Moonflower (Ipomoea alba) - Seeds
€3,20
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Moonflower (Ipomoea alba) - Seeds
€3,20
Pickup available at Bei der Kirche 3
Usually ready in 24 hours
As the day draws to a close and most garden plants close their blossoms, the real show begins for this exotic climber! The moonflower, also known as the tropical white morning-glory (botanically Ipomoea alba, formerly known by the old name Calonyction album), is a true beauty from the morning-glory genus that transforms balmy summer evenings into a magical experience.
Scope of delivery: 10 seeds each
| Pre-cultivation (indoors) | March to April |
| Direct sowing (outdoors) | From mid-May (after the Ice Saints) |
| Sowing depth | approx. 1 - 2 cm (dark germinator) |
| Germination temperature | 20°C to 25°C |
| Germination time | 4 to 10 days |
Step-by-step instructions
Place the seeds in lukewarm water for 24 hours before sowing so they can swell. This softens the hard shell, which makes germination much easier.
Fill small seedling pots with nutrient-poor seed compost. Important: Because the roots of the moonflower are very sensitive, you should definitely sow the seeds individually into the pots. This avoids having to prick out (separate) the plants later. Press each pre-soaked seed approx. 1 - 2 cm deep into the soil and cover it completely, as they are dark germinators. If the seeds are too close to the surface, the seed coat might not be shed properly. This should be avoided, as it can dry out on the cotyledons and is difficult to remove.
Keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid waterlogging. A bright and warm location (e.g., on the windowsill at 20–25 °C) is ideal. A transparent cover (cling film or indoor greenhouse) keeps humidity high – don't forget to ventilate briefly every day!
As soon as the small pots are well-rooted, the young plants can be carefully repotted or placed directly in their final location. Be sure to keep the root ball intact and not to damage it! After the Ice Saints, they can be moved outdoors (garden or balcony) at a distance of approx. 40 to 50 cm.
One of the most beautiful flowering plants of all
In English-speaking countries, it is called the "tropical white morning-glory" – but in truth, it is the undisputed queen of the night. Personally, I find it one of the most fascinating and breathtaking flowering plants you can bring into your garden or onto your balcony. Its giant, pure white, and velvety-looking blossoms reach an impressive size of up to 15 centimeters and are streaked with elegant, delicate greenish veins. It celebrates its absolute flowering peak in midsummer, precisely when the days are longest and we prefer to spend our evenings outdoors.
The evening spectacle: Floral magic in record time
Perhaps the most spectacular thing about the moonflower is its rhythm. As soon as dusk falls, it comes to life. The large buds open at such a speed that you can actually watch it happen! The entire blossom unfolds in just 15 minutes.
Once fully open, it emits a wonderful, intoxicating fragrance that attracts moths and enchants the senses. A particularly magical detail: deep within the center of the blossom, countless tiny dewdrops form, which glisten in the pale evening or moonlight, giving the flower an almost fairytale-like aura.
Mysticism & An ancient Maya secret
Back in the Victorian era, the moonflower was the absolute star in so-called "moonlight gardens" – special gardens stocked only with white-flowering, nocturnal plants for wandering through by moonlight.
But it also holds a much older, almost incredible secret: the ancient high cultures of Mesoamerica, such as the Maya and Aztecs, used this very plant for their famous ritual ball games! They discovered that the sulfurous sap of the Ipomoea alba, mixed with the resin of the rubber tree, creates an elastic material. With the help of the moonflower, they invented the world's first functional rubber – over 3,000 years before modern vulcanization was discovered!
Growth, care & Handling the roots
The moonflower grows as a vigorous climber and easily conquers fences, trellises, or obelisks in containers. To ensure it unfolds its full splendor, you should keep the following tips in mind:
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The perfect location: As a true tropical plant, it loves full sun and warmth. Give it the warmest spot on your terrace or in your garden.
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Watering & fertilizing: Anyone who grows so rapidly and produces such gigantic blossoms has a healthy appetite and thirst! Keep the soil consistently moist on warm summer days (but avoid waterlogging). During the growth phase, it also appreciates regular fertilizer (approx. every 1 to 2 weeks) so it doesn't run out of steam.
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The root tip (repotting): The fine roots of the moonflower are a bit sensitive. Be sure to wait to repot it into a larger container until the current pot is completely rooted through. This ensures the root ball stays perfectly together during the move. Then, simply place it into the new soil very carefully without tearing or loosening the ball.
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Perennial through winter: In our latitudes, it is often grown as an annual, but it doesn't have to be! The moonflower is a perennial if you bring it indoors before the first frost. It can be wonderfully overwintered in a bright, cool place so that the nightly floral spectacle can continue immediately the following summer.
Bring a piece of nighttime magic and ancient history into your home with the moonflower and experience your own private, fragrant nature show every summer evening!