Moonflower
Seed # 198
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 198
- Seed Name
- Moonflower
- Variety
- Giant White
- Category
- Flower
- Plant Family
- Convolvulaceae
- Plant Type
- Moonflower vine (Ipomoea alba)
- Planting Method
- Direct Sow or Transplant
- Seed Status
- In Seed Bank
- Created
- 2026-08-14 00:50:34
- Updated
- 2026-08-19 15:35:29
Planting Information
- Start Planting Date
- Mar 24
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Jun 15
- Plantable Months
- March, April, May, June
- Indoor Start
- Mar 24 – Apr 7
- Direct Sow
- May 12 – Jun 15
- Transplant
- May 19 – Jun 15
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- 6 weeks
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- 2 weeks
- Germination Days
- 5–21 days
- Harvest/Maturity
- 60–90 days to bloom
- Succession Planting
- Not recorded
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- 70-75°F
- Planting Depth
- 1/4-1/2 in
- Plant Spacing
- 8-10 in
- Row Spacing
- Not recorded
- Thin-To Spacing
- 8-10 in
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun to partial sun
- Water Needs
- Maintain regular moisture during establishment and active vine growth
- Soil Preference
- Well-drained garden soil
- Minimum Container Size
- in a large pot with a sturdy trellis
- Plant Height
- Vines up to 20 ft
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Annual
- Container Friendly
- Yes
- Trellis/Support Needed
- Yes
- Frost Tolerant
- No
- Heat Tolerant
- Yes
- Drought Tolerant
- No
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- No
Garden Uses
Container Pollinator Seed SavingCompanion Planting
No companion relationships recorded.
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- Rare Seeds; Better Homes & Gardens; MSU Extension
- Packet Year
- Not recorded
- Quantity Notes
- Not recorded
- Purchase Date
- Not recorded
- Expiration Year
- Not recorded
- Storage Box
- Not recorded
- Container
- Not recorded
- Envelope
- Not recorded
- Row
- Not recorded
- Slot
- Not recorded
- Storage Notes
- Not recorded
Notes
Original Planting Method: Nick or lightly scarify seed and soak before sowing; start indoors or direct sow after soil warms
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Transplant or direct sow about May 20 – Jun 15
Germination Time: About 7–14 days after soaking/scarification
Days to Harvest / Bloom: About 60–90 days to bloom
Container Friendly: Yes, in a large pot with a sturdy trellis
Pollinator Friendly: Yes; fragrant night flowers are adapted to night-flying pollinators such as moths
Medicinal / Herbal Use: No home medicinal use recommended; toxic if ingested
Perennial?: Tender perennial in warm climates; grown as an annual in Zone 6B
Succession / Reusable Notes: One planting is generally enough; collect mature seed only if it can be stored safely away from children/pets.
Zone 6B Notes: Start early indoors for reliable bloom, but do not plant outside until frost danger has passed and weather is warm.
Companion Plants: Other night-blooming/pollinator flowers and low plants that will not compete with the vine
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: All parts, especially seeds, should be treated as toxic if ingested. Vigorous twining vine needs support and can smother nearby plants.
Sources: Rare Seeds: https://www.rareseeds.com/moonflower-seeds-giant-moonflower | Better Homes & Gardens: https://www.bhg.com/gardening/trees-shrubs-vines/vines/moonflower-vine/ | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar
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Zone 6B: Grown as a frost-sensitive annual in Zone 6B. Start indoors 4-6 weeks before the May 5 last frost or sow outdoors after frost once temperatures are reliably warm.
Germination: The hard seed coat can be nicked or lightly filed and soaked before sowing to improve water uptake.
Harvest: Huge white flowers can exceed 7 inches across and open around dusk, usually fading the following morning.
Seed Saving: Allow seed capsules to mature and dry before collecting seed. Giant White is open-pollinated.
Special Care: Provide a sturdy trellis, arbor or fence. All parts of Ipomoea alba are considered toxic if eaten.
Research Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — https://www.rareseeds.com/moonflower-seeds-giant-moonflower — Ipomoea alba identity, 20-foot vine length, 7-inch white flowers, annual habit, 60-90 day maturity, 5-21 day germination, depth, spacing, temperature and frost sensitivity
Research Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — https://www.rareseeds.com/blog/post/how-to-grow-moonflower — trellising, frost sensitivity, evening bloom habit and moonflower growing culture
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