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🚚 Shipping Update:
We’re now shipping nationwide across the continental U.S. again! 🌱
📦 Please note: Shipping to California remains paused due to agricultural regulations.
🌸 Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea) – 4" Starter Plant for Magical Color-Changing Teas 🦋✨
Turn your garden into a living art project — and your teacup into a science experiment! 🌈 The Butterfly Pea Vine (Clitoria ternatea) is a tropical climbing beauty that produces brilliant sapphire-blue blossoms used to brew color-changing teas, infuse cocktails, and decorate plates worldwide. This fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing vine is both stunning and functional — enriching your soil while enriching your senses.
🌿 Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Clitoria ternatea |
| Common Names | Butterfly Pea, Asian Pigeonwings, Blue Pea Vine |
| Plant Type | Perennial vine in warm zones; annual elsewhere |
| Size at Sale | Shipped in 4” starter container – delicate but hardy young plant |
| Mature Height & Width | Climbs 6–10 ft (1.8–3 m) with support; width 2–3 ft |
| USDA Zones | 9–11 (Perennial); Annual in zones 8 and below |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun – minimum 6–8 hours daily |
| Cold Hardiness | Sensitive below 40°F; dies back after frost but regrows from roots in warm regions |
| Growth Habit | Vigorous climbing vine; nitrogen-fixer |
| Spacing Requirements | 2–3 ft apart or 6–8 ft between trellis bases |
💠 Blooms, Flavor & Color-Changing Magic
Color-Changing Chemistry:
The vivid cobalt-blue petals contain anthocyanins, natural pigments that react to pH. Add lemon or lime juice, and your tea instantly transforms from blue 💙 to violet 💜 or even pink 💗 — like magic in a cup.
Flavor Profile:
Mild, earthy, floral — complements mint, lemongrass, or citrus. Often used to tint rice, cocktails, and desserts.
Flowering Season:
🌞 In Florida and similar subtropical climates: blooms nearly year-round (March–December).
🌸 In temperate regions: blooms mid-summer through early fall.
Harvest Tips:
Pick fresh blossoms daily for tea or dry in shade for long-term storage.
🌱 Top Benefits & Uses
🧘♀️ Health & Wellness
- Rich in antioxidants like ternatins and bioflavonoids that promote healthy aging.
- Used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to calm the mind, reduce stress, and support cognitive and eye health.
- Naturally caffeine-free and soothing before bedtime.
🌾 Ecological & Garden Benefits
- Nitrogen-fixing roots enhance soil fertility for nearby plants like fruit trees and vegetables.
- Excellent for cover cropping or interplanting in tropical gardens.
- Pollinator magnet – butterflies and bees love the nectar-rich blooms.
🍽 Culinary Creativity
- Use the blossoms to make Butterfly Pea Tea, Lemon Spritz, blue ice cubes, or natural food coloring.
- Petals can tint rice, smoothies, frostings, and mocktails for vibrant, all-natural hues.
🌸 Cultural Heritage
Native to tropical Asia, Butterfly Pea has been celebrated in Thai, Malay, and Indian traditions.
In Thailand, “Nam Dok Anchan” is a refreshing blue tea often served with honey and lime.
In Ayurveda, it’s known as “Aparajita” — meaning “the undefeated one,” symbolizing spiritual strength and clarity.
🪴 Landscape, Container & Indoor Growing
Ornamental Appeal:
The vine’s delicate compound leaves and luminous blue-violet blooms create a stunning display on fences, arbors, or balcony trellises. Great as a border or container accent.
Container Growing:
- Works beautifully in 3–5 gallon pots with a bamboo or metal trellis.
- Ensure at least 12" of soil depth and regular watering.
- Feed every 6–8 weeks with organic fertilizer for continuous blooms.
Indoor Growing:
- Can thrive near bright south-facing windows or in greenhouses.
- Pollination isn’t required for flowering, but indoor lighting (12–14 hours daily) may be needed during winter.
Perfect Companion Plants:
🌿 Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) – nitrogen-fixing duo
🌼 Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) – complementary color & tea blend partner
🌾 Lemongrass – ideal for mixed tea blends
🌸 Basil, Mint, or Mexican Sunflower – support pollinator diversity
🌿 Best Practices for Planting & Care
Where to Plant:
Choose full sun with well-draining soil. Works well in raised beds, borders, or trellised containers.
Soil:
Prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0–7.5). Enrich with compost and biochar for best results.
Planting Method:
Dig a hole slightly wider than the container and plant “High & Tight” — the GreenDreams method for strong root establishment.
🎥 Watch Pete Kanaris’ planting video here: High & Tight Planting Method
Watering:
- Daily for the first week after transplanting
- Then 2–3x per week (more often in heat)
- Avoid soggy soil; roots prefer aeration
Mulching:
Apply a layer of hardwood mulch or shredded leaves, keeping mulch 2–3 inches away from the base.
Pruning:
Pinch or trim after flowering to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Vines can be cut back hard at the end of the season.
Fertilization:
Feed lightly with organic compost or fish emulsion every 6–8 weeks. Excess nitrogen may reduce flowering.
Winter Care (Florida Zones 9–10):
Cut back after flowering; mulch heavily to protect roots. In colder zones, overwinter indoors or regrow from seed each spring.
🌿 Troubleshooting Guide
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowing leaves | Overwatering or poor drainage | Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings |
| No flowers | Too much shade or nitrogen | Ensure 6+ hrs sun; reduce fertilizer |
| Leaf spots or mildew | Humidity or poor airflow | Prune for airflow; use neem oil spray |
| Wilting | Root rot or heat stress | Improve drainage; water early morning |
| Cold damage | Temps below 40°F | Move indoors or use frost cloth |
⚠️ Cautions
- Frost-sensitive — not suitable for unprotected winter exposure in northern zones.
- Non-toxic and safe for humans and pets.
- May reseed naturally in tropical areas; trim spent pods to manage spread.
🌟 Is This Plant Right for You?
✅ Ideal For:
- Florida & Southeastern US gardeners
- Tea enthusiasts & herbalists
- Pollinator garden creators
- Soil regenerators & permaculture growers
❌ Not Ideal For:
- Cold climates without indoor protection
- Growers seeking instant maturity (opt for 1-gallon size for faster flowering)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did my Butterfly Pea tea change color when I added lemon?
A: The flower’s anthocyanin pigments react to acidity — citrus lowers the pH, creating a natural purple-to-pink transformation!
Q: Can Butterfly Pea grow indoors year-round?
A: Yes! With bright light (12–14 hrs) and a trellis or stake, it performs beautifully in sunrooms and greenhouses.
Q: How long does it take to bloom from a 4" starter plant?
A: Under ideal warmth and full sun, expect blooms within 2–3 months.
Q: Is Butterfly Pea invasive?
A: No. While it reseeds easily, it’s considered a manageable and beneficial species in Florida and most southern climates.
🚚 Shipping Disclaimer
If the size of this plant is 4”, it is most ideal for shipping to Florida, the Southeastern US & Texas.
We use UPS Ground shipping only, and cannot guarantee plant quality when shipped to northern or western states during peak heat or cold seasons.
The 4” size dries out faster than larger plants — we recommend the 1-gallon size for higher success rates.
📍 Local Pickup
Available for Local Pickup at GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Open Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 8AM–3PM
Come explore what’s fresh 🌿
🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services
At GreenDreams, we do more than grow plants — we design, build, and restore ecosystems across Florida.
- 🌳 Onsite consultations & edible landscape design
- 🌿 Installation & project management
- 🚚 Bulk delivery of compost, mulch, biochar & soil products
- 🌾 Wholesale & regenerative solutions
Let our team help you create your own thriving edible paradise — starting with your Butterfly Pea Vine! 🌸
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS:
*Please be advised that our online store selections are NOT available for pickup at our retail location in Spring Hill, Florida.
Inventory for our online store is located at a separate facility and are priced and handled exclusively for packaging & shipping.
Click here to learn more about our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery location, including countless more nursery selections ready for pickup - larger sizes and wider variety of plants not suitable for nationwide delivery.
1. Shipping Stress: Transportation can be stressful for plants, particularly when they spend several days in a confined, dark environment. It’s common for plants to experience leaf drop during this period. Rest assured, most plants typically recover quickly and thrive with minimal aftercare. However, some may need extra attention, love, and care, requiring appropriate watering and exposure to gentle light post-unboxing.
2. Potential Physical Damage: Despite our dedicated efforts to ensure that your plants are securely packaged, they may incur damage during shipping and handling by UPS. Rest assured, our shipping team is committed to packing your selections with utmost care and precision to minimize any potential harm.
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For significant box damage, please reach out to UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
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For minor damages, such as a broken branch or stem, we advise allowing the plant time to recover and regenerate with proper care and attention.
3. Long-Distance Shipping Considerations: Orders shipped over long distances, particularly to the western US, may take 3 - 5 business days to arrive due to various factors, including agricultural inspections in Arizona, California, and Texas. Such extended transit times can be particularly challenging for tender, young plants, affecting their quality due to prolonged confinement.
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We take additional measures during packaging to facilitate a swift recovery of the plants upon unboxing.
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Initial extra care and attention might be required over the first few weeks post-transport.
For further guidance, kindly review our detailed policies on returns and refunds, as well as our comprehensive plant care guide. We appreciate your understanding and patience in nurturing your new plants.
🌿 Important Shipping Information
Please take a moment to review our shipping protocols designed to ensure your plants arrive in optimal condition.
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Countdown Clock: At the top of our online store, you'll notice a countdown clock. This tool helps communicate our weekly shipping schedule, providing clarity on when you can expect your orders to be dispatched.
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Shipping Schedule: Our nursery, located in the heart of Central Florida, ships orders once weekly, every Monday. This is a strategic decision to prevent packages from being stationary over the weekends, ensuring that our plants travel as swiftly as possible across the country, even reaching as far as California.
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Shipping Method: At present, we offer ground shipping rates to meet various needs while maintaining the well-being of our plants during transit.
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Our Dedicated Team: We are a boutique nursery with a passionate team. Our members wear many hats, contributing to shipping, nursery operations, and engaging in valuable local projects. As we blossom and expand, rest assured that enhancing and streamlining our processes remains a priority to serve you better
Terms and Conditions for Purchasing Live Plants
1. Understanding of Shipping Stress
By purchasing live plants from our store, the customer acknowledges that transportation can be stressful for plants. It is common for plants to undergo leaf drop or experience other temporary issues during shipping. However, it is understood that most plants recover quickly with adequate care and attention post-shipping.
2. Awareness of Potential Physical Damage
Customers acknowledge that despite our best efforts in packaging, there may be occurrences of damage during shipping and handling. For substantial damages to the package, customers agree to contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
3. Acknowledgement of Long-Distance Shipping Considerations
Customers recognize that shipments, especially those directed to the western US, may be subjected to longer shipping durations of 3-5 business days. Customers agree to provide necessary care to the plants, recognizing that the quality of the plants may be affected due to prolonged shipping times.
4. Agreement with Shipping Information and Schedule
Customers, by making a purchase, have reviewed and agreed upon our shipping protocols and schedules. They acknowledge the presence of a countdown clock on the website and our once-weekly shipping policy every Monday, recognizing the rationale behind avoiding weekend layovers for the plants.
5.Extreme Weather Conditions
Customers acknowledge that our store is not responsible for damage or loss of live plants due to extreme weather conditions during transit and delivery. This includes exposure to cold or freezing temperatures during the winter months and extreme heat during the summer. We provide tracking information when orders are processed every Monday to ensure customers are aware of the delivery schedule. It is the customer's responsibility to prevent packages from being left outside in conditions that may cause damage. Our store does not accept responsibility for any adverse effects caused by weather conditions beyond our control.
6. No Refund Policy
Customers agree that refunds are only processed under exceptional circumstances. Our store will not be held responsible for poor plant choices relative to location suitability, extreme conditions during and/or post-shipment, and improper post-purchase plant care.
7. Responsibility of Care
Upon purchase, customers agree to assume full responsibility for the ongoing care of the plants. This includes, but is not limited to, appropriate watering, exposure to suitable light, and adherence to specific care instructions pertinent to each plant type.
8. Consent
By proceeding with this purchase, customers consent to all the terms and conditions stated above, confirming understanding and agreement to all stipulations mentioned.
These terms and conditions aim to ensure clarity, mutual understanding, and agreement between the seller and the customer to facilitate a smooth transaction and foster a positive customer experience.
