PlantFiles: Pink Moon Vine
Ipomoea macrorhiza

I have added an update to my original post. "I live in Central Florida and this plant blossoms in the early evening and then withers in the morning sun. Mine is a lovely shade of pale icy orchid with a deeper shaded throat. I have not had success in germinating the seeds so far. Does anyone have any suggestions as it bares them in great abundance each fall." It is now 2012, and I had so many blossoms last summer that I didn't even try to count them. The vine spread almost 16 feet on my farm fence and was absolutely outstanding each evening. I can hardly imagine how lush it will be this year as it has become more amazing each year. I was finally successful in germinating the seeds. I found that you must nip the outer seed casing slightly on the indented end of the seed (I used nail clippers), and then soak them overnight in a 50/50 solution of warm water and hydrogen peroxide to soften the hard outer shell so the seed can germinate properly. Then plant them in seed starter soil or peat pellets about 3/4" deep with the cut end down. Once true leaves appear you can take outside during the day to a shady spot during the day and back into the house at night. Plant outside after second set of true leaves are well developed, and the plant has gradually adjusted to full sun and fear of frost is over. New plants should flower the first year and develop a small tuber which if you live in zone 7 to 10 should shoot out new growth each year in the spring expanding in how far it spreads each year. The plant's greenery dies in the fall and can be cut back to allow clean areas to vine over in the spring. I wait until early spring to cut back the old vines so I can collect the seeds for next year.

I planted the seeds of this plant then lost the name of it. I had no idea what it was until it became a vine and had flowers to bloom, at night, much to my surprise. It is loaded with blossoms. Mine is a pink bloomer. I have not seen any moths on my plant so I used a very small artist brush to help matters along. I'm waiting to see if it works. I have a Datura bush that I did this to and now have two seed pods. Would like to see some pictures of some Pink Moon Flowers others have.

This is my first year to grow them and they are pretty but no smell.... I still like the white moon vine the best. I have added pic to show that these are not white, they are pale pink with darker pink eye.

This forms a tuberous root, which gets larger each year.

Mine didn't grow very much the first year, but the second year, it made it to 12 feet.

The blooms are absolutely gorgeous with their soft lavender/pink color, and deeper throat. The edges are beautifully scalloped.

Great night-blooming vine which is perfect for a moon garden and wonderful for attracting sphinx moths, (which look like nocturnal hummingbirds! lol...)

It is not fragrant, like regular moonflower vine, but makes up for it, with its sheer beauty!

...love it!
-T

One of the most beautiful vines I've ever grown! The flowers were huge and breathtaking, not fully opening until total nightfall. The huge flower buds and crinkly leaves made for an interesting daytime plant.

I have had this vine in my yard for at least 2-3 years and did not know it. It hid in a pink flowering vine and blooming late in the evening I was missing seeing it..The root is almost as big as a soccer ball.
I counted 65 blossoms in the 2003 blooming season and made sure that every seed was harvested!I will try my luck with the seed this spring.
The blossom is a luminous pink and so fragile looking.It would be ideal for a moon garden.
The beauty of it is that it comes back every year.I am in zone 7-8.

Neutral because I have just plamted 3 (2 in pots, one inground), in my zone 6ish garden & I have no idea how they'll perform for me. They are all in locations where they'll receive maximum sun. Being a tropical, I know I'll either have to bring them indoors in the fall or treat them as annuals. They're so inexpensive, I'll most likely treat them as annuals. Is this plant also called Moon Flower?? My plants were purchased under this name. It sure looks similar as do the leaves. If it is indeed Moon Flower they are highly fragrant & the flowers open in the evening. Moon Flower is in the Morning Glory family. Thanks for any help. Happy gardening! P.S. Aren't I a dolt?? Just clicked on the pic & by golly, there's my answer!! This is indeed Moon Flower!!! I'll just leave this here for any of my dolt-counterparts who are wondering the same thing & haven't clicked on the photo!!!

The tubers for this plant survived in a POT outdoors in Zone 7a, and we had one night at 3 degrees, our coldest in several years. Also, the bloom color is listed here as white, but it's really a lavender-pink.