How to Grow Morning Glory

Morning Glory

Ipomoea purpurea

vine

Morning glories are fast-growing annual or perennial vines known for their vibrant trumpet-shaped flowers that typically open in early morning and close by afternoon. They climb vigorously and are popular for covering trellises, arbors, and fences with abundant foliage and colorful blooms. Many species exist within the Ipomoea genus, offering flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, red, and white.

Looking for a specific variety?

Heavenly Blue Scarlett O'Hara Moonlight Sunrise Serenade Grandpa Ott Flying Saucer

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (more sun promotes more flowers)

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Water: Moderate watering; allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Once established, fairly drought-tolerant. Avoid overwatering, which promotes leafy growth at the expense of flowers.

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Spacing: 6-12 inches apart inches

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Days to maturity: 50-70 days to first flowers

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Planting depth: 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep; soak seeds 24 hours or nick seed coat before planting

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy soil

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure Perlite or sand for drainage Avoid excessive nitrogen

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Most productive in zones 3-11; perennial species prefer zones 9-11

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

Growth Stages

Seedling

1-2 weeks

Tiny seedlings emerge with two cotyledons and develop their first true leaves. Growth is slow initially.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright indirect light. Thin to proper spacing once true leaves appear.

Vegetative/Vine Establishment

3-4 weeks

Rapid vine growth with climbing stems and increasingly large heart-shaped leaves. Plant develops strong root system and begins winding around support structures.

Provide sturdy trellis or support immediately. Water moderately; reduce fertilizer to avoid excessive foliage. Guide vines to desired location as they grow.

Budding

1-2 weeks

Flower buds appear along the vine at leaf axils. Buds are typically closed and greenish.

Maintain consistent watering schedule. Do not overwater. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer. Full sun exposure critical at this stage.

Flowering

8-12 weeks (until first frost)

Trumpet-shaped flowers open in early morning, displaying vibrant colors. Flowers close by afternoon. Continuous blooming occurs from this stage until frost.

Deadheading extends bloom. Maintain regular watering during hot spells. Continue full sun exposure. Monitor for pests.

Seed Production

2-3 weeks per pod

Flowers fade and are replaced by small round seed pods. Pods mature from green to brown and become papery.

Allow pods to fully mature and dry on vine if saving seeds. Let pods split naturally or harvest when brown and place in paper bag to dry.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Cosmos Zinnias Marigolds Sunflowers Nasturtiums Borage

Avoid planting near:

Beans Peas Cabbage Broccoli Fennel

Common Pests

Hand-pick in early morning, use pheromone traps, or apply insecticidal soap. Neem oil for heavy infestations.
Spray with water to dislodge, increase humidity, use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe.
Use yellow sticky traps, spray neem oil, or apply insecticidal soap. Encourage natural predators.
Remove affected leaves, reduce plant stress through proper watering, apply spinosad if necessary.
Spray with strong water jet, use insecticidal soap, neem oil, or introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs.

Uses

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Garden trellis coverage

Craft

Morning glories are ideal for covering trellises, arbors, fences, and pergolas with dense foliage and colorful flowers. They create living screens for privacy and shade in just one growing season. [source]

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Edible flowers

Culinary

Certain Ipomoea species produce edible flowers that can garnish salads or desserts. The flowers have a slightly sweet flavor and add visual appeal to dishes. [source]

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Traditional herbal uses

Medicinal

In traditional medicine systems, some morning glory species (particularly Ipomoea alba) have been used to support digestive health and circulation. Seeds contain compounds that have been studied for various properties. [source]

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Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

Morning glory flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making them valuable for supporting pollinator populations in the garden. The abundance of blooms provides continuous nectar sources throughout summer and fall. [source]

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Natural dye source

Household

Morning glory flowers can be used to create natural plant-based dyes for textiles and crafts. The flowers produce blue and purple pigments that have been historically used in dyeing. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Morning glories are ornamental vines grown for flowers, not harvested for food. To collect seeds, allow flower pods to mature fully on the vine until they turn brown and papery (typically 2-3 weeks after flowering). Harvest pods in fall before heavy frost, split open, and extract black seeds. Store seeds in cool, dry place for next season.

Fun Facts

🌱 Morning glories earned their name because their flowers open in the early morning and close by afternoon, though some varieties remain open longer on cloudy days.
🌱 The seeds contain compounds that have psychoactive properties, which has led to their use and legal restrictions in various jurisdictions; some varieties like Ipomoea tricolor contain lysergic acid amide (LSA).
🌱 Morning glories can grow extremely rapidly, sometimes adding 6-12 inches of vine growth per week during peak growing season, making them excellent for quick garden transformation.

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