Butterfly pea originates from Ternate island in Indonesia, and has been used medicinally all over Asia. The scientific genus, Clitoria, refers to exactly what you might imagine – the flowers resemble a female clitoris. This name directly comes from the original Ternate language. It will flower year round.

This plant is well known medicinally for its health benefits. The butterfly pea is used in Ayrvedic medicine, helping treat a wide range of internal ailments. It is used to dye foods, such as tea or rice, and produces an entertaining bright blue or purple color. The seed pods are edible once steamed or cooked.

This plant hardly seems to suffer from pests, but be mindful. It will easily grow into a large vine, so make sure it has a trellis or fence to climb on. It is a super easy plant that doesn’t require too much additional care.