African Trumpet Flower Plant Care

African Trumpet Flower (Fernandoa adenophylla) belongs to the Bignoniaceae family within the Fernandoa genus. African Trumpet Flower is native to the Andaman Islands, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. African Trumpet Flower is also known as Red Bell Bush.

African Trumpet Flower displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. African Trumpet Flower produces showy trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of orange and red.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

Water a young or newly planted African Trumpet Flower 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.

African Trumpet Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Fernandoa adenophylla tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. African Trumpet Flower prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Rich, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for African Trumpet Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed African Trumpet Flower 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and rich, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

African Trumpet Flower 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.

African Trumpet Flower can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 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.

Prune African Trumpet Flower 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.

African Trumpet Flower 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.

African Trumpet Flower can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to fernandoa lutea plant care, which shares the same genus.

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African Trumpet Flower is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. 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.

African Trumpet Flower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. African Trumpet Flower is native to the Andaman Islands, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. In cooler regions, grow African Trumpet Flower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.