Clitoria ternatea ‘Double Pink’ — Pink Butterfly Pea | Color-Changing Tea & Cocktail Magic

Description

This exotic tropical vine is known for its vivid blue (and sometimes purple or white) pea-shaped flowers—but the ‘Double Pink’ variety offers something rarer: delicate, doubled petals in blushing pink tones that will stop every visitor in their tracks.

Native to the Indonesian island of Ternate, Clitoria ternatea has captivated Asian cultures for centuries. In Ayurveda, butterfly pea flower tea is called Anchan tea, used in devotional ceremonies to represent love, serenity and protection, and is associated with the powerful Hindu goddess Aparajita (whose name means “the undefeated one”). Your ‘Double Pink’ will carry that same spiritual weight—but with the added allure of romantic pink rather than traditional blue.

Here’s what makes this variety truly special: the flower extract possesses the ability to change color; four different colored forms of the anthocyanin exist, and they can be changed back and forth purely based on the pH. Brew a cup of delicate pink-flower tea, and when the pH is lowered, usually through the addition of a mild acid like lemon or lime juice, the extract will appear pink or light purple instead. This color-shifting alchemy makes butterfly pea the darling of contemporary bartenders and chefs—chefs and mixologists love this feature and use the butterfly pea flower to create visually stunning dishes and drinks. Imagine cocktails that bloom from pink to lavender, desserts and rice dishes that transform at the table. In Burmese and Thai cuisines, the flowers are also dipped in butter and fried, and the flowers are edible and used to make herbal tea known for its antioxidant properties. Beyond the spectacle, the plant has been widely used in traditional medicine, particularly as a supplement to enhance cognitive functions and alleviate symptoms of numerous ailments including fever, inflammation, pain, and diabetes.

Growing ‘Double Pink’ is genuinely rewarding. This plant is easy to grow from seed and is low maintenance once established and climbing its way up a trellis. The butterfly pea requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, which energizes the plant for effective photosynthesis and aids in the development of vibrant and healthy flowers. It prefers well-draining loamy soil with good drainage to prevent root rot, and a slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal. Keep daytime temperatures around 68–85°F (20–30°C), and avoid letting it drop much below about 60°F (16°C). Growing butterfly pea prefers regular watering in the first growing season, and once mature, it requires small but additional amounts of irrigation, especially in hot and dry weather conditions. As a legume, its nitrogen fixing capabilities mean it needs little fertiliser if you’ve prepared the soil beforehand. Whether grown in tropical gardens, containers on sun-drenched patios, or brought indoors in cooler climates, this vine becomes a conversation starter—and a source of pure joy each time you harvest your own color-changing flowers.

You’re not just growing a plant; you’re cultivating magic. Each seed you sow becomes a climbing vine of extraordinary beauty and utility—a living bridge between ancient botanical medicine and modern culinary alchemy. Watch your Double Pink Butterfly Pea unfurl its precious double blooms, knowing that what you’ve grown will infuse your kitchen, your teacup, and your garden with rare, radiant life.