Thai Blue Butterfly Pea tea surrounded by blooms and foliage on white background.
Thai Blue Butterfly Pea blooms and foliage on light background.
Thai Blue Butterfly Pea tea surrounded by blooms and foliage on light background.
Thai Blue Butterfly Pea tea surrounded by blooms and foliage on white background.
Thai Blue Butterfly Pea blooms and foliage on light background.
Thai Blue Butterfly Pea tea surrounded by blooms and foliage on light background.

Butterfly Pea Seeds,
Thai Blue

3.437 ReviewsSKU: #HB276Min. seed count: 10
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Description

(Clitoria ternatea). Edible blue-flowered vining plant native to Southeast Asia. Gorgeous, huge, single and double blue blooms make a natural food dye and soothing tea to calm the nerves. This single and double flowered type was found in Thailand, where the blooms are used to dye everything from teas to rice and desserts. A gorgeous ornamental edible flower, the vines are smothered in dazzling indigo petals. Our favorite kid-friendly drink; when you add a drop of lemon to the deep blue tea, the color instantly turns a bright pink, like magic! Natural Pink Lemonade, anyone?

Growing Tips: Thai Blue butterfly pea is a fast-growing tropical legume admired for its vivid cobalt blooms and soil-enhancing properties. It thrives in full sun and well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Provide trellises or vertical structures for vines to climb. Consistent watering, light pruning, and flower harvesting encourage long-lasting bloom cycles and healthier plant growth.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Clitoria ternatea
Life Cycle
Perennial in zones 10–11, grows as an annual in cooler climates
Growth Habit
Vining
Sun Requirement
Full sun
Days to Germinate
7–21
Days to Maturity
75–100
Planting Depth
1 in.
Plant Spacing
6–12 in.
Ideal Temperature
70–90°F
Frost Hardy
No

When to Grow

Sow Thai Blue butterfly pea seeds once soil temperatures stay above 65°F and all danger of frost has passed. In frost-free zones, it can be planted early spring; in cooler areas, wait until late spring or start indoors 8-10 weeks before the last spring frost. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

How to Sow and Plant

Scarify or soak seeds in warm water for 12–24 hours prior to planting to improve germination. Plant seeds 1 inch deep in well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Choose a sunny spot and space seeds 6 to 12 inches apart. Install support structures at the time of planting to help guide vine growth.

How to Grow

Once germinated, Thai Blue butterfly pea requires consistent moisture, particularly during hot or dry spells. Water deeply when soil feels dry to the touch. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming. The plant is well-suited to both in-ground gardens and large containers with vertical support.

How to Save Seeds

  • Let pods to fully mature and dry on the vine before harvesting
  • Harvest when pods are brown and beginning to crack open
  • Remove seeds from pods and discard any that are moldy or damaged
  • Let seeds air-dry for a week in a shaded, well-ventilated space
  • Store in a labeled paper envelope or glass jar in a cool, dark place

FAQ

Why are Thai Blue butterfly pea flowers so popular for tea and dye?

Their deep indigo petals are high in anthocyanins, which produce vibrant blue tea that changes color with pH. It’s also a natural food coloring in rice, noodles, drinks, and desserts.

Can Thai Blue butterfly pea be grown year-round?

In tropical climates, yes. In temperate zones, it grows as an annual unless overwintered indoors. You can also grow it in containers and bring it inside before the first frost.

Does Thai Blue butterfly pea need fertilizer?

Generally no, as it fixes its own nitrogen. However, light feeding with compost or balanced organic fertilizer can support flowering, especially in poor soils or when grown in containers.

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