Leaves are medium green and broader at the base tapering to a point.
Native to Indonesia, this is a short-lived perennial that grows in USDA zones 9 to 11.
It is cultivated as an annual in northern zones or grown in pots andoverwintered indoors as a biennial.
lynnebeclu / Getty Images
The blue flowers are edible and are a natural food coloring in Asian cuisine.
They are added to beverages and are a popular ingredient in “Butterfly Pea Tea.
“Butterfly pea plant is widely grown as an ornamental and reclamation plant that fixesnitrogen in soil.
Fun Fact
Flowers have little flavor and are valued for color.
Added to water, flowers of butterfly pea plant turn liquids blue.
Combined with citrus beverages turn purple.
Easily grown from seed, both plants, and seeds are offered by specialty growers.
Making sure the soil is well-draining is essential.
Plant seedlings 6 to 10 inches apart and at the same level as in their original pot.
Sow seeds 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart.
Thin to one or two per container once they reach 6 inches tall.
Provide a support structure such as atrellisor grow them on a fence or wall.
Avoid locations where the overhead canopy or neighboring plants cast shade.
Plants require a balancedpH of 6.0 to 8.0.
Water
Butterfly pea seedlings benefit from 1 inch of water per week.
Fertilizer
Add well-aged manure, compost, or balancedNPK fertilizerat when planting.
NPK liquid fertilizer higher in phosphorous and potassium boosts bloom for perennial plants when applied twice annually after pruning.
Potted plants grown indoors year-round will not produce fruit unlesshand pollinated.
Variety vs. ## Harvesting Butterfly Pea
Butterfly pea plants are grown for their flowers rather than the edible peas.
The flowers open for only a day or two but can be harvested fresh, wilted, or dried.
The greatest amount of pigment is extracted from fresh flowers, resulting in richer color in food and beverages.
To harvest peas, remove flowers to activate the growth of the pod.
Harvest pods before peas are too large which causes them to become tough and flavorless.
To harvest seeds, wait until pods dry and turn brown.
Plants grow in clay, ceramic, and plastic pots.
Pruning
Pruning is needed to keep plants compact and bushy.
Prune your butterfly pea plant often by removing growing tips.Deadheading flowersincreases flower production.
Harvest edible peas while still small or remove pods when they become brown and dry.
Propagating Butterfly Pea
Butterfly pea plant grows easily from cuttings taken from mature plants.
Gather a snipper, a pot at least 6 inches deep and 12 inches wide, and potting soil.
Seeds can also be purchased at some greenhouses, online, and from specialty growers.
Potting and Repotting Butterfly Pea
Repotting annually is recommended to replenish soil nutrients.
Plants are also potted up into containers 2 to 3 inches larger once they’ve doubled in size.
Add fresh potting material, choosing a larger pot when necessary.
Close to a south-facing window works well.
Indoor temperatures need to stay consistently above 60 degrees F., so avoid drafty spots.
Add a humidifier or mist the plant frequently to mimic moist, tropical conditions.
Allow the soil surface to dry between waterings and continue to prune as needed.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Butterfly pea is not vulnerable to many diseases or pests.
Spider mites and aphids can be a problem but can be knocked down with a strong spray of water.
Treat infestations with horticultural oil.
Overwatering can lead to bacterial soft rot, mold, and mildew.
Butterfly pea plantClitoria ternateais not toxic.
All parts of the plant are edible and potable.
The butterfly pea plant is often grown as an ornamental for its vibrant blue flowers.
The plant fixes nitrogen in the soil and peas are edible when harvested young.
Flowers are edible but do not have much flavor.
They are used in beverages and Asian cuisine as a natural food coloring.
Peas are edible but best when harvested young.
The Magic of Butterfly Pea Tea.
McGill Office for Science and Society
Butterfly Pea-A Natural Food Coloring, Penn State University Extension
