butterfly pea
Clitoria ternatea
MBG Plant of Merit 2022
USDA zones10 to 12
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles dry to moderate soil
Size1 to 15 feet tall3 to 6 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Creeping
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Blue, white
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, neutral, alkaline
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) is a vine for borders, cottage gardens, and privacy screens. It grows outdoors year-round in USDA zone 10 and warmer, down to about 30°F (-1°C). In colder areas, grow it as a houseplant or bring it indoors for winter. This plant likes full or part sun and dry to average, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. It grows fast and bears blue or white flowers from spring through autumn. Butterflies and birds visit it.
Pairs well with Arabella clematis, Pineapple sage, and Nasturtium.
Native range
Tropical Africa and Eastern Asia.