Moon Flower

Add the tropical fragrance that exudes from this prolific vining plant and you have the setting for a perfect summer evening.

The flower opens quickly and stays open until the first sunlight of morning, when it shrivels up.

The moon flower, Ipomoea alba, also called the moon vine or moonflower plant, features a beautiful white flower that opens at night, as if reaching for the moon.

It is a member of the same family as the morning glory, and is sometimes called evening glory.

The six-inch trumpet-shaped flowers grow on vines that reach over 15 feet in one growing season.

In tropical regions it is a perennial, but in colder areas it is grown as an annual.

The flowers are pollinated by night-flying moths, unlike most flowers that are pollinated by bees and other insects that are active during the day.

The large, dark green leaves are heart-shaped at almost eight inches and are striking against the pure whiteness of the flower.

The flower petals shrivel and die with the rising sun, but the plant produces many buds, which provide continuous bloom through the summer.

In areas that receive no frost, the moonflower can become invasive, attaching itself to any structure, tree or pole for support.

Growing Conditions

Moonflowers are grown from seed planted directly in the soil after all danger of frost.

To jump-start the season, start them indoors three to four weeks before the last frost.

Nick the seed cover with a file and soak overnight before planting.

Cover the seeds with a scant ¼ inch of soil. Water the seeds thoroughly and keep the soil evenly moist.

Grow in well-drained soil with compost added to promote healthy growth. A layer of mulch keeps weeds under control.

Although they don't open their flowers until evening, the moon flower plant grows best in full to part sun.

They grow quickly and can be used as a screen to cover unsightly areas of the landscape.

They will need a substantial support, such as a gazebo or fence. Fertilizing is generally not necessary.

Diseases and insect infestations are usually not a problem for the plant. If they do appear, use a garden pesticide or fungicide to alleviate the problem.

Seeds can be harvested from moon flowers. Once the flowers shrivel, rough husks are formed that contain the seed, which is about the size of a garbanzo bean.

When the outside of this large white seed dries up and turns black, they can be collected. Propagation can also be accomplished by rooting runners from a vine.

These magnificent nocturnal bloomers glow throughout the night, making our gardens a celestial retreat well beyond our sunny days. The moon flower can turn any gardener into a night owl.