Botanical Name: Torenia fournieri ‘Yellow 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: Soft yellow blooms, warm tones, heat tolerant, self-cleaning, shade-loving

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

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation prohibited without license

More About Torenia ‘Yellow Moon™’

Torenia ‘Yellow Moon™’ is a compact, shade-loving annual bred to bring soft, luminous yellow color to low-light spaces. The blooms are warm and buttery with gentle golden tones, offering brightness without looking harsh or washed out. Plants develop a tidy, mounded habit with strong branching, staying full and balanced throughout the season. Flowering begins in late spring and continues steadily through frost without the need for deadheading. Its self-cleaning blooms and controlled growth make it an easy, dependable choice for shaded gardens and containers.

This variety performs particularly well in heat and humidity, where lighter-colored shade plants often struggle to hold their color. ‘Yellow Moon™’ continues blooming reliably through summer as long as soil moisture is consistent and plants are protected from intense afternoon sun. It thrives in partial to full shade but handles morning sun without stress. Because it stays compact, it works well as a filler in mixed containers or as a front-edge plant in shaded borders. Overall, it delivers warmth and light in areas that typically feel flat or dark.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Yellow Moon™’ surprised us in the best way. Yellow is notoriously tricky in shade, but this variety held its color beautifully without fading or bleaching out. When we first tried it back in 2020, we planted it near a shaded entry where we half expected it to disappear, only to have it quietly brighten the whole space all summer. It stayed uniform, never leggy, and didn’t need constant attention. When a plant defies expectations and performs this consistently, it earns a long-term spot in our program.

Yellow Moon™ vs. Other Torenia Varieties

Within the Moon Series, ‘Yellow Moon™’ is the warmest and softest in tone. Compared to Blue Moon™, which anchors combinations with cool saturation, Yellow Moon™ lifts and lightens them. Purple Moon™ brings depth and drama, while Yellow Moon™ offers contrast and approachability.Design-wise, Yellow acts as a bridge color, helping bold foliage and darker colors like Purple and Blue transition more naturally. White Moon™ is the brightest and cleanest, but Yellow Moon™ feels gentler and more forgiving in mixed plantings. All Moon Series varieties share compact habits and heat tolerance, but when a planting needs warmth and brightness without overpowering the design, ‘Yellow Moon™’ is the perfect fit.