Moonlight and Petals: How the Moon Affects Flowers (Yes, really!)

Hey local florist supporters and plant lovers!

Ever find yourself outside at night, catching a glimpse of your garden under the moonlight and wondering if your flowers feel it too? I used to think moonlight was just a poetic backdrop for a nighttime stroll—but it turns out, there’s more going on. The moon apparently does affect flowers in a few cool ways.

The Moon’s Subtle Pull

We all know the moon affects tides, right? Even the liquid in our bodies. The explanation for this is gravitational pull and our planet’s rotation. While flowers aren’t exactly experiencing tidal currents during a bulge, some gardeners swear that this same pull influences how plants grow, how they absorb water, and even how their seeds sprout.

Lunar gardening, so-called, is based on the idea that different phases of the moon can subtly encourage different types of growth.

Phases and Flowers

Here’s a quick breakdown:

** New Moon to Full Moon (waxing): Sap flow increases. It’s said to be a great time to plant things that grow above ground—like flowering plants. Some claim that flowers planted during this phase tend to bloom bigger and brighter. (No scientific proffe, but hey, worth a mention and try!)

** Full Moon to New Moon (waning): The energy is moving downward. This phase is better for root crops, pruning, or letting the soil rest.

So, if you’re planning to plant those zinnias or cosmos, some lunar gardeners would advise doing it only during the waxing moon.

Moonlight & Nocturnal Bloomers

Now let’s talk about flowers that love the moon: night-blooming ones. Moonflowers, evening primrose, jasmine, among others. These beauties open up when the sun goes down, often guided by moonlight. Super important pollination by moths as well, since many moths are nocturnal while butterflies are not.

Moonlight might not be strong, but plants do detect light levels, even at night or on cloudy days. These nocturnal bloomers are biologically attuned to blooming in lower light conditions, often using the moon’s glow as a natural spotlight to attract nighttime pollinator moths and other night-loving insects.

Romance or Science

Is the moon-to-flower connection more romantic than scientific? Perhaps. But there’s no harm in musing on this interaction or in syncing with nature’s rhythms. Gardening by the moon is an ancient practice, I assume, and while science hasn’t caught up to prove every claim, many philo-herbists swear by it. Honestly, who doesn’t love a little extra magic in their garden routine? After all, flowers are a kind of magic in themselves!

How cool would you sound if you said, “I plant my dahlias under the waxing moon.” It’s the statement of a botanical wizard for sure.

It’s fun to think about how some big rock so far away could be shaping the lives of plants in our backyards. So next time you’re admiring your blooms under the stars—at least the one’s that don’t close up at night (like poppies and anemones), which is a whole other topic of conversation I’d love to understand more about—give a little nod to the moon. She might just be helping your garden glow.

Happy growing!