About Datura Plant Propagation
Datura is a lovely flowering plant with large, trumpet-shaped blooms that open upwards toward the sun. It is oftentimes confused with brugmansia, which is also commonly called angel’s trumpet. However, the trumpet-shaped blooms of brugmansia hang down, while datura blooms face up. Hardy in zones 7-11, datura is grown and divided just like any perennial in these locations. It is important to note that datura contains toxins in all parts of the plant, which have been known to cause skin irritations, and ingestion can be fatal. Datura plants should not only be kept away from small children and pets but extreme caution should be used when handling any parts of datura plants. Most datura plant propagation is done through division but both seeds and cuttings are also common methods.
How to Propagate Datura
Every 2-4 years, perennial grown datura plants may need to be dug up and divided in fall or spring. Be sure to wear gloves when handling the plants and cleaning tools. Irregular growth, yellowing foliage, and lack of blooms can be indicators that a datura plant needs to be divided. In cooler climates, where datura is grown as an annual, tip, stem, or root cuttings are usually taken in autumn before frost kills the plant. Cuttings of 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm.) can be rooted in pots indoors, but generally require aid from grow lights to produce full, healthy plants. Rooting hormone, seedling heat mats, and watering with warm water can help speed up the rooting of datura cuttings. It is the spine-covered, round seed pods that follow this plant’s blooms that provide us with the easiest method of propagating datura plants. When ripe, these thorny pods turn brown and split open, releasing the seeds. Seed pods can be harvested just before they split, or pantyhose can be placed around the seed pod to catch ripe seeds after the pod splits. It is important to wear gloves and use safety precautions even when handling the seeds of datura. Seeds are then dried out and stored in paper bags or envelopes in a cool, dry location until spring planting. Datura plants grow well in any rich, moist, but well-draining soil. They produce the most blooms in full sun and can be used in a variety of landscape types such as zen, cottage, or pond gardens. When the danger of frost has passed, datura seeds or rooted cuttings can be planted directly in the garden or in containers.
