Growing the Moonflower plant from collected seeds.

Growing the Moonflower Giant White plant from collected seeds.
(Convolvulus Ipomoea alba)

Seed pod developing on the vine

Seed pod collected mid-winter.

Full size flower.

Getting started: Seeds. Gather seed from pods in late winter or early spring.

When & How to plant:

Outdoors: Plant after danger of all frost in late spring or early summer. Plant the seeds 8-12 inches apart and ½ " deep where the vine is to grow.

Greater success is achieved, by planting the seeds indoors in 4" peat pots. Moonvine seedlings do not transplant well.

Indoors.

About 4 to 6 before outdoor planting:

Use peat pots filled with a good potting mix. The seed is hard, so scratch the bottom where the root will emerge (you will see a little brown dot) with something hard- a file, a nail or even rub them on concrete- to scruff up the bottom of the seed. Then, soak the seeds overnight in warm water and plant ½" deep in the peat pots filled with moist potting mix. The seeds germinate in 7 to 20 days When seedlings have emerged place the pots in a well lighted area - under grow lights or a sunny south facing window sill and keep the mix moist. About one week before planting outdoors, place peat pots in a sheltered area to harden off.

Then plant the entire pot in full sun to part shade in poor - to -average, well-drained garden soil. Avoid over-fertilizing or over-watering which will produce lots of leaves and few flowers.

General information.

Plant: Moonvine, moonflower
Botanical name: Ipomoea Alba- also called Calonyction aculeatum
Type: Perennial in Tropical South, annual in other places.
Light: Full sun. Can take part shade in the South.
Water: 1 inch per week from Mother Nature or you. They are drought tolerant when established,
Description: The vine grows quickly to 15 - 20 feet and produces large heart- shaped leaves 3 to 8 inches long and 6 inch white flowers that open at dusk. The flowers usually close by morning but may remain open on overcast days.
Bloom time: Mid-June through frost.
Colors: White and a rare lavender pink.

Planting Tips

Don't plant in soil that is too rich
Don't use a lot of fertilizer
Soak seed overnight before planting
Identify seedlings so you don't weed them
They will re-seed themselves

Date this page was last modified 03/22/08