Step-By-Step Guide On How To Grow Butterfly Pea Flower

Butterfly pea flowers are known for their stunning blue blossoms, low maintenance, and are often used in tea. These flowers also attract pollinators, particularly butterflies. Having them in the garden will amaze your neighbors! So, let's learn how to grow butterfly pea flowers, then put on gloves and get going!

Step-By-Step Guide On How To Grow Butterfly Pea Flower

  1. What butterfly pea flower needs to grow?

  2. How to grow butterfly pea flower from seeds indoors

     2.1 Remove bad seeds and soak seeds

     2.2 Prepare soil and sow

     2.3 Dewater and take care of seeds

  3. How to grow butterfly pea flower outdoors (in your garden)

     3.1 Select good seeds

     3.2 Choose a location

     3.3 Sow seeds

     3.4 Water

  4. Care for your butterfly pea flower

     4.1 Water properly

     4.2 Prune leaves

     4.3 Collect seeds and flowers

  5. Where to buy butterfly pea flower seeds to grow?

  6. Conclusion

1. What butterfly pea flower needs to grow?

To grow butterfly pea flowers in your garden, consider the following essential elements: soil, water, sunlight, temperature, and support.

Soil: Butterfly pea plants are not particular about soil types but require good drainage. If planting in a pot, ensure it has at least two drainage holes and fill it with light, well-draining potting soil. Although the plant prefers acidic soil, it can grow in sandy or nutrient-poor soil.

Water: Once established, butterfly pea plants are drought-tolerant and require watering only during hot, dry weather. However, water newly planted butterfly pea plants regularly and reduces the frequency as new growth emerges.

Sun: As tropical natives, butterfly pea plants thrive in full sun, though they can also tolerate partial shade. Note that fewer flowers will bloom in shader conditions.

Temperature: Butterfly pea plants prefer humid environments above 60°F, though the optimal range is 75-89°F. Most areas in the United States can support these flowers during the summer months.

Support: With the potential to grow up to 10 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide, butterfly pea plants need support structures like trellises, archways, or nearby shrubs. Alternatively, let the flowers climb from a hanging porch basket for a more dramatic look.

2. How to grow butterfly pea flower from seeds indoors

The best place to grow butterfly peas is outdoors (in your garden), but you can also grow them indoors (in a medium pot). And it's great to decorate your balcony! Follow these steps:

2.1 Remove bad seeds and soak seeds

Begin by selecting old, healthy black or dark brown seeds, round and firm. Test their viability by placing them in a cup of water; after about 15 minutes, healthy seeds should sink. Allow the seeds to soak in water for 12 hours to soften their skins, preparing them for germination.

2.2 Prepare soil and sow

Fill a medium-sized pot with a well-draining mixture of sand, compost, and potting soil, providing the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Create a small hole about 2.5 cm deep in the soil, place a seed inside, and gently cover the hole with the soil without pressing too hard.

2.3 Dewater and take care of seeds

Water the seed thoroughly until the soil is wet and water drains from the holes. Position the pot in a sunny location, receiving 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.

3. How to grow butterfly pea flower outdoors (in your garden)

Beautify your garden with these beautiful blue flowers! Here's how to grow them outdoors:

3.1 Select good seeds

Whether growing butterflies indoors or outdoors, you always need good seeds. You need a reputable source to get good seeds with a high germination rate. Next, screen out bad and broken seeds and keep the firm and round seeds for planting.

3.2 Choose a location

Choose a location with 6-8 hours of sunlight daily, away from large trees and shrubs for outdoor planting. Test the soil drainage by observing the area after heavy rain; if puddles remain after 1-2 hours, choose another spot. Fast-draining, sandy soil is ideal for butterfly peas.

3.3 Sow seeds

Choose a location in your garden to plant butterfly pea seeds and dig a small hole using your fingertip. Place the seeds in the hole and lightly cover them with soil.

3.4 Water

Water the planting area thoroughly since pea plants love moisture, especially when they're just beginning to grow. Using a hose or watering can provide ample water for the roots to penetrate the soil.

4. Care for your butterfly pea flower

Once planted, these blue flowers require little care. But keep an eye on them and water them daily if you want them to bloom profusely.

4.1 Water properly

Ensure the plants receive water daily to keep them healthy, as butterfly pea flowers require significant water. Soak the soil surrounding the plant daily until it's moist but not soggy, and skip watering if there's sufficient rainfall.

4.2 Prune leaves

While most butterfly pea plants don't need extensive pruning, their leaves can droop if overgrown. Use sharp pruners to trim the leaves in the spring, leaving at least 7-10 centimeters of the plant intact for continued growth.

4.3 Collect seeds and flowers

If you enjoy the appearance of your pea plants, harvest the pods from the vines in the spring. Extract the seeds and plant more if desired. To use butterfly pea flowers for tea or extracts, remove the flower heads from the vines in the spring, spread them out in the sun, and let them dry for a few weeks before storing them.

5. Where to buy butterfly pea flower seeds to grow?

Butterfly pea plants may not be readily available at your local grocery store. Still, you can find seeds for sale through online retailers like Etsy and Amazon. These platforms offer a wide variety of options for your gardening needs.

Local gardening centers or home improvement centers might also have butterfly pea seeds, but if not, purchasing them online is a great alternative.

TheRike is a recommended source for buying butterfly pea seeds or any seasonal seeds at affordable prices and with convenient shipping services. Don't forget that butterfly pea flowers have a lower germination rate. Hence, purchasing extra seeds is wise when placing your order.

6. Conclusion