Commelina benghalensis
Commelina benghalensis · Commelinaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant commelina benghalensis: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Common name
- Bengal Dayflower
- Family
- Commelinaceae
- Type
- Annual or perennial herb depending on climate
- Flowering
- Summer to autumn, ephemeral blue flowers
- Adult size
- 30 to 60 cm tall
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Frost-sensitive, minimum 10-15°C
- Origin
- Tropical Asia (India, Bangladesh)
Care
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist during the growing period, but avoid waterlogging. Reduce watering in winter or during dormancy. Daily or every-other-day watering may be necessary in hot climates.
Light exposure
Place the plant in bright light, with a few hours of direct sun daily. Partial shade is beneficial in very hot regions. Insufficient light slows growth and reduces flowering.
Pruning and cleanup
Pinch back the tips regularly to encourage branching and achieve a bushy habit. Remove spent flowers to extend the flowering period. At the end of the season, trim dead or weakened parts.
Substrate and soil
Use fertile, well-draining potting soil enriched with organic matter. The plant tolerates slight acidity. Adding compost or peat promotes growth indoors or in containers.
Fertilization
Apply balanced fertilizer every 15 to 20 days during the active growing period. Reduce or stop in winter. Excess nitrogen encourages foliage at the expense of flowers.
Pests and diseases
Watch for red spider mites and whiteflies in dry conditions. Excessive moisture can promote root or stem rot. Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering.
Did you know?
Bengal Dayflower gets its scientific name from its region of origin in South Asia. Its flowers, a remarkable luminescent blue, open for only a few hours in the morning, making them ephemeral and highly ornamental. This plant has naturalized in many tropical and subtropical regions, sometimes becoming invasive.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Wooly SpiderwortTradescantia sillamontana
- Asiatic dayflowerCommelina communis
- SpiderwortTradescantia fluminensis
- Commelina diffusaCommelina diffusa
- Ohio spiderwortTradescantia ohiensis
- Commelina cyaneaCommelina cyanea
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.