Plant Database / Moonflower vine plant care

Moonflower vine

Ipomoea alba

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'Moonflower vine' is a plant in the Ipomoea genus with a scientific name of Ipomoea alba. The botanical name epithet for Moonflower vine (alba) means 'white coloured'.

Fragrant white nightbloomer…4"-6" white flowers.
Flowers close up at noon.
Short lived, few years only.
Natural habitat is wet tropical forests and watercourses.
Potential to be weed in USA and Australia.
Young leaves, fleshy calyces and seeds can be cooked.

It is a flower that typically grows as an evergreen, which is defined as a plant that retains leaves throughout the year. Moonflower vine is known for its vine habit and growing to a height of approximately 5.00 metres (16.25 feet). This plant tends to bloom in late summer. Popular varieties of Moonflower vine with home gardeners are Giant White, Evening Glory, and Fragrant.

Moonflower vine is normally fairly low maintenance and is normally quite easy to grow, as long as a level of basic care is provided throughout the year. Being aware of the basic soil, sun and water preferences will result in a happier and healthier plant.

This plant info is provided by the myfolia gardener's wiki. All details about Moonflower vine have been kindly provided by our members.

How to grow Moonflower vine

Full Sun
+
Medium

Dilute liquid fertilizer during growing period, but keep drier in winter.

At least 6 hours of sunlight a day for flowering.

In frosty areas, cut off tops in autumn and cover roots with mulch.
In really cold areas, give up and grow them as annuals.

Try to plant in a location that enjoys full sun and remember to water moderately. Keep in mind when planting that Moonflower vine is thought of as tender, so remember to wait until your soil is warm and the night time temperature is well above freezing before moving outside.

Growing Moonflower vine from seed

Cut a notch in the seed with a file, or soak for several hours in sulfuric acid or overnight in warm water.
Sow in autumn if winters are mild (then you don’t have to worry about seed pre-treatment), otherwise in spring.

Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 11.7 inches (30.0 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.98 inches (2.5 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 16°C / 61°F to ensure good germination.

Transplanting Moonflower vine

Plant 5-7 well-rooted seedlings in a 8-12" pot.
Water only moderately until pot is filled with roots.
Crowding is thought to improve flowering.

Help 1"-2"- seedlings to twine around trellis, etc.

Can also be grown from cuttings, layering, root division, tubers on stems.

Companion plants for Moonflower vine

These plants have been known to grow well alongside Moonflower vine so consider planting:

Repellent plants for Moonflower vine

These plants will not grow well with Moonflower vine so avoid planting these within close proximity:

Latest Moonflower vine Reviews

15 Sep 2012

Cremmy18's Moonflower vine 'Giant White' was Reviewed day 217

An amazing, intriguing, beautiful, long lasting, but slow blooming climber! Both this one, and the 2nd planting have done splendid, taking over and hardened off quickly in their new home, covering their space thoroughly!

5 stars

See all Moonflower vine reviews and experiences »

Moonflower vine care instructions

Category The lifecycle that this Moonflower vine exhibits. Evergreen Difficulty How easy is Moonflower vine to grow? Easy 2/5
Lifecycle The lifecycle that this Moonflower vine exhibits. Evergreen Growth Habit What shape or habit does Moonflower vine grow into? Vine
Hardiness How frost hardy is Moonflower vine? Tender Country of Origin Where did Moonflower vine come from? Help build our wiki!
Mature Height How tall does Moonflower vine grow? 5.00 metres / 16.25 feet Mature Spread How wide does Moonflower vine grow? Help build our wiki!
USDA Zone Range Which zones does Moonflower vine grow best in? Zone 8 to pH Range The level of acidity for Moonflower vine. -
Water Requirements How much water does Moonflower vine require? Medium Nitrogen Requirements How much nitrogen fertilizer does Moonflower vine need? Medium
Soil What sort of soil should I plant Moonflower vine in? Loam Sun How much sunlight does Moonflower vine need to grow? Full Sun
Can Sow Direct? Can Moonflower vine be sown directly? No Sowing Depth How deep to plant Moonflower vine? 2.5 cm / 0.98 inches
Sowing Distance Apart How far apart to plant Moonflower vine? 30.0 cm / 11.7 inches Sowing Row Distance Apart How far apart to plant rows of Moonflower vine? Help build our wiki!
Ideal Germination Temperature Range What temperatures does Moonflower vine need in order to germinate? 16°C / 61°F to 22°C / 72°F Growing Temperatures What temperatures are best to grow Moonflower vine in? Help build our wiki! to Help build our wiki!
Planting Distance Apart How far apart to plant Moonflower vine seedlings. Help build our wiki! Planting Row Distance Apart How far apart to plant rows of Moonflower vine seedlings. Help build our wiki!
Bloom Time When will Moonflower vine bloom? Late Summer Harvest Time When is Moonflower vine ready for harvest? Help build our wiki!
Pruning Time When should I prune Moonflower vine? Help build our wiki!

How long does Moonflower vine take to grow?

These estimates for how long Moonflower vine takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world. Start logging and journaling your observations to participate!

Days to Germination How long does it take Moonflower vine to germinate? 9 days Average 9 days | Min 3 days | Max 20 days (26)
Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Moonflower vine? + 19 days Average 19 days | Min 10 days | Max 44 days (3)
Days to Maturity How long until Moonflower vine is ready for harvest / bloom? + 156 days Average 156 days | Min 148 days | Max 173 days (3)
Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Moonflower vine? = 184 days

Footnotes

Popular varieties of Moonflower vine

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