This fast grower fills the evening air with sweet fragrance.
This stunning vine offers 6-inch-wide flowers that open at dusk and release a sweet fragrance all night long.
Moonflower vine earned its moniker because the flowers open only at night.
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Because of this, use them to fill anocturnal niche in the gardenaccomplished by few other flowers.
Moonflower vine is usually grown as an annual, but it is a perennial in the tropics.
All parts of the Jimsonweed plant are toxic to pets and people, so use caution around it.
Credit: Doug Hetherington
The seeds of the moonflower vine(Ipomoea alba)are toxic to humans, pets, and livestock.
Moonflower vines can also be grown in large ceramic pots to enjoy on a patio.
However, the potted vines don’t seem to thrive like the in-ground ones.
Moonflower vine grows best in well-draining average soil.
Moonflower Care Tips
Light
Moonflower vinesgrow best in full sun.
They will grow in partial sun, but the volume of blooms is reduced.
However, it pops right back up if watered quickly enough.
Any hint of cold weather will kill them.
Moonflower vine loves hot, humid gardens.
Avoid ahigh-nitrogen fertilizerbecause you’ll end up with large green plants but few flowers.
Fertilize once a month during the summer, following product label directions.
Pruning
No pruning is necessary, althoughdeadheading spent flowersencourages additional blooms.
You won’t need to repot it.
Keep a look out for tomato or tobaccohornworms.
If you see one, pluck it off and drop it into soapy water.
How to Propagate Moonflower Vine
Gardeners can propagate moonflower vine withstem cuttingsor seeds.
Remove any foliage from the bottom half of the cutting and put it in a glass of water.
you might stop there because plenty of gardeners have success rooting moonflower vine in water.
If you prefer, fill a small pot with sterile potting mix and insert the cuttings.
Firm the planting medium around the stem, keeping it moist until roots form.
The secret to success is a warming mat placed under the stem containerwhether water or soil.
Seed:Gather a seed pod from the plant when it turns brown.
You’ll only have a day or so before it splits open and spills its seeds.
After it is completely dry, split initiate the pod and capture the seeds.
Keep them in a cool, dry place until you are ready to sow them.
Four to six weeks before the last spring frost date, soak the seeds overnight in warm water.
Sow them in seed-starting mix in small pots and cover them with a half inch of soil.
Water the pot and place it in a well-lit area that is 65F or warmer.
The seeds germinate in only a few days.
Transplant the seedlings outdoors after the weather warms.
Yes, moonflower vine produces only white flowers.
Moonflower blooms last only a single night, but the plant produces many blooms during its growing season.
Moonflower vines can grow 15 to 20 feet long.
They are relatively slow-growing in the spring, but when the weather warms, the vine growth increases dramatically.
North Carolina State University Extension.
