Torenia (Wishbone Flower) in Zone 4a & 4b
Torenia fournieri
Yes, torenia (wishbone flower) grows in zones 4a and 4b. Start seeds indoors Mar 6–Mar 13 and plant out May 29–Jun 5.
When to plant torenia (wishbone flower) in zone 4b
Zones 4a and 4b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Mar 6–Mar 13 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 29–Jun 5 |
| Estimated bloom | Aug 17–Aug 24 (~80 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1.5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 4b
These go outside within two weeks of torenia (wishbone flower) in zone 4b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumMay 22–May 29
- MarigoldMay 22–May 29
- Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)May 29–Jun 5
- Bee BalmMay 29–Jun 5
- Black-Eyed Susan VineMay 29–Jun 5
- Cleome (Spider Flower)May 29–Jun 5
Torenia earns its square by doing something most annuals cannot: flowering in shade, in July, without stopping.
How torenia (wishbone flower) fits zone 4's season
Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. Torenia (wishbone flower) needs about 80 days from transplant to first bloom.
Torenia (Wishbone Flower) planting windows in every zone
Zone 4b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Mar 21–Mar 28 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | Sep 1–Sep 8 |
| 4a & 4b (your zone) | Mar 6–Mar 13 | May 29–Jun 5 | Aug 17–Aug 24 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 1–Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | Aug 12–Aug 19 |
| 6a & 6b | Feb 14–Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | Jul 28–Aug 4 |
| 7a & 7b | Jan 30–Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | Jul 13–Jul 20 |
| 8a & 8b | Jan 14–Jan 21 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Jun 27–Jul 4 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 7–Dec 14 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | May 20–May 27 |
| 10a & 10b | Nov 21–Nov 28 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | May 4–May 11 |
| 11a & 11b | Oct 23–Oct 30 | Jan 15–Jan 22 | Apr 5–Apr 12 |
Bloom dates are about 80 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for torenia (wishbone flower).
Where to buy torenia seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's torenia seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing torenia (wishbone flower)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 4b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Torenia (Wishbone Flower) in USDA zone 4b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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