The Story
Plant Bio
Torenia fournieri, wishbone flower, is a compact annual from Southeast Asia, six to eighteen inches high and only six to eight across. Light green oval leaves clothe upright green stems, and small trumpet-shaped flowers in blue, purple, pink, yellow or white open from summer to frost, each with a contrasting throat.
It is one of the very few annuals that flowers freely in genuine shade, which makes it the answer to a shaded container that petunias will not fill. The name comes from a detail worth looking for: the two stamens arch and meet inside each flower in a shape like a wishbone. It needs steady moisture and dislikes drying out.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Annual
Height
8 inches
Width
7 inches
Light
Partial Sun, Shade
Zones
10
Water
Moderate to high
Humidity
Moderate to high
Lifespan
Annual
Native To
Southeast Asia
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Planting
How to Grow
- Plant in dappled to deep shade after the last frost.
- Give it moist, humus-rich, freely draining soil.
- Water regularly; it wilts quickly when dry.
- Feed container plants every few weeks.
- Pinch young plants once to encourage branching.
- Expect it to self-sow gently in mild gardens.
Pro Tip
This is the shade annual to reach for when impatiens have failed to mildew — it flowers in the same dark corners without that disease.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Use it for shaded containers 🌑
- Keep the compost evenly moist 💧
- Pinch young plants once ✂️
- Feed containers regularly 🧪
Don't
- Let it dry out ❌
- Plant it in hot full sun ❌
- Set it out before the soil is warm ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feed | ||||||||||||
| Plant Out |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Wishbone Flower questions
What zones can Wishbone Flower grow in?
Wishbone Flower is hardy in USDA Zone 10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Wishbone Flower deer resistant?
Not reliably. Deer may browse Wishbone Flower, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.
When does Wishbone Flower bloom?
Wishbone Flower typically blooms in summer to frost through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Wishbone Flower need full sun?
Wishbone Flower does best in part shade.
More Torenia to compare
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Wishbone Flower with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.