Days to Maturity: 80
Blue Butterfly Pea is a perennial (Zones 11 and 12) herb, often grown as an annual, that blooms continuously summer through fall. Lush and tropical looking, this charming vine sets large pea-shaped flowers with vibrant clear-blue double petals and yellowish throats. Borne singly, in pairs, or in groups of 3, the delicate blooms arise from the axils of leaves along the slender trailing stems. The dried flowers can be used to add blue color to food and beverages, or they can be made into a healthful tea.
This plant is a Clitoria ternatea, commonly called blue butterfly pea, blue pea, or butterfly pea. Although typically grown for its ornamental beauty, the plant also has extraordinary medicinal value. Extracts of C. ternatea roots and leaves have been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, and today, many of its pharmacological benefits have been confirmed in scientific studies. Its antioxidant properties, which benefit eyesight, skin, and hair, among other things, are well documented. It has also been reported to demonstrate anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidiabetic, and antipyretic activities, alleviating symptoms of numerous ailments, including fever, inflammation, pain, and many others. It's widely used as a supplement to enhance cognitive functions as well as to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
Blue Butterfly Pea is an herbaceous plant in the Fabaceae family that grows naturally in tropical and subtropical environments. Fast-growing, the vine can reach a height of 10 to 15 feet in a single season in optimal conditions. Grow on a support, such as an arbor or trellis, in a container, or allow it to waterfall in beautiful blue cascades from a hanging basket.
Blue Butterfly Pea grows best in locations with full sun and fertile, consistently moist, well-draining soil. In hot climates, some afternoon shade may be beneficial; however, Blue Butterfly has been specially selected to be extremely heat tolerant. Although butterfly pea can withstand arid conditions, ample moisture is preferred.
A nitrogen-fixing plant, Blue Butterfly naturally improves the soil in which it is planted by taking nitrogen from the air and converting it into a usable form in the soil, ideal for crop rotation.
Although growing butterfly pea from seed is easy, germination can be a little tricky. Manual or chemical scarification promotes germination. And keeping soil evenly moist (not soggy) and temperatures in a range between 75° to 89°F is imperative for success. The plants are susceptible to frost damage. Row covers offer added protection from excessively cold temperatures.
