Torenia Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - updated 27th Oct 2023
In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Torenia plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.
- Plant Characteristics: Torenia plants have vibrant colored tubular flowers. Gardeners love them for their unique wishbone-shaped stamens and their adaptability in shady locations.
- Ideal Growing Conditions: These plants thrive in partial to full shade. They prefer well-draining soil that stays consistently moist.
- General Care: Regular watering is essential, especially in drier conditions. Deadheading spent blooms encourages continued flowering.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Wishbone flower is a great pick for beginners due to its forgiving nature. Ensure a shaded spot and keep the soil moist for best results. Overly sunny locations may stress the plant.
Wishbone Flower, and Blue Wings: Cultivation & Garden Use
Members of the Torenia genus are usually grown as half hardy annuals in gardens. They reach about 30 cm (12 inches) in height.
They bloom in summer and the early months of autumn. When they are in bloom they carry multicoloured tubular flowers.
Wishbone flower by Scott.zona
The flowers are often seen in the colors of white, blue, purple, pink, and yellow.
Torenia fournieri by Carl E Lewis. Both photographs under creative commons licence.
Some common names for Torenia plants include Wishbone flower and Bluewings.
Commonly Grown Torenia Species Photographs and Plant Identification
Torenia fournieri
Torenia fournieri (Wishbone flower / Bluewings / Ola'a beauty), photograph by 阿橋 HQ; CC.
Torenia asiatica
Torenia asiatica syn. Torenia glabra
Torenia asiatica (Asiatic Wishbone Flower), photograph by Forest and Kim Starr; CC.
Torenia crustacea
Torenia crustacea syn. Lindernia crustacea syn.
Torenia crustacea (Asiatic Wishbone Flower / Malaysian False Pimpernel), picture by Dinesh Valke; CC.
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Torenia Growing and Care Guide
Common Names: Wishbone Flower, Blue Wings.Family: Linderniaceae.
Life Cycle: Half hardy annual.
Height: 12 to 16 inches (30 to 40 cm).
Native: Africa, Asia.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 10.
Flowers: Summer and autumn.
Flower Details: Blue, violet, purple, pink, yellow, white; usually many colours. Tubular. Trumpets.
Foliage: Opposite. Toothed. Deltoid to Rhomboid.
Sow Outside: Surface. A couple of weeks after the last frost. Spacing 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm).
Sow Inside: Use peat pots. Germination time: one week to one month. Temperature 70°F (21°C). Seven or eight weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors a couple of weeks after the last frost.
Requirements: Afternoon shade. Good drainage. Rich soil. Moist soil. Organic soil. Regular watering. Pinch tips. Propagate: cuttings.
How to Grow Wishbone Flower and other Torenia Plants in the Garden
If growing Wishbone flowers (Torenia plants) outdoors from seed then sow on the soil surface in spring, a week or so after the last chance of frost.
Wishbone flowers (and other Torenia species) should be spaced about 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) apart. Grow them in a sunny area that is shaded in the afternoon.
Ideally the soil that Wishbone flowers grow in will have good drainage, be moist, and should be enriched with organic matter.
If planning to start off indoors, then sow Torenia seed about 8 weeks before due to be transplanted outdoors.
It should take from one to four weeks for the seeds to germinate at 20 to 23 degrees centigrade (68 to 73°F) in the light.
Once established transplant into the garden a couple of weeks after the last chance of a frost.
Caring for Torenia
Torenia Plants, such as wishbone flower and Blue wings, are pretty easy to look after.
Once they have been growing for a few weeks, and have reached an height of about 8 cm (2 1/2 inches), pinch them back. This will encourage branching, and result in a bush and a healthy looking plant.
As they like moist soil, it is necessary to water wishbone flowers on a regular basis.
If you require more plants then they can be sown from seed or cuttings took.
Common Questions
How many members does the Torenia genus have?
The Torenia genus, commonly known as Wishbone Flower, contains about 40 species.
Do members of Torenia make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Yes, Torenia species are popular in gardens, valued for their colorful flowers. They're ideal for hanging baskets, container gardening, or as bedding plants.
Which Torenia species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
The most commonly grown species is Torenia fournieri, also known as Bluewings or Wishbone Flower.
Are members of the Torenia plant genus fragrant?
Torenia species are not typically known for fragrance, but their colorful flowers are quite attractive.
What is the perfect location to grow Torenia?
Torenia prefers partial shade and consistently moist soil. It's a great choice for shaded patios, borders, or woodland gardens.
Is Torenia invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Currently, Torenia is not known to be invasive in the USA. Always refer to local guidelines for the most accurate information.
How do I remove Torenia plants from my garden?
To remove Torenia, uproot the entire plant, ensuring all root material is removed to prevent regrowth.
Summary
Torenia is a small genus in the family Linderniaceae. This tropical annual originates from Asia and Africa, and is admired for its beautiful, trumpet-shaped flowers.
Torenia thrives in conditions of partial shade and well-drained, moist soil. It's ideal for growing in summer and can be propagated from seeds, typically sown in early spring. It's frequently used in hanging baskets and container gardens.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Torenia plants. You may also enjoy the following half hardy annual Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Impatiens, Bellis plant, Celmisia plant, and Hibiscus plants.
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