How to Grow Wishbone Flower
Torenia fournieri
Wishbone flower is a tender annual that thrives in warm, humid conditions with partial shade — perfect for shady summer containers and border edges. Sow indoors 6 weeks before the last frost; don't cover seeds as they need light to germinate. Pinch tips early for bushy plants. Plant out after all frost risk has passed, spacing 20 cm apart. Keep soil consistently moist but well-drained. Feed every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Flowers continuously from early summer until first frost with little deadheading needed.
When to Start
Start seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors once night temperatures stay above 10°C and soil has warmed to at least 15°C.
Don't know your frost date? Find it here →
Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks from transplanting through flowering.
- Wishbone flower thrives in warm, humid conditions with dappled or partial shade — ideal for shady containers and borders. Named for the wishbone-shaped stamens visible when flowers open.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 15°C+
- Germination temperature
- 20–25°C
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 20 cm |
| Row spacing | 25 cm |
| Sow depth | 0 cm |
| Mature height | 25 cm |
| Mature spread | 20 cm |
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 15°C |
| Germination temperature | 20–25°C |
| Base growth temperature | 10°C |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Wishbone Flower?
- Plant Wishbone Flower 20cm apart with 25cm between rows.
- When does Wishbone Flower flower?
- Wishbone Flower typically flowers approximately 60 days after transplanting.
- Is Wishbone Flower frost hardy?
- Wishbone Flower is classified as Tender.
