How to Grow Peacock Purple
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Peacock Purple
Ipomoea purpurea 'Peacock Purple'
vinePeacock Purple is a stunning ornamental morning glory cultivar featuring deep purple flowers with striking white or pale markings that resemble a peacock's eye pattern. This fast-growing annual vine produces heart-shaped foliage and vibrant blooms that open in early morning and close by afternoon. It's an excellent choice for trellises, arbors, and vertical garden structures.
When should you plant Peacock Purple in your zone?
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Example Peacock Purple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Peacock Purple
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Peacock Purple
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Peacock Purple dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-11; annual in cooler regions, may perennialize in zones 9-11
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Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksSeeds sprout within 7-14 days revealing two oval cotyledons. First true heart-shaped leaves emerge shortly after.
Keep soil warm (65-75°F) and consistently moist. Provide bright light. Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksVigorous vine growth with abundant heart-shaped leaves. Plant develops climbing tendrils and extends rapidly.
Provide sturdy support structure early. Water regularly. Pinch tips if bushier growth is desired. Feed with balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
Flowering
6-12 weeks (depending on climate)Deep purple flowers with distinctive white or pale peacock-eye markings appear at leaf axils. Flowers open in early morning and close by midday.
Maintain consistent moisture during bloom. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Continue light fertilizing with lower nitrogen formula.
Seed Production & Senescence
4-8 weeks until frostAs temperatures cool or photoperiod shortens, flowering slows. Seed pods develop if flowers are left unpollinated. Plant gradually declines.
Save seed pods for next year if desired. Stop fertilizing. Allow plant to complete natural cycle.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick in early morning, use neem oil, or apply spinosad. Avoid pheromone traps near desirable plants.
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Increase humidity, spray with water, use insecticidal soap, or apply neem oil weekly.
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap, or release parasitic wasps.
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Spray with strong water stream, use insecticidal soap, or apply neem oil.
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Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply sulfur or potassium bicarbonate fungicide.
Uses
Vertical Garden Accent
OrnamentalPeacock Purple creates dramatic vertical interest on trellises, arbors, pergolas, and fences with its stunning purple blooms and rapid growth. Perfect for quick coverage of unsightly structures or creating living screens. [source]
Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeMorning glory flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making this vine valuable for supporting pollinator populations in gardens. [source]
Dried Flowers & Seed Pods
CraftFlowers can be pressed for floral arrangements, and decorative seed pods can be dried and used in crafts and dried arrangements. [source]
Living Privacy Screen
HouseholdFast-growing vines provide natural privacy screening and shade on patios, balconies, and garden areas during the growing season. [source]
Flower Garnish
CulinaryThe vibrant blooms make beautiful edible garnishes for salads and desserts, adding visual appeal and a delicate flavor to dishes. [source]
Harvest Tips
Morning glories are ornamental vines grown for their flowers rather than harvest. Enjoy blooms throughout the growing season by visiting the garden in early morning when flowers are fully open. To save seeds, allow some flowers to fade without deadheading; collect mature brown seed pods in fall before frost and dry indoors for 2-3 weeks before storing in cool, dry location.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Morning glories are called "Ipomoea" from the Greek words 'ips' (worm) and 'homoios' (resembling), referring to the worm-like seed pods.
- 🌱 The flowers open with precise timing in early morning and close by midday or during cloudy weather, following a natural circadian rhythm.
- 🌱 Some morning glory varieties have been used traditionally in Mesoamerican cultures for centuries, though Peacock Purple is a modern ornamental cultivar.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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