Butterfly Flower ‘Angel Wings’ forms compact, branching plants covered with small, orchid-like flowers. The blooms appear in mixed shades of pink, rose, purple, red, white and yellow, often with attractive spots and contrasting markings.
Native to Chile and Argentina, this graceful flowering annual develops finely cut green leaves beneath its colourful flower clusters. It grows well in pots, borders and grouped cool-season displays.
Why Gardeners Love It
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Orchid-Like Flowers: Produces beautifully marked blooms on slender stems.
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Mixed Colours: Includes several bright and pastel shades.
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Many Blooms: Healthy plants develop clusters of flowers above the foliage.
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Compact Growth: Fits easily into pots, borders and small gardens.
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Cool-Season Beauty: Flowers well while temperatures remain mild.
Best Conditions
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Germination: Usually 10–21 days
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Germination temperature: Around 15–21°C
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Growing temperature: Around 10–21°C
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Sunlight: Around 4–6 hours, preferably morning sunlight
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Pot size: A 10–12-inch pot
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Spacing: About 8–12 inches between plants
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Plant height: Usually around 12–18 inches
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Soil: Light, fertile and well-draining mix
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First flowers: Usually around 12–16 weeks
In Lahore, Faisalabad, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, sow from September to November. In hotter areas such as Karachi and southern Punjab, sow from October to December after the strongest heat has eased. In colder northern and hilly areas, sow from March to April after severe frost has passed.
How to Sow
- Fill a seed tray or small pots with fine, moist seed starter mix.
- Scatter the small seeds thinly over the surface.
- Press them gently and cover with a very thin layer of the mix.
- Mist carefully and keep the tray in a bright location with indirect light.
- Transplant after the seedlings develop 3–4 true leaves.
Plant Care
Keep the soil lightly moist while the plants are establishing. Allow the surface to begin drying before watering again, and never leave the roots in standing water. Pinch the growing tip when the seedlings are around 3–4 inches tall to encourage more branches.
Mix a small amount of Vermicompost into the soil before transplanting. Avoid excessive feeding because it can produce weak, leafy growth with fewer flowers.
Check the new growth and flower buds for aphids, whiteflies, thrips and spider mites. Remove badly damaged growth and spray Neem Oil on affected areas, including the undersides of the leaves.
Local Gardener Tips
- Protect the young plants from strong wind and heavy rain.
- Provide morning sunlight and afternoon shade as the weather becomes warmer.
- Leave enough space between plants for airflow.
- Water near the soil instead of wetting the leaves and flowers.
- Add a small support if the flower stems begin leaning.
Flowering
The first flowers usually appear around 12–16 weeks after sowing. Remove faded flower clusters regularly to keep the plant tidy and encourage additional buds.
The display lasts longest during cool, mild weather. Flowering may slow when temperatures rise, and prolonged summer heat can cause the plant to decline. The patterned blooms can also be cut with short stems for small indoor arrangements.
FAQs
Why are the seedlings falling over near the soil?
This is usually caused by damping-off disease in wet, poorly ventilated conditions. Remove affected seedlings, reduce watering and improve airflow around the tray.
Why are the flower buds drying before opening?
Hot weather, dry soil or thrips feeding inside the buds can cause them to dry. Maintain steady moisture, provide afternoon shade and inspect the buds for tiny insects.
Will Butterfly Flower return next year?
It is generally grown as an annual. New seedlings may occasionally appear if some seed pods are allowed to mature, but this is not guaranteed.
Common names: Butterfly Flower, Angel Wings, Schizanthus, Poor Man’s Orchid, Fringe Flower
