Clitoria Species, Bluebell, Blue Pea Vine, Butterfly Pea
Clitoria ternatea
Family: | Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Clitoria (klih-TOH-ree-uh) (Info) |
Species: | ternatea (tern-AH-tee-uh) (Info) |
Synonym: | Clitoria albiflora |
Synonym: | Clitoria bracteata |
Synonym: | Clitoria coelestris |
Synonym: | Clitoria parviflora |
Synonym: | Clitoria philippensis |

Category:
Annuals
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Vines and Climbers
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Evergreen
Smooth
Foliage Color:
Blue-Green
Chartreuse/Yellow
Height:
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
Spacing:
3-6 in. (7-15 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Can be grown as an annual
Danger:
N/A
Bloom Color:
Dark Blue
Medium Blue
Blue-Violet
Medium Purple
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size:
1"-2"
Bloom Time:
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
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
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Attalla, Alabama
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Jones, Alabama
Phoenix, Arizona
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Dinuba, California
London, California
Rancho Calaveras, California
Valley Springs, California
Altamonte Springs, Florida
Boca Raton, Florida(2 reports)
Bokeelia, Florida
Bradenton, Florida
Bradley, Florida
Clermont, Florida
Daytona Beach, Florida
Defuniak Springs, Florida
Deland, Florida
Fort Pierce, Florida
Hollywood, Florida(2 reports)
Jacksonville, Florida
Lake Worth, Florida
Miami, Florida
Naples, Florida
Plant City, Florida
Pompano Beach, Florida(3 reports)
Port Charlotte, Florida
Rockledge, Florida(2 reports)
Satellite Beach, Florida
Spring Hill, Florida
Stuart, Florida
West Palm Beach, Florida
Zephyrhills, Florida
Patterson, Georgia
Thomson, Georgia
Villa Rica, Georgia
Haiku, Hawaii
Kihei, Hawaii
Barbourville, Kentucky
Baton Rouge, Louisiana(2 reports)
Belle Rose, Louisiana
Slaughter, Louisiana
Youngsville, Louisiana
Pinckney, Michigan
Washington, Michigan
Brandon, Mississippi
Allentown, New Jersey
Rochelle Park, New Jersey
Angola, New York
Dundee, Ohio
Salem, Oregon
Mercer, Pennsylvania
Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes
Arlington, Texas
Austin, Texas
Bacliff, Texas
Bryan, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Floresville, Texas
Garland, Texas
Harker Heights, Texas
Harlingen, Texas
Houston, Texas(4 reports)
Katy, Texas
Magnolia, Texas
Needville, Texas
Point, Texas
Port Arthur, Texas
Portland, Texas
Rosenberg, Texas
Spring, Texas
Smithfield, Virginia
Everett, Washington
Kalama, Washington
Spangle, Washington
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
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Positive | On Sep 1, 2020, hotbuthumid from Houston, TX (Zone 9a) wrote: Mine's blooming in what for us in Houston is the middle of our six months of summer. It's in with an Angel's Trumpet I water daily. I found this video: |
Positive | On Sep 18, 2019, eawall from Irvington, NJ wrote: Bought seeds this spring to plant for the pollinators without knowing the various benefits of this vine. Collected flowers and pods today for tea and stir fries. The fact that the flowers are edible and used for food dye is very useful |
Positive | On Aug 27, 2019, margaran from (Maggie) Jacksonville, FL (Zone 9a) wrote: Easy to grow from seed. Makes a lovely wall of blue/green against my fence. In zone 9, it usually dies back in winter so not invasive for me. Larval host plant for Long Tailed Skipper butterfly. |
Positive | On Jun 28, 2019, SVK from Bangalore, @nette_j |
Positive | On Jun 26, 2019, nette_j from SCHOFIELDS, I've read through all the comments but can't find any reference to seed. |
Positive | On Jul 19, 2018, Mendozra711 from Corpus Christi, TX wrote: I was given seeds from a co-worker. I planted them in my backyard to fill in a hole my puppy dug up. Within 6 weeks this vine began climbing! It boasts beautiful purple and yellow flowers. There is an empty pot beside the plant with potting soil and today, while taming the vine with floral wire, I noticed a pod growing, actually two! We were flooded a few weeks ago so over watering in South Texas is not a problem for this plant. In fact, it's thriving. I have not picked any of the flowers but plan on adding them to salads and experimenting with other dishes as well. The pods will go to my mother. She loves the flowers this vine produces. |
Neutral | On Jan 1, 2017, TersaPluto from Mount Dora, FL wrote: I have more of a question than a comment, for anyone here in central Florida. I've planted some Butterfly Pea seeds, and the seedlings are coming up now. Keeping the little pots with the seedling indoors until the spring, except for putting them outside on nice afternoons like today. |
Positive | On Oct 17, 2016, djohn1996 from Zephyrhills, FL (Zone 9b) wrote: @rahuljawale From my experience with Clitoria vines and from what I've read, the things that cause them to produce lush or leggy growth with few flowers are: over-watering; not enough of the nutrients potassium, sulfur and phosphorus; or too much high-nitrogen fertilizer (Miracle-Gro). Ours get shade for about half the day so they need less water than in full sun all day, but I only water them once a week in absence of rain. Every 3 months March through November, I give them 6-8-10 slow-release fertilizer granules with Epsom Salt added for sulfur and a small amount of 2-14-0 for phosphorus. I only occasionally apply Miracle-Gro and only diluted to 1/4 strength. I'm not a professional grower so I don't know if that's the best regimen, but it works very well, as our Clitoria vines remain... read more |
Positive | On Aug 22, 2016, rahuljawale from Hyderabad, I have a Blue Pea Vine which flowered for a few months after it was bought at the local nursery. And then for almost a year, i.e. till today, I have not seen a single flower on this vine. There have been a time of neglect in terms of feeding but I never stopped watering the plant. |
Positive | On Aug 31, 2014, prakashbabu from coimbatore, i want to know any other colours than blue,white available if amy one can find red or yellow please let me know |
Positive | On Aug 5, 2014, sueroderus from Bluffton, SC (Zone 8b) wrote: Beautiful vine as others have already said. It is one of the host plants for the Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus). and this week a female layed eggs on my plant. In my zone 8b it will probably not come back unless we have a mild winter. So far I have not had seeds, but will keep hoping. |
Positive | On Oct 5, 2013, megcan from Fort Smith, AR wrote: I was introduced to this flowering vine in Thailand. We were served Butterfly Pea in the form of cool aid. It was very refreshing. We were then told that it was good for high cholesterol and the flower could be eaten. We tried one and it had a mild sweet taste. |
Positive | On Sep 5, 2013, yingthai from Phoenix, AZ wrote: I grew mine from seeds that I bought from a U.S. sellers on eBay. They're producing beautiful flowers right now. You can use them in salads or grind them with a little water and use the liquid as natural food color. |
Positive | On Aug 20, 2013, Rhensrude from Everett, WA wrote: I live in Everett, WA, about 30 miles north of Seattle. I purchased the seeds from Thompson and Morgan. I sowed them under grow lights with bottom heat in April. I noticed my first bloom tonight with more buds on the way. |
Positive | On Jun 22, 2013, eslwoman from Victoria, Through this wonderful site, I have just discovered the name and data on a few seedlings I have been calling my "Magical Mystery Plants." I knew they were vines because of their twining nature, but never mind that boring stuff--on with the story! |
Positive | On Jan 21, 2013, PaulaSFL from Stuart, FL wrote: Wonderful vine that gives color to a winter garden in Florida. Attracts butterflies, bees and is easy to grow. |
Positive | On Oct 15, 2012, Bharat_Sanghavi from Trenton, NJ (Zone 6b) wrote: In India, Butterfly Pea is commonly known as Gokarn or Kajli. i have this vine in my private garden since four years. and at present, it has reached height of 9 meters by creeping on a nearby tree. now all i do is water it once a day. during rainy season, i avoid watering lest it may rot. |
Positive | On Aug 20, 2012, Mtn_CrazyLady from Attalla, AL wrote: The Butterfly Pea grows in places I cant get the grass to grow here. It is pretty (my Mom loves it), and I don't have to take care of it. |
Positive | On Jun 18, 2012, acemy from Brandon, MS wrote: I found this vine growing in the woods behind my house in Mississippi. It took awhile to find out what it was. |
Positive | On Dec 18, 2011, rolfkjo from nong khai, There is also a white clitorea butterfly.. I have it! |
Positive | On Aug 16, 2011, koa from Haiku, HI wrote: This is one tough little vine! I found it growing wild along the side of the road outside of the central landfill in Kahului, Hawaii (on the island of Maui). The rainfall there is about 18 to 19 inches a year. Everything else around it had turned brown and died from lack of water. This little plant was green and blooming! I tried to dig it up, but the ground was as hard as cement. I half pried and half yanked and got a few small clumps of the plant. I separated the plants at the roots and planted several in pots. They grew! I also took some of the seedpods and tried to grow the plant from seed, though the pods were still green. They didn’t grow. |
Positive | On Apr 4, 2010, agardener100 from Muscat, Easy to grow vigorous annual or perennial in frost free areas. Propagate from seed, plants bloom in 7-10 weeks from germination. Easy to germinate from seed, soak the seed over night, germination from 7-10 days usually 100%. Great for quick fence cover. The plants become leggy quickly so pinch out the terminal buds to keep the plant bushy and flowering where you can see it. Like all pea plants the roots fix nitrogen and improved the soil fertility. Can be grown as a green manure and dug into the soil after 2-3 months. Its edible and can also be used to feed animals. In frost areas collect the seed to replant the next year. Tolerant of a wide range of soils and including alkaline soils. In very hot climates 45C, 113F it appreciates some shade from the afternoon sun. |
Neutral | On Nov 12, 2009, bijoux2 from Hollywood, FL wrote: I purchased 3 of these plants (double flowers) from Home Depot to grow on 3' x 9' trellises. While they started out growing beautifully up the trellis, certain parts of the plant are now wilting, turning yellow and starting to die. Other parts of the plant are still thriving with dark green leaves and an abundance of flowers. I have been cutting away the dying parts of the plant, but I don't now why this happening. I want these plants to cover the trellises, but I am having a lot difficulty. Thinking I should replace them with something else, but they are so beautiful (the parts that are thriving) I don't want to remove them. Any suggestions? Thank you. |
Positive | On Jul 13, 2009, khabbab from lahore, It is more of a shrub than vine here in lahore Pakistan. It blooms from June till October. I have one with double blooms and blue color. I am growing it in a clay pot. This is my first experience with this vine. Its leaves are very beautiful. It is fast growing vine. it has reduced flowers in extreme summer heat of over 100F specially in full sun. It is called "Neelofar" locally. |
Positive | On Sep 10, 2008, cynixeyes from Bangkok, Edible purple food dyes are also extracted from the butterfly pea flower ("anchan" flower) in Thailand, and used in making desserts. |
Positive | On Sep 3, 2007, ETexChuckC from Point, TX wrote: I found the Butterfly Pea last year growing under a Cedar out in the woods. Until recently though a total mystery flower. I have a walking path around the woods and past where It's growing. I hadn't noticed it prior to last year (2006). I searched and asked around but nada. A week ago, I sent a picture around to my family and my daughter replied -- "it looks like..." And voila, I did a search, found Dave's site and it's no longer a mystery. The soil out here, 60 miles east of Dallas, is sandy clay pH unknown. With all the rain and cooler temps we've had this year there are lots of flowers and I'm collecting seeds. The plan is to start it growing close to the house for all to enjoy. Enjoyed looking at all the pictures and uploaded one I took recently. |
Positive | On Sep 13, 2006, carolschuman from Arlington, TX (Zone 7b) wrote: These grow as cool season annuals here in zone 7/8, going by what I have seen and read online. They reseed so easily that I am happy to have them as annuals. I had the white (alba) variety when I moved to this house last May and was given seeds for the blue last fall (2005). I planted the blue in the spring '06, but with the dry conditions we had this summer, I was afraid I wouldn't get any blooms and might even lose them. Luckily I had one survivor and today I seen my first bloom on it! |
Neutral | On Jul 30, 2006, jeaninpgh from Pittsburgh, PA wrote: planted it here in z 6 outdoors will update w survival info next spring!!cross your fngers as i see a neighbor of mine in longwood gardens had it return!! I get many many so called tender perennials back here so am trying this & black bamboo this yr... |
Positive | On Aug 26, 2005, mgagnon from Spring Hill, FL wrote: Lovely vine, have searched for it since I picked up a few seeds at a local botanical garden here in Florida. So happy to know its name etc. It has given me much pleasure =just moved to a new home and will plant again. |
Positive | On Aug 11, 2005, tcfromky from Mercer, PA (Zone 5a) wrote: Growing beautifully at Lonwood Gardens, zone 6. |
Positive | On Apr 13, 2005, DawnRain from Bartow, FL wrote: This is a favorite perennial in my Florida garden where my original plant is several years old. And I do know it is the original and not a dropped seedling. It has been through freezes and come back from the roots. In a frostless year it is evergreen, but bloom production does fall off alot in Feb and Mar. Just starting to put on plenty of bloom now in April. This is the wonderful double variety. I also have single which does not seem to be as hardy and has to be replanted. And I have the single white in a plant going on 3 years old. |
Positive | On Apr 12, 2005, rjuddharrison from Houston, TX (Zone 9a) wrote: This vine has a remarkable ability to thrive in small pots, or moss lined hanging baskets. |
Positive | On Mar 12, 2004, Dinu from Mysore, It is a lovely vine to have, esp. the blue one and in particular, the double blues. Flower colour is stunning, easy to start from seed and grow. It can tolerate some neglect. Seed pods have to be removed when it is fully ripe -- you can know by shaking the pod to hear the seed rattle. When pressed along the edges, it opens out like a coiled spring. If seeds are not removed, they can reseed easily and the following growing season, you may find lots and lots of seedlings many feet around it, since the pods throw open with great force to disperse. All in all, it is a beauty. |
Positive | On Sep 29, 2003, TerriFlorida from Plant City, FL wrote: Blue butterfly pea vine never fails to attract attention. It grows easily here in central Florida. It sometimes overwinters, as Thunbergia alata will. It is tolerant of acidic soil and drought, but shows its appreciation of enough water by growing and flowering with abandon. You can sew seeds directly here in cooler weather. It grows much more easily for me than Morning Glory ever did! |
Positive | On Aug 1, 2003, ChristinaLee wrote: Would like to share this interesting note: |
Positive | On Nov 13, 2002, butterflypea wrote: Butterfly pea has naturalized on my property over the past 8 years. It is so a joy to so easily get that gorgeous blue color. It grows in all soil types and is drought tolerant. It does need some sun to flower. Each plant will produce beans that don't taste good, but contain seeds. The germination of these seeds is about 100%. Anyone can grow this vine! |
Positive | On May 24, 2002, JlpnSon from Lafayette, LA (Zone 8b) wrote: I have searched the internet for 3 days looking for this exact vine. I absolutely LOVED this vine. The flowers are a beautiful blue and the foilage is a consistent gorgeous medium to dark green. Mine did beautifully on the south side of the house where it got about 5 hours of direct mid day sunlight. It grows well without much fuss. (We have a huge oak tree that soaks up most of the water and nutrients from the soil, which has caused a problem for everything else, but not this vine) It could take over the flower bed easily, and that would be o.k. by me. We moved to Arizona and leased our house out and I some how ???? I forgot about the vine until I really got back into taking care of our yard again and I can not wait to have this vine again! |
Neutral | On Aug 10, 2001, mystic from Ewing, KY (Zone 6a) wrote: These are tender climbing vines. The leaves are made of 5 to 7 leaflets, each growing up to 4 inches long. The flowers resemble peas and are solitary, bright deep blue with light yellow markings to 2 inches long by 1½ inches wide. This vine is a quick cover for lattice, trellis, arbor and chain-link fences |