The butterfly pea plant, Clitoria ternatea, is a tropical, perennial, and climbing vine that blooms in the summer with flowers noted for producing natural dyes. Although they're mostly grown for their vivid blue, purple, and white flowers, their plants also produce long flat pods containing six to ten peas, which are edible when harvested young.
Vines grow to ten feet in length but have a twining habit that keeps plants to a tidy three feet tall. 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 and overwintered indoors as a biennial.
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."1 Butterfly pea plant is widely grown as an ornamental and reclamation plant that fixes nitrogen in soil.
Common NameButterfly Pea Plant, Asian Pigeon Wings, Blue Pea
Botanical NameClitoria ternatea FamilyFabiaceae
Plant TypeTropical herbacious perennial SizeVines to 10 feet, plants to 3 feet tall
Sun ExposureFull sun
Soil TypeMoist, well drainedSoil pH6.0 to 8.0
Bloom TimeSummer Hardiness Zones9, 10, 11 USA
Native AreaIndonesia
The butterfly pea plant, Clitoria ternatea, is a tropical, perennial, and climbing vine that blooms in the summer with flowers noted for producing natural dyes. Although they're mostly grown for their vivid blue, purple, and white flowers, their plants also produce long flat pods containing six to ten peas, which are edible when harvested young.
Vines grow to ten feet in length but have a twining habit that keeps plants to a tidy three feet tall. 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 and overwintered indoors as a biennial.
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."1 Butterfly pea plant is widely grown as an ornamental and reclamation plant that fixes nitrogen in soil.
Common NameButterfly Pea Plant, Asian Pigeon Wings, Blue Pea
Botanical NameClitoria ternatea FamilyFabiaceae
Plant TypeTropical herbacious perennial SizeVines to 10 feet, plants to 3 feet tall
Sun ExposureFull sun
Soil TypeMoist, well drainedSoil pH6.0 to 8.0
Bloom TimeSummer Hardiness Zones9, 10, 11 USA
Native AreaIndonesia
