Flowers

Torenia (Wishbone Flower): Timing, Spacing, Care & Bloom

Quick answer

Start indoors 6–11 weeks before last frost (Purdue, Clemson). Set-out: after frost (Clemson), or 2–3 weeks before the frost-free date for this frost-tolerant plant (Purdue).

Torenia (Wishbone Flower) at a glance

PlantStart indoors: 11–6 wk before last frost
WaterPart shade to shade; moist, well-drained media — avoid waterlogging.
SpacingCompact seed types; trailing types often from plants not seed (Clemson).
Days to bloomBloom season
-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1LF+1+2+3
■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
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Updated

Wishbone flower (Torenia fournieri) — shade annual named for the wishbone-shaped stamens.

Torenia wishbone flower
Torenia (Torenia fournieri). Photo: KENPEI, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized).

Sourced from university extension guides. For dates where you live, use the ZIP planting planner.

Planting timing

Purdue HO-14: Torenia — 11 weeks before last frost; frost tolerance after harden medium. (Purdue HO-14-W) Clemson: start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the average last frost date; set plants out after the last frost. (Clemson torenia) Purdue HO-203 lists Torenia as frost-tolerant — can be planted 2 to 3 weeks before the average frost-free date (.).

Depth and spacing

Compact seed types; trailing types often from plants not seed (Clemson).

Sun, soil and water

Part shade to shade; moist, well-drained media — avoid waterlogging.

Care and bloom

Self-cleaning blooms; no deadhead needed (Clemson). Wishbone stamens; spring to frost.

Pests and diseases

Drainage and airflow; avoid wet foliage.

Related: ZIP planner · planting calendars

Frequently asked questions

When do I start?

6–11 weeks before last frost (−11/−6).

When outside?

After frost (Clemson), or 2–3 weeks before the frost-free date for this frost-tolerant plant (Purdue).

Why wishbone?

The stamens form a wishbone shape.

Sources