To answer the question in the title right off the bat: No, definitely not! But if you want to know why that is and how you can get your plant safely through the chilly months, you’ll definitely want to keep reading.
A Tropical Beauty
Angel’s Trumpets (Brugmansia) are originally from South America, with different species hailing from the Andes and the Amazon basin. Because of those tropical roots, they aren’t built for cold climates. That’s why, around here, we almost always grow them in pots so we can bring them indoors when the temperature drops.
Beat the First Frost
Before you move your plant inside, you’ll usually need to give it a good pruning—otherwise, it’ll probably take up way too much space in your house! It’s best to get this done shortly after the blooming season ends in October. You want to be proactive and get them settled before the first freezing nights hit, because Angel’s Trumpets have zero tolerance for frost.
Choosing the Right Winter Spot
While Angel’s Trumpets can be a bit picky during the summer, they’re actually pretty flexible about where they spend their winter vacation. They can handle a cool, dark basement just as well as a warm, sunny room. However, I usually recommend a bright spot if you have one. It saves the plant from having to “re-adjust” to the sunlight once spring rolls around.
When Can They Go Back Outside?
So, when is it safe to move them back to the patio? Your best bet is to wait until mid-May (after the “Mother’s Day” frost window) to be sure those freezing nights are behind us. If you’re feeling impatient, just keep a very close eye on the weather forecast—if a late frost is predicted, you’ll need to lug them back inside for the night.
To wrap things up, here’s the cheat sheet for Angel’s Trumpets in the winter:
- They are not frost-hardy.
- Their winter home can be either bright or dark.
- Keep them indoors until the threat of night frost has completely passed.
