Moonflower is a tree that takes about 80 days to establish — a planting measured in decades, not seasons. It's hardy across USDA zones 3 through 11, shrugs off deer and grows just as well in a container as in the ground. Its flowers are a real draw for moths and hummingbirds.
Zones
3-11
pH Range
4.3-7.5
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
80
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What Moonflower is
Moonflower grows as an annual and reaches around 15 feet at maturity. It blooms white from spring through fall. It's also deer-resistant and well suited to containers.
How to grow Moonflower
Moonflower grows in USDA zones 3 through 11. Moonflower does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4.3 to 7.5, on consistently moist ground. It needs around 1,200 growing degree days to mature and a growing season of at least 30 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
3-11
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
4.3 - 7.5
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
poorly (saturated >50% of year)
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
50°F
plant_species_v5.csv
Days to Maturity
80 days
plant_species_v5.csv
GDD Required
1200+
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
15 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
30+
plant_species_v5.csv
Plant it right
Set moonflower in full sun with consistently moist soil. Many fruit trees need a second variety nearby to pollinate — check before you plant just one.
Match the soil
Moonflower prefers pH 4.3 to 7.5 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. Match watering to the plant's drainage preference and your local rainfall.
Be patient, then harvest
Moonflower takes about 80 days to its first meaningful harvest (University Extension production guides). Prune annually while it establishes, and the tree will then crop for years.
Good to know
One caution for pet owners — moonflower is toxic to dogs and cats (mild severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)
Moonflower is a standout pollinator plant — high value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Moonflower thrives
On hardiness alone, moonflower grows across most of the country — its range (USDA zones 3 through 11) is unusually wide. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 3–11·Where Moonflower growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Moonflower can grow in these states:
See if Moonflower will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether moonflower actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Moonflower in my zone?
Moonflower grows in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 11 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
When should you plant Moonflower?
Set moonflower out in early spring or fall while it's dormant, so the roots establish before the heat of summer. Your local last-frost date — which a Growable Ground report pulls for your exact address — sets the precise window.
How much sun does Moonflower need?
Moonflower needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Moonflower need?
Moonflower prefers soil pH 4.3 to 7.5, on consistently moist ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Moonflower attract pollinators?
Yes — moonflower's flowers are a strong nectar and pollen source for moths and hummingbirds (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Moonflower safe for pets?
Moonflower is toxic to pets (dogs,cats) with mild severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency.