Torenia fournieri, the wishbone flower, is a dainty warm-season annual carrying small, trumpet-shaped flowers in blue, purple, pink and white, each with a contrasting yellow-blotched throat and the tiny wishbone-shaped stamens that give it its name. Compact and mounding or gently trailing, it brings colour to shaded and partly shaded spots, thriving in the warmth and humidity of the Indian monsoon and summer. Excellent in pots, baskets and shaded borders, torenia is an easy, cheerful alternative to impatiens, flowering freely with little fuss and attracting bees and butterflies.
Specifications
| Family |
Linderniaceae |
| Native region |
Southeast Asia |
| Mature height |
15-30 cm |
| Mature spread |
15-25 cm |
| Growth rate |
Moderate to fast |
| Foliage |
Soft, toothed green leaves |
| Flower colour |
Blue, purple, pink, white with yellow throat |
| Flower season |
Warm months and monsoon |
| Climate zone |
Tropical to subtropical |
Care guide
| Sunlight |
Part shade to filtered light |
| Watering |
Keep consistently moist; dislikes drying out |
| Soil / mix |
Rich, moist, well-drained soil |
| Temperature |
Best at 20-30C; frost tender |
| Humidity |
Prefers moderate to high humidity |
| Fertilizer |
Balanced feed every 2-3 weeks |
| Pruning |
Pinch tips to encourage branching |
| Repotting |
Refresh containers each season |
| Propagation |
From seed or stem cuttings |
| Pests & problems |
Whitefly, aphids, root rot in wet soil |
| Toxicity / safety |
Non-toxic to people and pets |
| Difficulty |
Easy |
Uses
Ideal for shaded and part-shaded beds, hanging baskets, window boxes and pots, offering cheerful colour through the warm season. A fine companion or substitute for impatiens.
Growing tips
A great monsoon and summer bloomer for shaded Indian balconies; keep the soil moist, give filtered light, and pinch young plants to build dense, free-flowering mounds.