Butterfly Pea

Clitoria ternatea

Just look at this sexy plant! Butterfly pea is a resilient, heat-loving vine, making it a perfect addition to the summer garden in Central Texas. Give these little plants well-draining soil and plenty of sunlight and they'll quickly climb a trellis or fence, blooming prolifically through the warmer months. The plant is also a nitrogen-fixer, meaning it helps improve soil fertility by turning nitrogen into a form that plants can use.

Harvesting Butterfly Pea Flowers

Pick the flowers early in the day when they are at their freshest. Regular harvesting encourages continuous blooms. The blossoms are edible and can be used fresh, but drying them is a great way to preserve their vibrant color. Here's our guide about drying homegrown herbs.

Working with Butterfly Pea

Butterfly pea's flavor is mild and earthy, making it a nice addition to tea blends, lemonade, and other herbal preparations. Cook it into your rice to make beautiful rice dishes too!

Making Butterfly Pea Tea

The dried flowers are rich in antioxidants and brew into a stunning indigo blue tea, which transforms into vivid purple with a squeeze of lemon. It makes gorgeous, magical concoctions and is perfect for sipping hot or cold.

Harvesting & Sowing Butterfly Pea Seeds

Collecting butterfly pea seeds is easy! Just wait until the pods dry on the vine but before they split open and the seeds fall out. Collect them in a paper bag to store. We've found that they germinate readily and easily when we scarify them (by nicking the seed coat with nail clippers or sand paper) and soaking them overnight.

We often have butterfly pea plants available, depending on the season. Here’s how to buy plants from us.