The Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)
By Corey • September 28, 2007 • 18 commentsThis year, like most years, my father planted some Moonflowers (Ipomoea alba), hoping they would grow up the cedar trellises, built by my late grandfather, that stand against the railing on my folks’ back porch. And, unlike most years, he’s had a bumper crop of the giant, fragrant, nocturnal blossoms, topping out at 15 in one night. Sitting on the porch in the evening listening to a distant Carolina Wren singing is now made all the better by the pervasive scent of the gorgeous, moth-pollinated flowers.
To take advantage of the moths that pollinate them, Moonflowers, sometimes referred to as Moon Vines or Giant White Moonflowers, open in the evening and curl up and die when the sun rises. While they last they fill the air with a wonderful smell, again, not meant for human enjoyment, but to attract moths. But one needn’t be a moth to appreciate their delicate and quickly-passing beauty.
The Moonflower above is just opening, a process that occurs remarkably quickly. In fact Moonflowers open in about one minute’s time. You can see one opening in this video. Their lush, large-leaved vines flourish in the direct sunlight that the blossoms avoid and can be grown anywhere their close relative, the Morning Glory, grows. And, though eating their seeds does not cause hallucinations like the Morning Glory’s seeds do, they are poisonous if ingested.
stamina of the Moonflower
So if you have an ugly fence or something else you want covered up with some nice climbing foliage consider the Moonflower. You won’t regret it and neither will your neighborhood moths.
I saw a Sphinx moth on one of these at Beth’s uncle’s house.
Guess what?-I’ve got an ugly fence I want covered up!-Neat video and post.
Just an update, the moon flowers had slowed down to 3 or 4 a night , but with the recent warm weather we are back to around 8 -10 a night. Last night my wife and I watched several of these beautiful flowers spread their petals to the sky. I almost think I know now how Mr Wilson in Dennis the
Menace felt awaiting the midnight blooming of his rare flower.
I have found a type of moon Flower growing on a lease wild. It has the same flowers, only opens at night, and smells wonderful, but it is not a vine. Is it just another type or something else?
@Mel Mel: I’ve never heard of a moonflower growing on anything but a vine…but if you manage to get some pictures maybe I can help figure it out…
[...] it be neat if eventually moonflowers could grow on the [...]
Hi Corey,
I was soaking some moonflower seeds overnight and one of my cats may have drank a little of the water in the bottom of the bowl when I drained them this morning. I don’t know; he’s a curious one. Might that have hurt him? What symptoms should I look for? And how soon would problems start to develop? Please reply.
@Roger: That would be a veterinary question: I have no idea.
hi corey =)
my close friend loves moonflower, and i want to get it for her as birthday present. however, i don’t know where i can find the plant/seed =( can u please help me?
thanks!
@oxymoron: Google it. It should be relatively easy to find.
Amazing stuff. Never heard about Moonflower before. Just bought 3 at nextdoor village fete to replace my Morning glory which died while I was abroad. I got worried I bought bindweed which I fight most of the time :o) Do I understand well than I have to treat Ipomea Alba as annual here in England?
@Marie: Thanks, and yes, they are an annual.
we had some moonflowers about three years ago and there was this big moth like insect sort of like a hummingbird there were about ten or more.
Now i know they were the Sphinx Moth by browsing the web the past few days .i learned alot more about these amazing flowers.
Mel Mel. The shrubby version you saw is also called Moon Flower but it is one of many “Daturas” that are easily grown if you can find someone who has one. The flowers are very large and open with a strong perfume at sunset and night. Unlike many other Datura species that hang their flowers this one has flowers that point up to the sky. Sorry I don’t know the species name; I’ve been trying to get hold of one for years having grown successfully in North New Zealand I want to obtain it here in Australia where I’ve now made my permanent abode.
I saw this flower for the first time a week ago… The gal at the green house gave me two seed pods… I can’t wait for spring 2010! I want these to grow up an older crab apple tree that is along a sidewalk. I am way to excited… is there anything I need to know??
@Roxanne: I can’t think of anything in particular other than to enjoy those moonflowers!
Corey~
I opened the moonflowers seed pods last fall and put all the seeds into a baggie with sand in it I left the baggie open all winter hanging in a dark basement closet. I want to get a start on growing them. I live in Iowa. We have had apx 60 inches of snow this winter. When? Where? and How can I safely start my new moonflower seeds? what type of soil ect…?
@Roxanne: I would ask the folks at the greenhouse you got the seeds from: though I like moonflowers, birds are really where my expertise lies. Good luck!