Desert Trumpet Plant Care

Desert Trumpet (Idahoa scapigera) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Idahoa genus. Desert Trumpet is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to Montana. Desert Trumpet is also known as Desert Bells.

Desert Trumpet displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Desert Trumpet produces small clusters of white or yellow flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Desert Trumpet every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Desert Trumpet thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Idahoa scapigera tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Desert Trumpet prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Desert Trumpet to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Desert Trumpet every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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 well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Desert Trumpet is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Desert Trumpet can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 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 plant spacing calculator.

Prune Desert Trumpet 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 shrub in one year.

Desert Trumpet is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Desert Trumpet can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Desert Trumpet is susceptible to aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles. 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.

Desert Trumpet grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Desert Trumpet is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to Montana. In cooler regions, grow Desert Trumpet as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.