How to Care for Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) Indoors
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Botanical name: Allamanda cathartica
Family: Apocynaceae
Common names: Golden Trumpet, Common Trumpetvine, Yellow Allamanda
Golden Trumpet Description
Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) also called Common Trumpetvine or Yellow Allamanda is a true beauty which bears flaring yellow trumpet-like flowers.
Golden Trumpet is a spectacular climbing plant whose leaves are glossy and the flowers are tubular. Though a climber, Golden Trumpet does not twine, nor does it have tendrils or aerial roots.
Golden Trumpet 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.
Golden Trumpet Size
Golden Trumpet is a climbing plant which can grow up to 20 ft if left unpruned. The leaves are about 4 in. long and the tubular flowers are about 3 in. in diameter.
Golden Trumpet Origin
Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) is native to Brazil. Several varieties of Golden Trumpet are available.
Golden Trumpet Varieties
The most popular varieties are grandiflora which has more compact, pale-yellow flowers and handersonii which has red buds and golden yellow flowers.
Buy beautiful and healthy Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) from Etsy.
Photo Credit: Aloha Tropicals
Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) Care Indoors
Golden Trumpet Light Requirements
Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) grows best in bright light with at least 4 hours of sunshine per day to encourage flowering.
Turn the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
How to water Golden Trumpet
Water Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) moderately during the growing season while allowing the top 2 in. of soil to dry out between waterings.
Reduce watering during the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time.
Do not allow the soil of your Golden Trumpet to dry out as it can lead to wilting and leaf drop. Read more on how to water houseplants.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot.
Temperature for Golden Trumpet
Average room temperature within 16-270C is ideal for Golden Trumpet.
Protect Golden Trumpet from cold draughts to prevent brown leaf tips and or edges. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
Humidity for Golden Trumpet
Golden Trumpet thrives in humid conditions. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity for lush growth. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Golden Trumpet Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Golden Trumpet with a phosphorous-rich fertilizer every 3 weeks during the growing season to promote flowering.
Withhold feeding for your Golden Trumpet during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time. Read more on how to feed houseplants.
Golden Trumpet Pruning
Prune Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) by removing dead blooms and leaves to maintain your plant neat and tidy. 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.
Golden Trumpet Repotting
Repot Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) at the beginning of the growing season in a pot one size larger than the previous one only when the plant becomes pot-bound.
Ensure the pot for your Golden Trumpet has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot.
Soil for Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica)
The best soil for Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most multi-purpose potting mixes are ideal for Golden Trumpet.
Buy quality Potting Mix for your Golden Trumpet from Etsy.
Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) 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 in. from a healthy Golden Trumpet. Ensure each cutting has 2-3 leaf nodes as this is where new growth will come from. Strip 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. Allow the new plants to be well established before transplanting after which routine care can begin.
Photo Credit: Peppyflora
Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) Problems Indoors
Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) problems indoors are due to cultural faults mainly in watering, temperature, humidity and light. Read on for remedies and solutions.
Golden Trumpet wilting and dropping leaves
Wilting and dropping leaves in Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) is due to underwatering.
Water the plant moderately and maintain the soil moderately moist during the growing season. Reduce watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time but never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Golden Trumpet leaf drop
Leaf drop in Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) is due to cold draughts which cause too low temperatures.
Golden Trumpet grow best in warm temperatures. Protect the plant from cold draughts to maintain warm temperatures within 16-270C.
Golden Trumpet brown leaf tips and edges
Brown leaf tips and edges in Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) are to too low humidity especially where the temperature are high.
To raise humidity for your Golden Trumpet, set the pot on a wet pebble tray. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Golden Trumpet not flowering (blooming)
There are three possible reasons why Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) will not flower (bloom).
One possible reason why your Golden Trumpet is not flowering is too little light.
Move your Golden Trumpet to a brighter spot. Golden Trumpet grows best in bright light with at least 4 hours of sunshine per day to encourage flowering.
The second possible reason why your Golden Trumpet is not flowering is feeding it with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer which encourages foliage growth at the expense of flower production.
Feed your Golden Trumpet with a phosphprous-rich fertilizer every 3 weeks during the growing season to promote flowering.
The third possible reason why your Golden Trumpet is not flowering is underwatering.
Water your Golden Trumpet moderately during the growing season while allowing the top 2 in. of soil to dry out between waterings.
Reduce watering during the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist but never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Golden Trumpet yellow leaves
Naturally, the older leaves of Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) will turn yellow and fall off.
Excessive yellowing of leaves for your Golden Trumpet is due to root-rot which is brought about by soggy soil.
Take out the plant from 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. Read more on how to treat your plant for root-rot.
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.
Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) Pests
Common pests in Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) are Mealy Bugs and Aphids. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other houseplants and control the pests appropriately.
Is Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) 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 your Golden Trumpet Plant.
Keep this plant out of reach of children and pets to avoid any mishaps.
