How to Prune Tecoma stans

Co-authored by Gus Briones

Last Updated: December 25, 2023 References

Many people are not sure how to prune or care for their Tecoma stans. Also known as Tecoma stans 'Yellow bells', or narrow-leaf trumpet bush, there are two larger specimens of Tecoma hybrids - one called 'Orange Jubilee' and another called 'Sunrise', which have orange and yellow flowers respectively.^{[1]
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Research source} For the sake of this tutorial, the pictures will "over-exaggerate" to show that you can't really hurt these if they are established. They love full sun and only a moderate amount of water. Give them a good soaking about once a week but will survive even if you do not water them for weeks or even months. They are difficult to kill.

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Don't be mistaken by the size of the cut, you can whack off a much larger section to achieve any shape you want to. Remember that the larger or more "woody" the cut you make, the less chance you will have for new growth from the next lower node on the stem. Tecomas will send up new growth from the next node and even from the base (soil level) of the plant. On each stem at the point of any leaf are two leaves. It is at those leaves that new growth will appear (note the new growth in the next image).^{[2]
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This is how the plant should look in a few months. Notice how two stems have grown on two sides of the cut that was made. If you want to "shape" your bush to grow outward, just prune the inside growth. Do the opposite if you want a tighter plant. If you're trying to set a limit to height, prune it about 30-45 cm (12-18 inches) below the desired height. This will allow for new growth to the limit you wish to have.

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Finish shaping your Tecoma to the size/shape desired, and you will start to get new growth like that shown in this image below. Many new growths come out of large woody sections after severe pruning and new growth or stocks develop from ground level. These are leggy plants, but if you're interested in using them as a small hedge - say to 1.5 m (4 or 5 foot), they can be trained to be full/thick bushes.
This height is about 1 m (3 foot) tall. After it grows back, you can see, in another picture to show how it fills out. Remember it will still grow leggy as new growth appears, but it will also add new growth at the lower limbs.
If you are interested in propagating your cuttings, stay only to the top 60 cm (24") of your pruning, cutting just below and just above each node, then trimming any excess leaves you might have.^{[3]
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How do I plant a trumpet bush?

Ninox

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Plant the bush in the fall or in the spring in a sunny place. It's also better if the bush is protected from the wind.

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When should I prune to get rid of brown speckled leaves in Arizona?

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Brown spots on leaves are often caused by insects like aphids. See if there is such an insect on your plant and act accordingly.

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When should I prune Tecoma stans?

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The best moment to prune Tecoma stans is right after the last flower.

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Tips

If you're looking to keep a height on them, only top prune about 50% of the upright limbs. After the cuts have made new growth, go back and prune the other 50%. Either way, you're not going to harm an established plant if you decide to top the whole plant at once.

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On plants that are a bit woody, use Hormex18 as a rooting compound and then root them in a mix of 60%vermiculite, 40% fine moss, then use that base to a 50/50 mix of perlite.

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