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Amazon brunfelsia Plant Care
Brunfelsia amazonica C.V.Morton
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Brunfelsia amazonica, also known as Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow, is a striking plant with unique color-changing flowers. The blooms start out purple, fade to lavender, and then finally turn white, all on the same plant. This fascinating feature makes it a favorite among plant enthusiasts.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Amazon brunfelsia?
Plant Amazon brunfelsia in bright indirect light (USDA zones 10b–12b) and water a young tree every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Amazon brunfelsia?
Amazon brunfelsia (Brunfelsia amazonica) belongs to the Solanaceae family within the Brunfelsia genus. Amazon brunfelsia is native to Brazil, Peru.
Amazon brunfelsia displays a bushy shrub with upright habit growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Amazon brunfelsia produces fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that change color from purple to white.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Amazon brunfelsia?
Water a young or newly planted Amazon brunfelsia every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Amazon brunfelsia Need?
Amazon brunfelsia thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Amazon brunfelsia in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Amazon brunfelsia Prefer?
Brunfelsia amazonica tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Amazon brunfelsia prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Amazon brunfelsia?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost for Brunfelsia. Good drainage is essential for Amazon brunfelsia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Amazon brunfelsia?
Feed Amazon brunfelsia every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Amazon brunfelsia?
Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining, fertile soil with added compost for Brunfelsia. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Amazon brunfelsia is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 12b.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Amazon brunfelsia?
Amazon brunfelsia can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 5 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Amazon brunfelsia?
Prune Amazon brunfelsia while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.
How Do You Care for a Amazon brunfelsia in Winter?
Amazon brunfelsia is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Amazon brunfelsia?
Amazon brunfelsia can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to lady's slipper plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Amazon brunfelsia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Amazon brunfelsia?
Amazon brunfelsia is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Amazon brunfelsia Need?
Amazon brunfelsia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Amazon brunfelsia is native to Brazil, Peru. In cooler regions, grow Amazon brunfelsia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10b – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Amazon brunfelsia is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Brunfelsia genus — compare its care with other Brunfelsia species on PlantoScan.
Brunfelsia is part of the Solanaceae plant family — browse all Solanaceae genera and species.
Amazon brunfelsia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Brunfelsia Species
Other Brunfelsia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Brunfelsia amazonica C.V.Morton, family Solanaceae (first published in Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 62: 151. 1949) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Amazon brunfelsia is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
