Devil's Trumpet • PermiePortal

Ornamental: Valued for its large, fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that add dramatic appeal to gardens and landscapes.
Medicinal: Historically used in traditional medicine for its antispasmodic and analgesic properties; however, due to its high toxicity, it should only be used under professional supervision.
Pest Management: The plant&#39;s toxicity can deter certain pests, making it a potential natural pest repellent.

About

Devil's Trumpet (*Datura metel*) is a shrubby, sprawling, short-lived, tender perennial often grown as an annual. It typically grows 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) tall and spreads up to 4 feet (120 cm) wide. The plant features ovate, wavy-toothed, dark green leaves up to 8 inches (20 cm) long that emit a disagreeable odor when bruised or crushed. Its single or double, upward-facing trumpet-shaped flowers, up to 7 inches (17 cm) long and 4 inches (10 cm) wide at the mouth, have a sweetly overpowering fragrance. Blooming from midsummer to frost, the flowers open in the evening and last until noon the following day. They give way to knobby, rounded capsules that split open when ripe to release their numerous seeds. All parts of the plant are highly toxic if ingested. 🌞💧 **Sun and Water Requirements:** Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Requires regular watering to maintain soil moisture, especially during dry periods. Well-drained soil is essential to prevent root rot. ✂️🫘 **Methods to Propagate:** Propagated by seeds or stem cuttings. Seeds should be sown indoors before the last frost and transplanted outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. Stem cuttings can be taken in late spring or early summer and rooted in moist soil. 🧑‍🌾👩‍🌾 **When to Harvest:** As an ornamental plant, it is not typically harvested. However, seed pods can be collected when they turn brown and begin to split open.