Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) Indoor Care, Propagation, Problems and Solutions

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Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) blossoms in bright light with some direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

Golden Trumpet also called Common Trumpetvine or Yellow Allamanda is a true beauty which bears flaring yellow trumpet-like flowers.

Common Trumpet is one of the popular, climbing, flowering plants whose leaves are glossy and the flowers are tubular. Though a climber, it does not twine, nor does it have tendrils or aerial roots./p>

Yellow Allamanda is a delicate type of plant requiring warmth, humid conditions and plenty of sunlight. The plant does not last very long under room conditions if these requirements are not met.

Botanical name: Allamanda cathartica
Family: Apocynaceae
Common names: Golden Trumpet, Common Trumpetvine, Yellow Allamanda

Origin

Allamanda cathartica (Golden Trumpet) is native to Brazil.

Size

Golden Trumpet is a climbing plant which can grow up to 20 feet if left unpruned. The leaves are about 4 inches long and the tubular flowers are about 3 inches in diameter. It is among the best flowering plants for hanging baskets.

Varieties

Several varieties of Golden Trumpet are available. The most popular varieties are grandiflora which has more compact, pale-yellow flowers and handersonii which has red buds and golden yellow flowers.

Is Golden Trumpet poisonous?

Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) produces a milky sap which contains a strong substance that is toxic to both humans and pets. If ingested it can cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains. The toxin can also cause severe skin irritation on senstive skin; always wear gloves when handling the plant. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets to avoid any mishaps.

Where to Buy

If you are looking to add this striking beauty to your collection, check them out on Etsy (Link to Etsy).

Allamanda cathartica Care Indoors

Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) blooms in bright light with 4 hours of direct sunshine, average temperature of 16-27⁰C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

Allamanda cathartica requires regular grooming to keep it tidy, to encourage new growth and to promote flowering. Repotting is needed when it outgrows its pot as it blooms best when slightly root-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Light Requirements

Golden Trumpet grows best in bright light with at least 4 hours of sunshine per day to promote flowering.

Where the natural lighting is inadequate you may grow Common Trumpetunder a grow lights. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.

Turn the pot regularly to ensure that the Yellow Allamanda receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent leggy growth.

Watering

Water Golden Trumpet moderately during the growing season while allowing the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings.

Cut down on watering during the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely as it lead to wilting and leaf drop.

Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant.

Temperature and Humidity

Average temperature of 16-27⁰C is ideal for Golden Trumpet. Temperatures outside this range can negatively affect the growth of the plant. Keep it away from cold drafts to prevent sudden drops in temperature which can result in brown leaf tips and edges.

Golden Trumpet thrives in humidity of 60-70%. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity for a lush growth. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

Fertilizer (Feeding)

Feed Golden Trumpet with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season to promote flowering. Withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and feeding at this time may cause fertilizer burn.

Potting Medium

The best potting medium for Golden Trumpet should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. All purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant.

Repotting

Repot Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) at the beginning of the growing season in a pot only one size larger than the current one when the plant becomes pot-bound. Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting. Check out these pots withdrainage holes on Amazon.

Pruning

Prune Golden Trumpet by removing dead blooms and leaves to maintain the plant neat. Removing dead blooms encourages more flowering. Cutback the plant after flowering to control growth and to encourage new growth from which the flower buds arise.

Propagation

Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) propagation can be done at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings.

How to propagate Golden Trumpet from stem cuttings

Take stem cuttings of about 4-6 inches from a healthy Golden Trumpet. Ensure each cutting has 2-3 leaf nodes as this is where new growth will come from. Strip off the lower leaves.

Dip the lower cut end of the cutting in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting and insert 2 in. of the cutting in moist, free-draining soil.

Cover the set up with clear polythene to create a greenhouse effect in order to promote rooting.

Place the set up in a warm, brightly-lit spot away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.

Allow the new Allamanda cathartica to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.

Allamanda cathartica Problems

Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) growing problems include wilting, leaf drop, yellow leaves, lack of blooms, pests and diseases. Read on for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.

Pests

Common pests in Golden Trumpet are mealy bugs and aphids. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and control the pests appropriately.

Yellow leaves

Naturally, the older leaves in Golden Trumpet will turn yellow and fall off. Excessive yellowing is due to root-rot which is brought about by soggy soil.

Take the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots. Mushy brown-black roots are indicative of root-rot. You can try to save the plant by root surgery. To prevent root-rot, ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Read more on how to treat root-rot in houseplants.

No blooms

There are three possible reasons why Golden Trumpet will not flower (bloom). One possible reason is too little light. Move it to a brighter spot where it can receive bright light with at least 4 hours of sunshine per day to encourage flowering or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.

The second possible reason why Golden Trumpet is not flowering is feeding it with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer which encourages foliage growth at the expense of flower production. Feed the plant with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season to promote flowering.

The third possible reason why Allamanda cathartica is not flowering is underwatering. Water the plant moderately during the growing season while allowing the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Decrease watering during the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water houseplants the correct way.

Wilting and dropping leaves

Wilting and dropping leaves in Golden Trumpet is due to underwatering which results in too little moisture for the plant to take up to the leaves.

Water the Yellow Allamanda liberally during the growing season and maintain the soil moderately moist. Reduce watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time but never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Leaf drop

Leaf drop in Golden Trumpet is due to cold drafts which cause sudden drops in temperatures. Keep it away from cold drafts like windy doors and windows, air conditioning units and others to maintain warm temperatures within the range of 16-27⁰C.

Brown leaf tips and edges

Brown leaf tips and edges in Golden Trumpet are to too low humidity especially where the indoor temperatures are very high. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.