1 / 9

Datura metel

Devil's trumpet plant

Solanaceae

South Asia, Southeast Asia, North Africa (species)

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (strong)Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

Overview

Datura metel is a tender herbaceous to woody perennial growing 36-60 inches (90-150 cm) tall and 36-48 inches (90-120 cm) wide as a short-lived perennial in zones 9-11 or as a self-seeding annual in colder zones. Trumpet-shaped flowers are 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) long and 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) across at the mouth, opening from twisted spear-shaped buds. Flower colors include white, lavender, purple, and yellow, often with picotee margins; double-flowered selections have 2-3 nested trumpet whorls. Flowers open in late afternoon and last one night, releasing strong sweet fragrance after dusk. Foliage is medium green, ovate, 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long, with irregular lobed margins; foliage releases a sharp musty odor when crushed. Seed pods are spiny capsules containing dozens of black seeds that remain viable in soil for years. All parts of the plant — particularly seeds — contain tropane alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine) at fatal doses. Ingestion causes hallucinations, racing heart, and can be fatal in humans, dogs, cats, livestock, and birds. Skin contact with sap causes pupil dilation in sensitive individuals. Native to the Old World tropics. Frost-tender; killed by frost in temperate zones. Self-seeds prolifically. Growth rate is fast — full size in one season.

Native Range

D. metel is native to a wide range across the Old World tropics, with documented native ranges including India, southern China, Southeast Asia, and northern Africa. The species has been cultivated and naturalized worldwide and is invasive in disturbed warm-climate sites in the Americas, Australia, and parts of Africa.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a fragrance and architectural specimen in summer borders and tropical-effect plantings in zones 5-11 in full sun. Often used near patios for evening fragrance. All parts highly toxic to pets, humans, livestock, and birds — seeds and self-seeded volunteers persist in soil for years.

How to Identify

Identified by 6-8 inch (15-20 cm) trumpet-shaped flowers in white, lavender, purple, or yellow opening at dusk on a 36-60 inch (90-150 cm) bushy plant with lobed ovate medium green leaves and spiny seed capsules. The combination of upward-facing trumpets, dusk-opening fragrant bloom, and spiny round seed pods separates D. metel from related D. stramonium (smaller flowers) and from downward-facing Brugmansia spp. (woody small tree). Foliage releases a sharp musty odor when crushed.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 5'

Width/Spread3' - 4'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~24 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Continuous bloom from late spring through fall (May-October) in zones 9-11. In annual culture, bloom begins 8-10 weeks after seedling transplant and continues until frost. Each individual flower opens in late afternoon, peaks at dusk releasing strong fragrance, and wilts the following morning.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, lavender, purple, or yellow trumpet flowers

Foliage Description

Medium green, ovate, lobed

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours) produces the densest growth and heaviest bloom; bloom reduces by half in part shade. The species tolerates a wide soil pH range (6.0-8.0) and most well-drained soils, including clay and disturbed soils. Drought-tolerant once established but flowers more freely with weekly summer watering. Self-seeding produces dozens of volunteer seedlings annually if seed pods are not removed before splitting. Spider mites infest foliage in hot, dry conditions; tomato hornworms feed on foliage. Cold damage occurs below 32°F (0°C); plants killed by hard frost.

Pruning

Spent flowers drop cleanly without deadheading. Spiny seed pods can be removed before splitting to prevent self-seeding. Stems and leaves carry tropane alkaloids; sap can cause skin irritation on contact. In zones 9-11, woody stems can be cut back to 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) in late winter; new growth emerges from the base.