Can I grow this indoors?

Yes, it thrives in a bright, sunny window if you maintain high humidity.

How often should I prune it?

Prune it in late winter or early spring to encourage bushier growth and more flowers.

Plant guide

Golden trumpet.

Allamanda cathartica

Pronounced al-uh-MAN-duh kath-AR-tih-kuh

Also known as Buttercup, Golden Trumpet, Yellow Bell, allamanda, common trumpetvine, golden-trumpet, yellow allamanda

Allamanda cathartica — Photo by Damien Wallace (CC0) via gbif

The golden trumpet is a stunning tropical vine known for its large, bright yellow, funnel shaped flowers. It loves warm weather and thrives when it gets plenty of sunshine. You will find it makes a beautiful addition to a trellis or fence in frost free climates.

Another photo of Golden trumpet — Photo by dhfischer (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Tropical vine
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 10 to 20 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 11
Bloom time: Spring to fall

Care

Provide a sturdy support for the vines to climb and keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season. Watch for yellowing leaves which often indicate poor drainage or overwatering. Prune back the stems after flowering to encourage a bushier shape and more blooms next time.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing months.
Pruning: Trim back long stems in late winter or early spring to maintain size.
Repotting: Move to a larger container once the roots fill the current pot.
Soil: Well draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 15 to 35°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The milky sap is toxic and can cause skin irritation or internal poisoning if swallowed.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, as it contains compounds that can cause digestive upset.
Children: Keep this plant away from children as the sap is irritating and the plant is poisonous if eaten.
Contact allergens: The milky latex sap can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There is no significant evidence of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested and can cause severe gastrointestinal distress.

How to identify it

Large trumpet shaped yellow flowers
Glossy dark green evergreen leaves
Vining growth habit
Milky white sap in stems

Height: 2 to 6m
Spread: 1.5 to 3m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: yellow, 7 to 12cm
Fruit: brown, Late summer

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Spider MitesCommon
ChlorosisUncommon
Root RotUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Move containers indoors before the first frost. Keep the plant in a bright, warm spot and reduce watering significantly during the winter months.
In containers: It grows very well in large containers, provided the pot is at least 40 centimeters wide and has excellent drainage.

Stem Cuttings

1. Take a 15 centimeter cutting from a non-flowering stem.
2. Remove the lower leaves.
3. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
4. Place in a moist, well-draining potting mix.
5. Cover with a plastic bag to maintain high humidity until rooted.

Pair this vine with other sun-loving tropicals that appreciate consistent moisture and rich soil.

Grows well with

Hibiscus · They share similar tropical light and moisture requirements.
Lantana · Both plants love full sun and provide a vibrant contrast in color.

Similar species

Mandevilla · They share a similar vining habit and trumpet shaped flowers.

Science

Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Allamanda
Order: Gentianales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tropical South America, specifically Brazil.
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered or protected.

It grows as a woody vine in tropical forests, climbing over other vegetation to reach sunlight.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Uses: ornamental vine, trellis cover, container plant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 7/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this indoors?: Yes, it thrives in a bright, sunny window if you maintain high humidity.
How often should I prune it?: Prune it in late winter or early spring to encourage bushier growth and more flowers.

Where the name comes from

The genus honors Swiss botanist Frederic Louis Allamand, while the species name cathartica refers to its historical use as a purgative.

Good to know

It is often called the golden trumpet vine.
The plant is native to Brazil.
It requires plenty of sunlight to produce its signature yellow blooms.
It is a vigorous grower that needs regular pruning to stay tidy.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.