Botanical Name: Torenia fournieri ‘Blue Moon™’

Common Name: Torenia, Wishbone Flower

Hardiness Zone: Grown as an annual in all climates (perennial in USDA Zones 10–11)

Size: 10–14" tall × 12–18" wide

Growth Habit: Compact, mounded, well-branched

Sunlight: Partial Shade to Full Shade (tolerates morning sun)

Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil or high-quality potting mix

Water Needs: Moderate; prefers evenly moist soil

Bloom Season: Late Spring through Frost

Fertilizer: Light, regular feeding during active growth

Features: Deep blue blooms, golden throat, heat tolerant, self-cleaning, shade-loving

Uses: Containers, hanging baskets, window boxes, shaded borders, underplanting

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation prohibited without license

More About Torenia ‘Blue Moon™’

Torenia ‘Blue Moon™’ is a compact, shade-loving annual bred to deliver saturated blue color through the heat of summer. The flowers are velvety and richly pigmented, accented by a soft yellow throat that adds depth without distracting from the blue tones. Plants maintain a tidy, mounded habit, typically staying low and well-branched rather than stretching or flopping. Blooming begins in late spring and continues steadily through frost with no deadheading required. The self-cleaning flowers and consistent structure make it an easy choice for both containers and shaded beds.

This variety is especially well-suited to humid climates, where many shade annuals slow down or fade mid-season. ‘Blue Moon™’ continues flowering reliably even during prolonged heat, provided it receives consistent moisture and protection from harsh afternoon sun. It performs best in partial to full shade but tolerates gentle morning sun without stress. Because of its controlled growth, it works well as a filler in mixed containers or as a front-edge plant in shaded borders. Overall, it’s a low-maintenance option that delivers strong color where it’s often hardest to achieve.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our own trials, ‘Blue Moon™’ quickly became one of the most consistent torenia varieties we’ve grown. It stayed compact and uniform long after other shade annuals started to thin out, and the color never dulled—even in the peak of summer. The first year we grew it, we planted it in a north-facing container by the office, where it outperformed everything planted beside it. While other plants needed trimming or replacement, ‘Blue Moon™’ just kept blooming quietly and reliably. That kind of steady performance is exactly what earns a plant a permanent spot in our lineup.

Blue Moon™ vs. Other Torenia Varieties

Compared to the other varieties in the Moon™ Series, Blue Moon™ is the coolest and most saturated in tone. While Purple Moon™ leans richer and darker, offering more drama, Blue Moon™ reads cleaner and crisper in mixed plantings. However, both Purple and Blue look very similar and share the same compact habit and nonstop flowering. White Moon™ brings brightness and in shade gardens, but doesn’t provide the same depth of color that Blue Moon™ does. Similarly, Yellow Moon™ adds warmth and softness, making it ideal for lifting combinations, whereas Blue Moon™ anchors them. All share the same compact habit and heat tolerance, but if you’re looking for the strongest true-blue shade option in the series, ‘Blue Moon™’ is the clear standout.