Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Ginny Stibolt, Ixia Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Ginny Stibolt, Ixia Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

moonflower

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Ipomoea alba

Family:

Convolvulaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

vine

Size:

to 40 ft long vine

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

Blooms summer into early fall

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Recommended only for use where it can be controlled such as on a trellis or in areas where expansive growth is appropriate. Rain gardens or bioswales.

Considerations:

Extremely vigorous, may overtop other plants. Can be planted further north but should be treated as an annual.

Availability:

Seed

Propagation:

Seed or layer runners from an existing plant. Nick and soak seed for best germination. Seeds are available through the Florida Wildflowers Growers Cooperative.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam

Soil pH:

adaptable

Suitable to Grow In:

9A,9B,10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinated by moths.

Native Habitats:

Disturbed wetland and lake edges, mangrove fringes.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Blooms open late in the day and remain open through the night. Fragrant.



Can be agrown as an anuual north of its native range.  Considered to be invasive in subtropical and tropical areas outside of its natural range.