Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea)
Care, watering, light and tips for Butterfly pea on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Fabaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
About Butterfly pea
Clitoria ternatea, commonly known as Butterfly Pea or 'Blue Pea', is a perennial herbaceous vine from the Fabaceae family, cherished for its vibrant blue flowers with white or yellow markings at the center. Its morning-blooming flowers are edible and widely used in infusions, food coloring, and as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical gardens. It's perfect for covering pergolas, fences, or as a hanging plant, adding an exotic splash of color.
Native range
Tropical Asia, from India to Southeast Asia
Care tips
It requires full sun for abundant flowering, although it tolerates partial shade in very hot climates. Watering should be regular, keeping the substrate moist but not waterlogged, especially during its active growth period. It prefers well-drained soils, rich in organic matter, and with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. A common mistake is the lack of support, as being a vigorous climber, it needs structures to develop properly.
How to save a dying Butterfly pea
- Warning signs
- Yellowing or wilting leaves, no flowering, stunted growth. May indicate water stress or nutrient deficiency.
- First aid
- Check drainage and soil moisture. Water if dry, reduce if waterlogged. Fertilize with a balanced feed.
- What kills it
- Overwatering causing root rot or complete lack of water. Also, insufficient direct sunlight.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes! It's resilient. With adjustments in watering, light, and nutrients, it usually recovers well.