type : Annuals, Perennials
sun exposure : Full Sun
water : Regular Water
Plant Details
Together with Brugmansia, this genus forms the showy group of plants known as angel's trumpets. Daturas differ from Brugmansias in several ways, however: they are herbaceous rather than shrublike, their flowers are upright rather than pendent, and their seedpods are swollen and spiny rather than beanlike.
downy angel's trumpet
datura inoxia
- Perennial.
- Zones LS, CS, TS; USDA 8-11.
- Bushy plant native to the southwestern U.S. and Mexico.
- To 3 feet tall and wide, with oval, pointed, downy leaves to 10 inches long.
- Showy, lightly fragrant flowers, 68 inches long, may be pink, lavender, or white.
- Good choice for containers.
datura 'La Fleur Lilac' ('La Fleur Lilas')
- Perennial.
- Dwarf hybrid involving Datura stramonium that reaches only 34 feet tall and not quite as wide.
- Serrated, dark green leaves; pale lilac, sweetly fragrant blooms.
- Small size and compact habit make it ideal for containers.
horn of plenty
datura metel
- Annual.
- Zones US, MS, LS, CS, TS; USDA 6-11.
- Native to southern China and India.
- Grows quickly, reaching 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide by late summer.
- Oval, pointed leaves to 8 inches long; exotic-looking flowers, up to 8 inches long, in white or purple shades.
- Selections include 'Alba', bearing pure white flowers; 'Aurea', with golden yellow blooms; and 'Belle Blanche, with large leaves and white flowers.
- Cornucopia features gorgeous double purple-and-white blossoms.
- This species self-sows aggressively; seedlings are easily transplanted, making it a favorite passalong plant.
Daturas are easy to grow if given fertile, moist, well-drained soil; full sun; and an occasional feeding with a balanced general-purpose houseplant fertilizer. They're easily propagated from seeds, which burst from seed capsules in late summer. Some species reseed rampantly. Where plants aren't winter hardy, store them in a cool greenhouse or unheated garage during cold months.