Yes, it is very vigorous and often grows as a volunteer in gardens.

Hand pull it before it sets seed to prevent it from taking over.

Plant guide

Asiatic dayflower.

Commelina communis

Pronounced kom-eh-LEE-nah kom-YOO-nis

Also known as Asian Dayflower, Asiatic Dayflower, Common Dayflower, Dayflower

The Asiatic dayflower is a charming, sprawling plant known for its unique, bright blue blossoms. It often grows in moist, disturbed areas and can spread quite quickly in the right conditions. You will find that each delicate flower lasts for only a single day.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Annual herb
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 2 to 4 days
Mature size: 1 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Mid summer to early autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist, as this plant loves water and will wilt if it dries out too much. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the soil has become too dry or the plant needs more nutrients. It is a vigorous grower, so feel free to trim it back if it starts taking over its space.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back leggy stems to encourage a bushier shape.
Repotting: Since it is typically grown as an annual, repotting is rarely necessary.
Soil: Moist, fertile, well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 5 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%

Safety

People: This plant is generally considered non-toxic but is not intended for consumption.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The plant is not inherently dangerous, but children should be discouraged from eating garden plants.
Contact allergens: Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from handling the stems.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable reports of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: While young leaves are sometimes consumed in some cultures, they should be avoided due to potential accumulation of nitrates and lack of nutritional data.

How to identify it

Bright blue petals with white centers
Lance shaped, alternate green leaves
Fleshy, branching stems
Heart shaped green spathe bracts

Height: 0.2 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.9m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: blue, white, 1 to 3cm
Fruit: brown, autumn

Problems to watch for

Aphids · Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant juices.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your asiatic dayflower from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring

Plant it in areas where you do not mind it spreading, as it can quickly outcompete smaller, less vigorous neighbors.

Grows well with

Hostas · They share similar moisture requirements and provide a nice textural contrast.
Ferns · They thrive in the same shady, moist conditions.

Similar species

Virginia Dayflower · It is a native North American relative that looks very similar.

Science

Family: Commelinaceae
Genus: Commelina
Order: Commelinales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Eastern Asia
Conservation: It is considered an invasive weed in many regions outside its native range.

It thrives in moist, disturbed soils, often colonizing roadsides and garden beds.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ground cover, wildflower garden

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it easy to grow?: Yes, it is very vigorous and often grows as a volunteer in gardens.
How do I control it?: Hand pull it before it sets seed to prevent it from taking over.

Where the name comes from

The genus name honors the Dutch botanists Jan and Kaspar Commelin, while the specific epithet communis means common.

Good to know

The flowers have two large blue petals and one small white petal.
It is often called dayflower because the blooms last only a single day.
It spreads aggressively by seed and rooting stems.

Keep your asiatic dayflower growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.