About Butterfly Pea
Butterfly pea is an annual vine known for its stunning flowers with their characteristic bluish color that is used in natural food coloring. It is often grown for its ornamental value and its use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties when making blue tea.
When to Plant Butterfly Pea Seeds
Plant in early spring, after the danger of hard frost has passed. The plants can tolerate a light frost, so early spring is ideal.
Where to Plant Butterfly Pea Seeds
Butterfly pea is a trailing vine and therefore needs a trellis or other support structure for the vines to climb. The benefits a trellis provides is two-fold: it ensures better air circulation to stave off powdery mildew and allows easier harvesting of flowers.
Set your structure in full sun where butterfly pea thrives best. Some shade is tolerated as long as the plants receive six to ten hours of sunlight daily. Choose a location containing rich, well-drained soil with moderate moisture. Ensure the soil is fertile and amended with organic matter to improve fertility and drainage if necessary. Loosen the soil to a depth of eight to ten inches. Remove any weeds, rocks, or debris.
Butterfly pea grows best in temperatures ranging from 65°F to 82°F. When grown in USDA hardiness zones 11-12, it acts as a perennial. At lower zones, it is an annual with sensitivity to temperatures below 60°F.
How to Plant Butterfly Pea Seeds
Butterfly pea seeds have a hard coat. To improve germination rates, gently nick or scarify the seed coat with a knife or sandpaper. After nicking, soak the seeds in warm water for 12 to 24 hours to soften the seed coat further and promote quicker germination.
Sow seeds directly outdoors when the soil temperature is between 65°F to 80°F.
Plant seeds one inch deep, three inches apart in rows or clusters. Once seedlings emerge and grow a bit, thin them to 6 to 12 inches apart to allow adequate space for mature plants.
Keep soil evenly moist during the germination period, but avoid water logging the soil. Seeds will germinate in 10 to 21 days.
How to Care for Butterfly Peas
Once plants are established, water moderately. Butterfly pea plants prefer consistent moisture but can tolerate short periods of drought. To reduce the risk of disease, water at the base of the plants, avoiding overhead watering. Ensure good air circulation around the plants as well.
Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Use a balanced fertilizer or compost tea during the growing season to promote healthy growth and abundant flowering.
Rotate planting locations yearly to avoid soil-borne diseases. Avoid planting legumes in the same spot consecutively. Pick flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming. Flowers can be used fresh or dried for making blue tea. Allow some pods to mature and dry on the plant if you want to save seeds for future planting. Harvest the dried pods and store seeds in a cool, dry place.
In cooler zones after the first fall frost, remove plant debris from the garden to reduce the risk of overwintering pests and diseases. In warmer zones, vines should be trimmed back to soil level. Add compost or organic matter to the soil to prepare for the next growing season