Butterfly Pea Tree (Clitoria arborea) is a beautiful tropical flowering plant that can be grown successfully in a large pot. It produces attractive pea-like flowers and can eventually develop into a small tree with proper care.
🪴 1. Choose the right pot
- Start with a 12–15 inch pot for a young plant.
- As it grows, shift it to a 20–24 inch pot.
- Use a pot with several drainage holes.
- A heavy pot is preferable once the plant becomes tall so it doesn’t tip over.
🌱 2. Soil mix
Use a loose, well-draining but fertile mixture:
- 40% garden soil
- 30% compost or well-rotted cow manure
- 20% cocopeat
- 10% coarse sand/perlite
The soil should retain some moisture but should never remain waterlogged.
☀️ 3. Sunlight
Give it 5–7 hours of direct sunlight daily.
More sunlight generally encourages stronger growth and better flowering. In very hot summer weather, some protection from harsh afternoon sun can help a young plant.
💧 4. Watering
Water deeply when the upper 1–2 inches of soil becomes dry.
- Summer: water more frequently as needed.
- Monsoon: reduce watering if the soil stays wet.
- Winter: allow the soil to dry somewhat between watering.
Avoid keeping the pot continuously soggy.
🌿 5. Feeding
During active growth:
- Add compost or vermicompost every 30–45 days.
- You can use a balanced fertilizer occasionally at a low dose.
- Before and during flowering, a fertilizer with comparatively more phosphorus and potassium can support flowering.
✂️ 6. Pruning & shaping
If you want a compact, bushy plant, pinch the growing tip when it reaches around 30–60 cm.
Remove weak, damaged or crossing branches. Regular light pruning can encourage more side branches and give the plant a fuller shape.
🌡️ 7. Temperature
It prefers warm tropical conditions. Protect young plants from prolonged cold and frost.
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