Ipomoea alba (Moonflower)

Botanical name

Ipomoea alba

Other names

Moonflower, Belle de nuit, Moon creeper, Bona nox, Ipomoea bona-nox, Calonyction aculeatum, Tropical white morning glory, Moon vine

Genus

Ipomoea Ipomoea

Species

I. alba - I. alba a tender, twining, evergreen climber, often grown as an annual, with ovate to rounded, sometimes lobed, mid- to dark green leaves and clusters of fragrant, trumpet-shaped, white flowers from early summer to autumn.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Climbing

Toxicity

May cause stomach discomfort if ingested.

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Colour

Flower

White in Summer; White in Autumn

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Glasshouse red spider mite , Whitefly

Specific diseases

Powdery mildew , Virus

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 11 in spring.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Ipomoea alba (Moonflower) will reach a height of 5m and a spread of 2m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Wallside and trellises, Greenhouse, Containers, Conservatory

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny site. Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light. In growth, water freely & feed monthly; sparingly in winter. Will be significantly taller if grown as a perennial

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 12, Zone 11, Zone 10

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Ipomoea alba (Moonflower)

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Ipomoea alba (Moonflower)

Common pest name

Asain cotton leafworm; Cluster caterpillar; Fall armyworm; Rice cutworm; Taro caterpiller; Tobacco budworm; Tobacco caterpillar; Tobacco cutworm; Tobacco leaf caterpillar

Scientific pest name

Spodoptera litura

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Regulated pest; frequently intercepted with occasional outbreaks which have been successfully eradicated in the UK.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Ipomoea alba (Moonflower)

Common pest name

Black scale; Coffee scale; black; Nigra scale

Scientific pest name

Parasaissetia nigra

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Present at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew for in excess of 100 years. Candidate for deregulation.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/