How Do I Germinate Moonflower Seeds?

Moonflowers, in the same family as Morning Glories, are prized for their late evening and night time blooms. The white, star-shaped flowers are pollinated at night by moths, which is why they bloom at such an unusual time. A vining plant, moonflowers are especially striking winding up trellises or around a garden pergola. Preparing the seed for proper germination is a special concern when growing moonflowers in your garden, as well as planting them where they have the best chance of thriving.

Seed Preparation

Purchase moonflower seeds from a nursery or seed company, or save seeds from an existing plant. Moonflowers are grown as annuals except for in areas that are warm year-round. Moonflower seeds are encased in a hard seed coat that must be softened before the seedling can emerge. In nature, the seeds set out in the elements for a season or two, where they are subjected to the elements to soften the seed coat. For your garden, you must take the place of the natural elements.

Soak the seeds overnight in a glass of warm water. In the morning carefully knick the seed coat with a sharp knife to reveal the white inner coat. Alternately, rub the seed gently with sandpaper to remove part of the hard surface coating.

Germination

Moonflowers do best when germinated directly in the garden as opposed to starting inside and transplanting. As quick growers, moonflowers quickly reach bloom even in areas with short warm seasons. Plant the moonflowers into a well drained bed near a support structure such as a trellis after all danger of frost has passed in your area. Choose a bed with partial sun, with morning sun being best.

Sow the seeds ¼ inch beneath the soil surface and 6 inches apart. Water enough to moisten the soil but avoid standing puddles. Cover in a 1 inch layer of organic mulch to help preserve moisture in the soil while the seeds are germinating. Keep the soil moist at all times during germination. After the vines become established minimal watering is required. Seeds germinate within 7 to 14 days after planting.

After Care

Moonflowers require very little maintenance after germination. Keep their bed well weeded for both appearances and so the weeds don't choke out your moonflowers. Mulching helps prevent weeds from becoming established as well as preserving soil moisture. Help the first vines find their support structure if they attempt to wind across the ground. Gently guide them onto the trellis or other structure once they are long enough; they will then do the rest of the climbing on their own.

Planting moonflowers near buildings or on the south side of your home helps them last longer into the fall. The first hard freeze in autumn will kill off the vines, but most light freezes won't.

References

• University of Arkansas Extension