How to germinate Clitoria ternatea 'Double Pink'

Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) is a tropical legume with striking blue flowers used as natural food colorant and in traditional medicine. Despite hardy features, it is notoriously difficult to germinate without proper seed treatment.

Before sowing

Scarification

mecanica Seeds have a hard coat requiring scarification. Nicking with knife, razor blade, or sandpaper followed by 24-hour warm water soak achieves 80.95% germination rate.

Soak

24 h Soak in warm water for 12-24 hours after scarification to soften seed coat and promote germination.

Freshly harvested seeds have dormancy issues. Storing seeds 6 months promotes germination in 15-20% of seeds. Chemical scarification (sulfuric acid) can achieve 100% germination.

Sowing

Substrate

Rockwool, well-draining potting soil, seed starting mix

Depth

1cm

Temperature

21°C

Moisture

media

Container

6-inch pots or seed-beds

What to expect

Step 1

Pre-treat the seed

Step 2

Sow at 1cm · 21°C

Day 3–21

Seedlings emerge (~81%)

Tips

Plant requires full sun and heat for best growth. Do not tolerate cold temperatures. Radicle emerges within 48-72 hours after proper treatment. Optimal germination at 21°C with scarified and soaked seeds in rockwool substrate. Plants produce flowers within 2 months and reach mature bush within 6 months.

Sources: PFAF Plant Database, Frontiers in Plant Science, bioRxiv, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Eden Brothers, PlantCareToday

Fresh seeds to sow

Clitoria ternatea 'Double Pink'

Before sowing

Sowing

What to expect

Tips

You might also like