Tora Blue Painted Tongue is a stunning cultivar of Salpiglossis sinuata that brings theatrical elegance to summer and fall gardens. Rising 18 to 24 inches tall with a compact 12-inch spread, this frost-tender annual produces striking blue blooms from June through November in zones 9 to 11. From seed to first flower takes 98 to 112 days, making it worth starting indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date to maximize the long flowering season. The plant thrives in full sun with moderate water and well-draining soil, rewarding patient gardeners with weeks of intricate, jewel-toned flowers.
Full Sun
Moderate
9-11
24in H x 12in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
Tora Blue Painted Tongue delivers deep blue blooms across an impressively long season, typically flowering from early summer into late fall. The compact growth habit at 18 to 24 inches makes it easy to slip into borders, containers, or cutting gardens without overwhelming neighboring plants. Seeds require darkness to germinate, a quirk that actually makes starting them indoors foolproof if you follow the simple light-blocking method. Spacing just 8 inches apart allows you to create dense, full plantings that look lush and intentional rather than sparse.
Tora Blue Painted Tongue is grown primarily as an ornamental flowering plant, valued for its striking blue blooms in summer and fall gardens. The flowers work beautifully in cutting gardens, bringing color to fresh arrangements for 8 to 10 days with proper care. Its compact stature and long blooming window make it excellent for border planting, container displays, and layering in mixed beds where continuous color is desired.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date in pots kept at 70 to 75°F. Surface sow seeds and press them lightly into soil, then cover with a fine layer of vermiculite. Place black paper or a light-blocking cover over the pots, as Salpiglossis requires complete darkness to germinate. Remove the cover once seedlings emerge in 7 to 21 days, then provide bright light. Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting outdoors.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed and plants have developed several true leaves. Space plants 8 inches apart in a location receiving full sun. Harden off indoors by gradually exposing plants to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before final planting.
Direct sow seeds at the last frost date where you want them to grow. Cover seeds with black paper or cloth to exclude light, as they require darkness for germination. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged until seedlings emerge in 7 to 21 days. Thin seedlings to 8 inches apart once they develop true leaves.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.