Moonflower, Moon Vine, Giant White Moonflower 'Meekerii'
Ipomoea alba
| Family: | Convolvulaceae (kon-volv-yoo-LAY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Ipomoea (ip-oh-MEE-a) (Info) |
| Species: | alba (AL-ba) (Info) |
| Cultivar: | Meekerii |
Category:
Annuals
Vines and Climbers
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Herbaceous
Smooth
Foliage Color:
Height:
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color:
White/Near White
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Scarify seed before sowing
Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Crescent City, California
Brooksville, Florida
Dunnellon, Florida
Zephyrhills, Florida
Mcdonough, Georgia
Baltimore, Maryland
Pikesville, Maryland
Natick, Massachusetts
Licking, Missouri
Selma, North Carolina
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Lake Oswego, Oregon
Inman, South Carolina
Grand Saline, Texas
Shepherd, Texas
Temple, Texas
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Neutral | On Oct 17, 2016, Tiffit65 from Newport, NH (Zone 5a) wrote: I have tried growing Moonflowers for the last three years. They grow, and climb very beautifully, but when they get ready to flower, it's late September, early October. Frost hits, and I never get to see them bloom. |
| Neutral | On Sep 3, 2012, RxBenson from Pikesville, MD (Zone 7a) wrote: Apologies. I just posted the generic I. alba photo to this "Meekerii" page |
| Positive | On May 29, 2012, marialuisa2 from Selma, NC wrote: After many attempts in the last few years, I finally got the seeds to sprout and now have four(4) healthy seedlings doing fine growing in a good size pot. The seed packet said the blooms are fragant at night. I will post photos and document night fragance when it happens. |
| Positive | On Mar 23, 2011, ransom3 from Zephyrhills, FL wrote: |
| Neutral | On Jun 8, 2009, phydeaux from Crescent City, CA wrote: An acquaintance handed me a muddy little plant she'd jerked out of the ground about a year ago. She told me it was a "moonflower," and was very hardy. Hardy!! Talk about an understatement! Here in the warm, moist, highly acidic northwest corner of California, It's growing like gangbusters. It's almost scary -- I think it could easily do a kudzu thing. Since I planted it to hide the death throes of a shed, I think it's gonna do the trick. But I don't think anyone can control this plant -- it's off and running. It's beautiful and invasive. |
| Positive | On Jul 30, 2006, QueenB from Shepherd, TX (Zone 8b) wrote: This is a dark-seeded form of I. alba. The seedling proved to be very cold hardy, surviving short periods of freezing temps when I placed it out a little too early. Other tropical species I had planted near it experienced damage resulting in death. The mature vine isn't near as aggressive as the white-seeded form, being somewhat slow growing in spite of the fact that it's planted in an area that gets ample moisture. The vine also tends to be more wiry with less of the typical red pigmentation that the white has, and the flowers aren't quite as large. This may be a better cultivar for those who want the flowers, but not the massive amount of vines the white one produces, and also good for those who live in colder areas who have trouble growing this species. |
