How to Grow Moonflower

This delightful annual (grows just one year) vine grows rapidly and covers itself with creamy-white flowers that swirl open in late afternoon with a sweet scent.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Moonflower Seeds
• Compost Makers
• Fertilizers
• Garden Hoses
• Garden Spades
• Garden Trowels
• Mulch
• Plants
• Plants

1. Choose a site in full sun with average to rich, well-drained soil.

2. Erect a support at planting time, if there isn't already a support such as a fence, arbor or tall trellis.

3. Plant moonflower seeds in spring after all danger of frost has passed.

4. Soak seeds in warm water for 8 hours or slightly longer. Then plant about 1 inch deep, directly in soil.

5. After the plant is 1 or 2 inches high, gently help it twine around the support - use your fingers. Check on it every day or two for a few days afterward, to redirect it if needed.

6. Keep soil evenly moist. Mulching is a good idea.

7. Fertilize every four to six weeks, or work in a slow-release fertilizer (or plenty of compost) at planting time.

8. Tear out and discard plants in fall, after frost fells them.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant moonflower next to morning glory - which opens in the morning - for a whimsical morning-blooming/evening-blooming combination.
• Moonflower's afternoon scent is a treat for gardeners who like to spend time in their gardens after work or in the evenings.
• Growing 12 to 20 feet high, depending on growing conditions, moonflower needs a sturdy support to accommodate its rapid growth.
• Overfertilization produces plants with plenty of lush foliage but few flowers.

[jujubea2009]

on 9/9/2008 do moon flowers come back or do you have to replant every year

[WIDeb]

on 4/19/2008 I live in Wisconsin where the growing season is short. Can I get a head start on the season and start moonflower seeds indoors? Any tips?

[WIDeb]

on 4/19/2008 I live in Wisconsin where the growing season is short. Can I get a head start on the season and start moonflower seeds indoors? Any tips?

[gentlemorning]

on 4/14/2008 This beautiful plant is well worth the effort. My suggestion is to start the seed in styrofoam cups. As it does not like having its roots distrubed ctyrofoam is best, and one can get a headstart on its growing. Cut the cups open at 180 degrees. Open the cup and take out the plant, then set it in the planting hole. Be sure the soil is dry when transplanting. This will help hold the soil together so as not to disturb the root. Water well. My suggestion is to plant on the east side and west side of the house. When the sun touches the flower it fades. When the sun is no longer touching the plant it opens. By planting on the east and the west, one can have almost a full day of the lovely scented blooms. To answer lilkitten: there is really little concern as to how to plant it, but belly-buttom down would be good.

[Mist]

on 7/15/2007 I was able to plant moonflower in my Northern garden (zone 6) I would like it to climb up a pergola that is next to the plant. It has 3 stems growing off it and seems to be growing toward the sun, away from the post. It is quite large now, with many flowers on it. Should I cut back the 2 stems that are growing away from the post? It seems to resist growing up the post. Will it kill the plant to cut it now? I am a beginner gardener, and I feel amazed to see it do so well, as everything I read said that it is difficult to grow from a transplant in my zone. Thanks for any advice. Mist