When to Seed Butterfly Pea
Direct seed into the garden or transplant outdoors once all danger of frost has passed. If transplanting, start seeds eight to ten weeks before your last frost. Starting your seeds ahead of time is recommended in growing zones with shorter seasons.
Where to Plant Butterfly Pea
Choose a spot that gets full sun and has loose, well-draining soil. Keep in mind that this is a tropical plant so it’s going to need lots of heat and sun!
Growing Butterfly Pea
Sow seeds one inch deep and three inches apart. As your crops germinate, thin your seedlings to six to 12 inches apart. Ten foot long vines require trellising. Once established, this vine is relatively drought tolerant.
Harvesting Butterfly Pea
Butterfly pea plants are grown for their flowers, rather than the pea. The blooms can be harvested as they open. Once flowering begins, check your plants once a day! Continuous harvest will increase the number of flowers produced. When put in water, this bloom produces a rich blue-purple color that is often used in teas or beverages. Fresh flowers will produce the richest color but dried flowers will also produce a beautiful color when put in hot water.