Clitoria Ternatea Aparajita Shankhpushpi Single Blue Plant

Single Blue Aparajita (Butterfly Pea / Shankhpushpi)

Clitoria ternatea, commonly known as Aparajita, Butterfly Pea, or Shankhpushpi, is a flowering climber belonging to the Fabaceae family. This Single Blue variety produces elegant deep blue flowers with a distinctive white centre, making it one of the most popular ornamental and medicinal flowering vines for home gardens.

Widely cultivated for its ornamental beauty, edible flowers, herbal tea, and traditional medicinal uses, Butterfly Pea is also valued for its ability to enrich the soil through natural nitrogen fixation. Its vigorous growth and long flowering season make it an excellent choice for trellises, fences, balconies, and pergolas while attracting butterflies and other pollinators to the garden.

Flower Colour: Deep Blue with White Centre
Blooming Season: Most of the year in warm tropical climates

Culinary Uses

• The flowers are widely used to prepare Butterfly Pea Tea and as a natural blue food colouring.
• The tea naturally changes from blue to purple when lemon juice or other acidic ingredients are added.
• Flowers can be used in beverages, desserts, rice dishes, cocktails, and herbal infusions.
• The petals pair well with honey, mint, ginger, cinnamon, and passion fruit.

Growing Conditions

Aparajita thrives in full sun and adapts well to a wide range of soil types, including clay soils. It grows best in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH range of 5.5–8.9. Regular pruning encourages bushier growth and abundant flowering. Applying phosphorus-rich fertilizers such as bone meal helps support healthy blooms. In warm, frost-free climates, flowering can begin within 7–11 weeks and continue for much of the year.

Landscape Uses

Ideal for trellises, fences, pergolas, balconies, containers, butterfly gardens, cottage gardens, and ornamental landscapes where its vibrant blue flowers create a striking display throughout the growing season.