White Angel's Trumpet Seeds

White Angel's Trumpet — Brugmansia suaveolens

With the Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia suaveolens) you grow one of the most magnificent patio plants yourself. Pendulous white trumpet flowers up to 30 cm long emit intense fragrance in the evening and at night. Blooms June to October in multiple flushes — the night scent attracts hawk moths as nocturnal pollinators.

What's in the box

• 10 seeds Brugmansia suaveolens — tested for germination
• Illustrated growing guide in 8 languages (on the seed card)
• Minimum shelf life: 2 years from packaging date

Growing in brief

• Prep: soak seeds 24 h in lukewarm water
• Sowing: in loose, moist seed compost
• Temperature: 22-25 °C
• Germination: 3-6 weeks

Position & care in detail

• Light: full sun to bright
• Humidity: moderate
• Substrate: nutrient-rich, well-draining — patio plant compost
• Watering: plentiful during growth — daily in summer possible
• Feeding: weekly with liquid fertiliser in summer — very hungry
• Wintering: Frost-tender — minimum 5 °C

Sowing date & timeline

The ideal sowing date depends on the plant type.

Indoors sowing is possible year-round if heat mat and grow light are available. January to April is optimal: after germination the seedling can grow vigorously through spring/summer before light declines in autumn.

Directly outdoors only for frost-hardy species and after mid-May. Frost-tender species should first be raised in pots indoors, then hardened off after mid-May before being placed outdoors.

Pot choice & transplanting

Pot size and transplanting evolve with the plant:

• Sowing: 6×6 cm seed tray per seed or tray pots. Use low-nutrient seed compost.
• Seedling: prick out at 2-3 true leaves into a 9 cm pot with nutrient-rich compost.
• Established: repot every 1-2 years into a pot 2-3 cm larger. Mature plants need 5-30 L pot volume depending on the species.

Tips & tricks

• Use a heat mat: bottom heat at 25 °C speeds germination by weeks
• Mini greenhouse: cover seed tray with a transparent lid or cling film — keeps humidity high
• Prefer fresh seed: the fresher the seed, the higher the germination rate — sow soon after delivery
• Very hungry: weekly feed in season, daily watering in summer
• Frost-free wintering (5-10 °C) — drops leaves, regrows in spring
• Hard prune in spring — promotes compact growth and rich flowering

Good to know

• Native range: South America (Brazil, Andes)
• Height: 4 m, in a pot 1-2 m
• Pendulous white trumpets up to 30 cm — intensely fragrant evening and night
• Popular patio plant for terraces and conservatories
• Blooms June to October in multiple flushes
• Night scent attracts hawk moths as pollinators

Seed storage

Unopened or leftover Saflax seeds keep for 2 years if stored correctly. Keep dry, cool (vegetable drawer in fridge) and in the original packaging — moisture drastically reduces germination. Test germinability before each sowing: 5 seeds on moist kitchen paper in a covered plastic dish at 22-25 °C — if 4-5 germinate, the rest are reliable.

FAQs

How long does germination take?
Typically 3-6 at 22-25 °C. Bottom heat (heat mat) shortens germination significantly, often by half.

Can it grow outdoors?
In summer yes, in a sheltered, semi-shaded position. Bring indoors before first frost, min. 5 °C in winter.

How fast does it grow?
Slow in the first year (establishment phase), then notably faster from year two with optimal care and the right position.

Do I need special tools?
A simple seed tray, compost and a bright position are enough. A heat mat (~CHF 30) and a mini greenhouse noticeably improve germination but are not mandatory.

What if seeds don't germinate?
Patience — many exotic species take 4-12 weeks. Check temperature (heat mat!), substrate moisture (evenly moist, never wet) and whether the seeds require stratification or scarification. Saflax seeds are tested for germination before dispatch.

When does it bloom from seed?
Growing from seed is slow — first flowers often only after 3-5 years. Cuttings flower in year one.

Indoors in winter?
Better cool and bright (5-10 °C, garage, hallway). In a warm living room it drops leaves and may attract spider mites.

How best to store leftover seeds?
In the sealed original packet, dry and cool (vegetable drawer of fridge at 4-8 °C). Germinability is preserved through the full 2-year shelf life. Reseal immediately after opening and acclimatise to room temperature before sowing.