Plant types

Plant styles

Planting conditions

Seasonal interest

Nurseries & Gardens

Photo by Dave Whitinger

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

Show all photos

Ipomoea alba

Also Known As

Calonyction aculeatum
Ipomoea bona-nox
Moonflower

Plant type

perennial, vine

size

H: 10'-15'
W: 5'-15'

planting zones

8a-11

More Options

Ipomoea alba plant details

Ipomoea alba is a broadleaf deciduous perennial vine with green foliage. In fall, spring and summer white flowers emerge. Attracts butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average and lean soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Ipomoea alba

Plant type: perennial vine
Plant family: convolvulaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 5 FT - 15 FT - wide, 10 FT - 15 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in fall, spring and summer
Uses: clove-scented, cottage garden, easy-to-grow, floriferous, fragrant, long-blooming, showy

GROWING CONDITIONS for Ipomoea alba

USDA Zones: 8a - 11
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: heat
Soil needs: average and lean

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

As the evening hours arrive, lush perfume emanates from these waxy bridal-white flowers with star-shaped creases of cream. Dark green hear-shaped leaves adorn this handsome vine. Listed in an 1884 catalog but available as early as 1750. Tolerates humid heat.

By: Select Seeds

Calonyction aculeatum is a rapid growing annual vine to 20 feet producing 6-8" fragrant white flowers in evening filing the air with fragrance..likes sun to part shade...blooms till frost

By: Accents for Home and Garden

Moonflower is an exotic vine with white flowers up to 6" that open in the evening and emit a clove-like scent. Prefers a leaner soil with morning shade (so that you can enjoy the flowers in the morning too).

By: Avant Gardens

Fragrant, & enormous white blooms (6” long & wide) open in the evening & close before mid-day. A wonderful vine to plant near an outdoor patio or near one’s bedroom window. Numerous flowers are produced on vigorous stems, grows 10-15’ tall. Blooms late Spring-Fall. Luxurious leaves, 3-8” long & heart-shaped, are closely spaced. Provide something for it to clamber up like a trellis. Ordinary soil is fine. No need to fertilize, but I’m sure it would love a bit of compost. Excellent for an evening rendezvous!