Angel’s Trumpets (Brugmansia) are stunning exotic beauties, but since they hail from South America, they aren’t exactly fans of our chilly northern climates. Because they can’t handle a typical winter outdoors, one of the most common questions I get is: “When is it finally safe to move my Angel’s Trumpet back outside?”
Wait for the Frost to Clear
The most important thing to remember is that Angel’s Trumpets aren’t just not cold-hardy—they absolutely despise frost. Even a light dusting of ice can do serious damage. While you want to tuck them away early in the fall, you’ll want to do the opposite in the spring: be patient and wait until you’re 100% sure the frost has cleared.
The “Mother’s Day” Rule
In most regions, a good rule of thumb is to wait until after the last frost date, which often falls around mid-May (many gardeners use Mother’s Day or the “Ice Saints” as a guide). If we’re having an unusually warm, sunny spring, you might be tempted to give them an early start. Just keep a very close eye on the weather forecast! If the local news mentions even a hint of overnight frost, you’ll need to haul those pots back inside immediately.
It Depends on Where They Spent the Winter
The “when” also depends on where your plant has been hanging out all winter. If you kept your Angel’s Trumpet in a dark, cool basement, it’s probably eager for some vitamin D. In this case, it’s actually beneficial to get it into the light a bit earlier to help it regenerate—just be extra vigilant about protecting it from cold snaps.
On the other hand, if your plant spent the winter in a bright, warm sunroom or conservatory, it hasn’t really gone dormant. These plants don’t need a “re-adjustment” period, so you can play it safe and wait until the nighttime temperatures are consistently warm before moving them to the patio.
To wrap it all up, here are the quick takeaways:
- Aim for mid-May to move your Angel’s Trumpet outdoors for the season.
- If the forecast predicts a freeze, bring them back inside!
- Plants kept in dark winter storage benefit from an earlier move to help them wake up, provided you protect them from the cold.
