Botanical Name: Torenia fournieri ‘Kauai™ Mix’

Common Name: Torenia, Wishbone Flower

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

Size: 8–12" tall × 10–14" 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 Early Fall

Fertilizer: Light, regular feeding during active growth

Features: Multicolor blooms, tidy habit, heat tolerant, self-cleaning flowers

Uses: Containers, window boxes, shaded borders, mass plantings

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation prohibited without license

More About Torenia ‘Kauai™ Mix’

Torenia ‘Kauai™ Mix’ is a compact, shade-loving annual prized for its lively blend of flower colors on a single planting. Each plant produces a balanced mix of purple, blue, and pink blooms, creating a finished look without needing multiple varieties. The flowers have the classic wishbone shape and appear evenly across the plant rather than clustering in one area. Plants stay naturally mounded and well-branched, making them easy to design within both containers and garden beds. Blooming begins in late Spring and continues steadily through the heat of Summer into early Fall.

This variety performs especially well in Part Shade to Full Shade and holds its color well in humid conditions. It tolerates gentle morning sun but appreciates protection from intense afternoon heat. With consistent watering and light feeding, ‘Kauai™ Mix’ maintains strong flowering without stretching or thinning. The self-cleaning blooms mean very little maintenance is required to keep it looking fresh. Overall, it’s an easy, colorful solution for shaded areas that need personality without complexity.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Kauai™ Mix’ proved itself as one of the most dependable compact Torenia options we grow. The color mix stayed balanced all season, rather than one color dominating or fading out. Kauai™ Mix fills in quickly and never loses its shape—even during peak Summer heat. It didn’t need trimming, pinching, or constant attention to look good. That kind of consistency makes it a favorite when we want dependable color with minimal fuss.

Kauai™ Mix vs. Moon Series & Summer Wave®

Kauai™ Mix offers a more playful, multicolored look that feels less formal and more garden-casual than the Moon™ Series. While the Kauai™ Mix delivers built-in color variation on each plant, the Moon varieties are bred for single, saturated colors and a very uniform presentation, which gives them a cleaner, more polished appearance in containers. Structurally, both remain compact and well-branched, but Moon Series reads more refined, while Kauai™ Mix feels cheerful and informal.

When compared to Summer Wave® Trailing Blue, the difference is primarily growth habit and design intent. Summer Wave® is bred for true trailing and movement, making it ideal for hanging baskets, elevated planters, and spill-over edges. Kauai™ Mix stays upright and mounded, holding its shape neatly in borders and mixed containers. If you’re looking for a single plant that provides multiple colors without trailing or cascading, ‘Kauai™ Mix’ is the clear choice.