Benghal Dayflower (Commelina benghalensis)

Benghal Dayflower

Commelina benghalensis

Its fleeting blue blooms shine like tiny stars across garden beds. Herbaceous ground cover; common name: tropical spiderwort.

Partial sun
2–3/week
Beginner
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Plant Needs

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Sunlight Thrives in partial sun to full shade; tolerates dappled sunlight, and avoids intense midday sun in hot climates
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Watering Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; allow the top 1 cm of soil to dry slightly between waterings
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Temperature Prefers warm tropical to subtropical temperatures; cannot tolerate frost below 10°C
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Characteristics

  • Leaf: Simple, lanceolate to ovate leaves, 3–8 cm long, bright green with smooth margins
  • Flower: Small three-petaled blooms, mostly blue with one distinct white petal, lasting only one day
  • Stem: Slender, creeping or ascending stems that root at nodes to spread rapidly
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Care Guide

Watering

Maintain consistent soil moisture; water when top 1 cm of soil feels dry

Fertilization

Diluted balanced liquid feed every 2 weeks. Discontinue fertilization in autumn and winter when growth slows

Banana peel compost tea:Compost banana peels for 2 weeks, steep in water for 24 hours, dilute 1:20 for root drench; avoid raw peels to prevent pest infestations
Pruning
  • Trim back overgrown stems to maintain a compact ground cover shape
  • Remove spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering throughout the season
  • Thin dense patches to improve airflow and reduce the risk of fungal diseases
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Toxicity

Warning: this plant may be toxic.

Pets & Humans

Pets: ASPCA confirmed non-toxic to cats; no reported toxicity

Humans: Non-toxic to humans; no known adverse effects from ingestion or contact

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Garden Uses & Culture

Culture: N/A

Usage: Low-growing ground cover for garden beds, container ornamental plant, and erosion control in moist areas