This tropical vine is the only plant in the milkweed family with blue flowers.
The sky-blue flowers of tweedia are tiny, but theyll stop you in your tracks.
Tweedia is native to South America, namely southern Brazil and Uruguay.
It attracts pollinators and makes a striking cut flower.
A common cultivar is Heavenly Blue,' which was introduced in the 1980s.
Tweedia is toxic to humans and pets.
Where to Plant Tweedia
Tweedia needs sunfull sunin northern climates and partial shade in southern climates.
The delicate flowers are easily damaged in heavy gusts and intense rain.
The soil should be moist but well-drained.
Backfill the hole and gently tamp down the soil around the base.
Tweedia is a relatively shortvining plant, but it still needs support.
At planting time, place atrellis or teepeeat its base.
you’re able to also insert small branches into the ground alongside the plant for extra support.
It can grow in a widepH rangebetween 5.0 and 8.0.
Temperature and Humidity
As a tropical plant, tweedia is not frost-tolerant.
It is hardy in Zones 10 and 11 where it can be overwintered outdoors and grown as a perennial.
Tweedia thrives in hot weather and has no issues with high humidity.
Fertilizer
Like allannualsthat go through vigorous growth in their single-season lifespan, tweedia needs fertilizer.
Start feeding it with complete all-purpose fertilizer every two weeks to encourage ongoing bloom.
For the amount to use, follow product label directions.
Potting and Repotting Tweedia
Tweedia can be grown in containers.
double-check they have large drainage holes and fill them with well-draining potting mix.
Remember thatpotted plantsneed more frequent watering and fertilizer than plants in the landscape.
In colder climates, potted plants can be overwintered indoors when placed in a bright and warm location.
When the roots of the plant fill the container, its time to repot it.
Pests and Problems
Except for milkweed bugs, tweedia has no major pest or disease issues.
Milkweed bugs appear towards the end of the summer, and they dont do much damage.
If there is a real infestation, you’re able to treat it withhorticultural soap.
How to Propagate Tweedia
Tweedia is best started from seeds.
Place the seeds on the surface ofsmall potsfilled with damp potting mix.
Cover the seeds with a very thin layer of soil, only about 1/8 inch.
Keep it moist and at a temperature around 70 degrees F. Germination will take 7 to 14 days.
Harden off the seedlings before transplanting them outdoors.
Leaves are a downy gray-green with an elongated heart shapethey turn red in the fall.
Companion Plants
Fragrant blue flowers combined with velvety-softgray foliagemake tweedia a favorite for abouquet.
Zinnia
There are so manyzinnia varietiesthat match tweedia, youll be spoiled for choice.
The soft colors of this annual flower such as dusty rose or mauve are especially attractive in bouquets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlike othermilkweeds, the plant is not native to North America.
But it is not considered invasive.
Bring them indoors before the first fall frost and place them in a warm spot with bright light.
Growth will slow down during the winter so reduce the watering accordingly.
Updated by Nadia Hassani
Milkweed.ASPCA.
Milkweed Plant Can Cause Serious Poisoning.Poison Control.
