Grow Rare Seeds | How To Germinate Butterfly Pea Vine

Butterfly pea vine is one of the most magnificent vining flowers you'll ever encounter. Its vibrant blue blooms aren't merely ornamental, though: they also make a lovely tea and food dye. We love to add citrus to the tea and watch it turn from blue to pink! Horticulturist Shannie McCabe has some essential tips for coaxing these finicky seeds to germinate, even in northern climates!
Please note that we are currently out of stock on blue butterfly pea seeds. Sign up to be notified when they're back in stock at: www.rareseeds....
If you can't wait to plant vines with beautiful edible blooms, try Tall Trailing Mix nasturtiums: www.rareseeds....

[@lolloo13]

I grew some in Michigan two summers ago and they really took off in August! I tried a few different ways of starting the seeds but I found that if I nicked the seed and kept it soaking over the twenty four hours (I actually kept mine soaking for about three days if I remember correctly) and they sprouted for me right in the cup! When I noticed the seedlings breaking the seed hull apart I put them in soil under a grow light where they thrived until I was able to move them outside! Such beautiful flowers.

[@kariannecrysler640]

Also in Michigan curious if you tried growing inside for the full life of the vine. I would like to harvest for the tea

[@lolloo13]

@@kariannecrysler640 unfortunately the frost got to it before I could move it inside. It started vining inside before I could move it outside when I had it growing under grow lights so I think as long as you have sufficient light it should be fine inside, just be prepared for it to want to climb on everything! I was lucky enough to get some flowers while it was growing outside. They are beautiful!

[@RKmarie2011]

I hope to see more of videos like this one for difficult to germinate plants! Lavender would be great!!!

[@paulasage3611]

I've had a super easy time growing lavender from seed. They just Iike to take their time growing. Good luck!

[@Just-Nikki]

I made a tea of butterfly pea, chamomile and blue lotus last night. It’s very calming. I love it.

[@thebitcoingarden]

blue lotus, nice i have some seeds but no lake or pond to grow them in :)

[@juanitahaleyfrizzell2191]

I just ordered and received a packet of these beautiful Butterfly Peas. I am so looking forward to growing them for the first time. 🦋

[@BlacknessWirefly]

A personal favorite. Just had some butterfly pea lemonade. Doesn't affect the taste much but I love the pH reaction lol

[@la1163]

Congrats on your beautiful baby girl. Many blessings to you and your family.🙏🏼

[@GreenLove1]

I never appreciated this as much as I should growing up in India where they had perennialized pretty much everywhere. Wish I knew that I could make tea out of it, though at eight years old and probably would not have been very interesting to me, sigh!

[@tempest031]

It's a sacred flower in India, called Shakupushpi(Sanskrit) (shanku = conch , pushpi/pushpa = flower) ; scientific name : Clitoria (because it resembles the female clitoria). It is used in Ayurveda , as a medicine in India. Also used in Chinese medicine. Used as a natural food colorant. Used for during clothes. It even finds mention as a pigment in frescos ; changing the colour of the pigment based on the pH ; add some lime juice and it will turn from deep purple/blue to pink. It likes sunshine a lot, so if you plant it next to a tree, the while tree will be full of the flowers, it's very beautiful to look at too. It is also reported to improve the soil.

[@MaryMary-wd5uv]

Thank you for the articulate and concise growing information.

[@fareebug8439]

Wonderful! 💙💙 Can you do a video on best plants for hummingbirds? Thank you for these lovely videos. I love your seeds.

[@Earthy-Artist]

I have some seed & can't wait to try it. Super valuable tip you gave that I had not heard before about NOT eating the pods! Hopeing mine will do well so I can use the flowers for tea & would love to see the beautiful cobalt blue flowers in my garden!

[@kaori17az]

This is like destiny. I was planing to plant this flower this year. Also it would be great to know more uses of this plant.

[@halewich]

I grew some for the first time this year and had no problems germinating them. I started them indoors in May in zone 6 and transplanted them outdoors in June.

[@angieurban2069]

Thank you for the video! I’m so excited to plant my seeds!

[@Angie-ep2ij]

So glad I watched this. 😊 Thank you for mentioning not to eat the peas.....I did not know that they could be poisonous, and just assumed they were edible since the flowers are used in tea.

[@DespiteMyself7]

Fifty degree nights are a pretty high mark here in Seattle- this year we didn't hit that until halfway into June! I am going to give this a shot next year by moving them into a hoophouse, rather than outdoors. Hopefully I will see some blooms!

[@floridagirl8540]

I just got seeds here in C. FL. I can’t wait to get them growing. It’s July and HOT and humid here

[@cowgrlmeg]

Did you get them to grow? Central FL here wanting to try them

[@salami5050]

I actually was able to germinate 2/3 seeds in April in Canada without a heat mat or dome. I'm babying them inside until June though. Thanks for the great tips!

[@SconnerStudios]

I read from an ebay seller that the pods are actually edible, but not the seeds. I never tried eating them, though. I guess they're popular in southeast Asia.

[@tammystoddard2830]

I grew this this year and it went crazy here in North Central Florida. Over 100 blooms a day per plant.

[@paigekathlene4u]

Hi! Fellow Floridian here. I was hoping you could tell me when you planted them?

[@tammystoddard2830]

@@paigekathlene4u I believe it was March 1st. They really take off once the temps hit the upper 80’s.

[@mio.giardino]

I just got my seeds so this is very helpful!

[@whereisangie]

so pretty! i hope to grow these one day

[@DonaldTingle]

Grows wild here in southern AL. Mine are light blue.

[@stephaniebaksh6683]

"The flowers, leaves, young shoots and tender pods are all edible and commonly consumed, and the leaves can also be used as a green colorant (Mukherjee et al., 2008)."

[@amandafrederick8308]

When "how to germinate" is in the title, I expected it to show or at least go into more detail on that end. I've never had to do it before. Bought seeds from you and now I'll have to look that up.

[@RareSeedsBC]

Thank you for the feedback on this video. Much appreciated.

[@lydiaahubbell8545]

i thought she covered it pretty well.

[@sharongeorge4096]

Are there any specific pests to watch out for? How/when should you fertilize? I bought this year and can’t wait to try them❤️

[@michaelgardoce797]

Thanks for the tips!

[@pattikm66]

Oh goodness, I didn't know they were poisonous and was growing them for the peas as well as flowers and actually ate some last summer with no health issues, but did cook them first! The seed packets should have had a buyer beware on them😳☠️ Glad I saw this video!

[@flicdabic]

Many, many reputable sites (not Brittany's backyard blog or "these plants are so versatile, buy seed from us" sites) have said all parts of the plant are edible. I've spent several days in the past week looking into growing this and read only that eating the pods could cause GI issues in some people. I suggest always researching any new plants edible parts.

[@Sparkelr]

I would not eat the peas, however according to the IFAS/UF website (Univ. of FL): "The flowers, leaves, young shoots and tender pods are all edible and commonly consumed, and the leaves can also be used as a green colorant (Mukherjee et al., 2008)."

[@toniasfusion2797]

Beautiful flower of butterfly pea vine

[@georgez234]

Great video. More, please.

[@GatorLife57]

Love you Shannie ! You are doing great. Wolf from central Florida

[@MaesRuth]

I just got mine in the mail today. I sure do hope I can get them going decently

[@danoneill2846]

cool

[@lucybyrd1810]

Cool im in Florida.

[@suzyq6767]

These would be pretty climbing a front porch trellis.

[@simplywildbysarah]

Mine still haven't come up I like this video, I'll have to buy some more when they are available

[@nairbpenguinlizard]

Are they back in stock? I wanted to get them after I got my whole catalog but they've been out of stock

[@RareSeedsBC]

its currently out of stock, but you can sign up for the notify me when in stock option on them!

[@rareandwonderfull]

2:56 "... a pretty hard seed coat...", I have only questions not answers. Not that we can replicate what happens to them in their native habitat, but if we would have knowledge of that, it would help us on our way to succeed with them, Some of these seeds, it seems, are prepared for germination by going through the digestive tract of a bird or animal. Knowing what happens to them in their native habitat may help. Also, biospheres exist which involve fungal and bacterial assistance. Obviously the narrator and various commentators have succeeded without this knowledge. I feel as if in my 50 years of gardening I have grown EVERYTHING, except for THESE! LOL! But understanding the native habitat of a plant does solve a lot of difficult situations. Day length, humidity or aridity, seasonal variations, fauna, etc. etc.

[@avgoud4788]

In south india its grows like weed vine

[@Lisa75az]

Good to know. I'm not having success. I'm in AZ, I got them to sprout then put the in the yard and nothing. I'll buy a new pack and try again.

[@Perseverant-Soul]

Aww... I get snow sometimes so guessing they wouldn't like it here. shame. nothing to protect them in the cold part of the year?

[@danya.9602]

From what age can one drink this? How many cups can you drink per day?

[@Daughter_of_the_MostHigh]

Mine have not germinated yet I’ve done them in batches I’m hoping soaking will help, I’m in CA, seeds are from Baker Creek

[@Fulkersons]

This is my first time trying to grow butterfly peas. Strange enough I direct sow them and got almost 100% germination. But they grew about 2 inches and stopped. They look healthy they just aren't growing. I live in North California zone 9b, I keep them watered, there's a trellis for them. I'm not sure what to do.

We didn´t even to get to see your baby bump! Happy motherhood....

[@jwrightgardening]

Sigh... I wish you had made this video a year ago. I bought these from you last year and none of them germinated for me. I nicked them and soaked them but I did not have them on a heat mat. I saved two seeds from the packet so hopefully I can get them to germinate this year.

[@MrSeadawg123]

I was looking at how the pods are poisonous. They aren't, per florida web page.

[@Amanda-cn3pk]

How far apart should seeds be planted?

[@savegraysoncats]

Can you eat the pea shoots for greens?

[@RareSeedsBC]

no, only the flowers are edible!

[@kuttakennels7482]

It grows wild here in Jamaica lol for some random reason

[@cindipoole4684]

Would love to know how to make a tea from the flowers? I am hoping to grow this flower this summer.

[@sabdopalon7491]

Saya juga budidaya bunga telang , tapi belom ada buyer nya di sini

[@martystevens2313]

Shannie, are you not doing videos anymore?

[@RareSeedsBC]

Hi Marty, Shannie has moved on from Baker Creek. We miss her, too! You can follow her on Instagram @plantsages.

[@martystevens2313]

@@RareSeedsBC Oh, I used to love her videos. Thanks for the reply.

[@travelwiththehales]

Great tips ! Is that a greenhouse you are in ? If so , what is the make ?

[@marilenacosta9660]

the pea pods are edible when eaten young

[@basilexoticleaffoodforests2573]

So it’s a vining bean 🫘 instead of a bush bean but does it give nitrogen to the plants 🪴 around it???

[@Brownybonbon]

I'm from Indonesia and they sprout in 2 days for me

[@yuriyfazylov5506]

How are they poisonous and edible at the same time? What is the metabolite that kills people?

[@Sheepdog1314]

you can eat the flowers or make tea. Watch it again.

[@Sparkelr]

According to the IFAS/UF website (Univ. of FL): "The flowers, leaves, young shoots and tender pods are all edible and commonly consumed, and the leaves can also be used as a green colorant (Mukherjee et al., 2008)."

[@RareSeedsBC]

only the flowers are considered edible!

[@MrSeadawg123]

​@@RareSeedsBC Where are you getting your information from. This is kind of important.

[@rnilson1501]

Can u eat the young bean podsjust seen not eatting

[@RareSeedsBC]

no, we only recommend using the flowers!

[@kurtmanshardt9825]

I requested a catalog weeks ago and still haven't received it ?

[@RareSeedsBC]

If you requested it between 12-16-21 to 2-3-22 then its shipping out now and should arrive within 3 weeks!

[@kurtmanshardt9825]

@@RareSeedsBC I think I did but I'm not sure my zip is 48066 and of course you have my name could you double-check to make sure and if I didn't order between that time. Could you send me one thank you very much I appreciate it

[@janehavran7474]

I thought most legumes resent transplanting ?

[@bobbybrown840]

💙

[@Adnancorner]

They are not poisonous. The green pods can be cooked but has to be immature. The mature pods are too hard to cook. Its a feed plant for goats and sheep in India. The farmers grow them as walls to harvest and supplement the cow/goat feed. Its a legume so protein requirements are met with this plant. they add Napier grass as well. Its a chop & drop type of plant. They chop for feed, and then wait for them to regrow.

[@michellejackson6755]

Can this plant be grown from cuttings?

[@RareSeedsBC]

yes it can be!

[@michellejackson6755]

@@RareSeedsBC awesome!!!!

[@janicebain3674]

Do you sell the herb?

[@RareSeedsBC]

We do carry butterfly pea! -> www.rareseeds.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Butterfly+pea

[@Namhpub]

Where can you get them?

[@RareSeedsBC]

we do carry them though its currently out of stock! www.rareseeds.com/store/vegetables/butterfly-pea/blue-butterfly-pea

[@PrettyAliceNight]

When you say nick the seed what do you use to do that?

[@Amanda-cn3pk]

Nail clippers work great

[@SunshineCountryChickens]

These seeds are out of stock!

[@RareSeedsBC]

you can sign up for the notify me when in stock option on them!

[@SunshineCountryChickens]

@@RareSeedsBC Ah great idea I will do that!

[@sigmamale5917]

Bunga telang

[@DonnaRatliff1]

I bought 3 types of flower seeds last spring. I didn't get the seed I ordered. Wont be purchasing this year.

[@RareSeedsBC]

please send us a message with your name and address or order number on any one of our social media pages or via email, and we can refund or replace them fi you got the wrong seeds!

[@dayananeil2642]

??o?o??