How to Start Moonflower

The moonflower (Ipomoea alba) is a vining plant that gets its name from the fact that the blooms open only at night and close once the sun rises the next morning. It is closely related to the morning glory and produces large, paper-thin white blooms. You can start moonflower plants from seeds planted indoors and then transplant them outdoors once the temperatures warm to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Things You'll Need

• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Bowl
• Strainer
• Peat pots
• All purpose potting soil
• Tray

Instructions

1. Lay a paper towel on a table and spread the moonflower seeds on top of it. Pick up a piece of fine-grit sandpaper and lay four to five moonflower seeds on top of it. Fold one half of the sandpaper over so that the gritty sides face each other. Rub the two sides back and forth three to four times to nick the moonflower seeds, which is required for germination.

2. Fill a bowl with warm water and place all of the nicked moonflower seeds into it. Allow the seeds to soak for 24 hours and then pour the water through a strainer to remove the seeds.

3. Fill 4-inch diameter peat pots with an all-purpose potting soil until they are three-fourths full.

4. Place one moonflower seed on top of the soil in each pot and cover them with 1/8 to 1/4 inch of soil until they are no longer visible.

5. Water the soil in the pots until it is damp all the way to the bottom.

6. Set the pots on a tray to catch excess water drainage and place them in a brightly lit window that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day.

References

• University of Arkansas; Plant of the Week Moonflower; Gerald Klingaman; September 2005
• Fine Gardening; Morning Glories and Moonflowers; Janet Jemmott