hot rays of summer again.
Here I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about overwintering brugmansia. If you can’t find your answer here, ask it in the comments below.
Can I overwinter angel’s trumpet in an unheated garage?
You can overwinter angel’s trumpet in an unheated garage as long as it stays warm enough for the variety you have. However, for the best success, I recommend keeping the temperature above 45°F.
Does brugmansia lose its leaves in winter?
Brugmansia will lose its leaves in winter if it goes dormant. But they won’t drop their leaves if you give them the proper winter care.
Can I leave my brugmansia plant outside over winter?
You can leave your brugmansia plant outside over winter if the type you have is hardy in your climate. Otherwise, you must bring it indoors in order for it to survive.
Can brugmansia survive frost?
Yes, brugmansia can survive frost. Some varieties are even hardy down to zone 7 where it gets below freezing.
How cold can angel’s trumpet tolerate?
The amount of cold that angel’s trumpet can tolerate depends on the variety you have. Some can survive down to as low as 5°F, while others will die if it gets below freezing.
As you’ll find out, overwintering brugmansia is pretty easy. It’s a great way to keep your favorite varieties year after year, and save a little cash too. Experiment with each of the methods to see which one works best for you.
If you’re interested in learning how to care for plants indoors during the coldest months, and keep them alive until spring then my Winter Houseplant Care eBook is just what you need. You’ll learn all you need to know in order to keep them thriving in winter. Download your copy today!
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Share your favorite method of overwintering brugmansia or your tips in the comments below.
