How to Grow Salmon Glory

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Salmon Glory

Ipomoea × multifida hybrid or similar cultivar

vine

Salmon Glory is a stunning ornamental morning glory vine known for its large, salmon-pink to coral-colored flowers with deeply lobed petals that create a star-like appearance. This vigorous climbing vine produces abundant blooms throughout the growing season and is prized for adding tropical flair to gardens, trellises, and containers.

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Example Salmon Glory timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Salmon Glory

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Salmon Glory

    Around Jun 16

    ≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Salmon Glory dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily for best flowering
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Water: Water regularly during growing season; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in winter. Drought-tolerant once established but performs better with regular moisture.
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Spacing: 12-18 inches
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Days to maturity: 60-90 days to first flowers
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Planting depth: 0.25-0.5 inches for seeds; plant transplants at same depth as container

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy soil
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost perlite or sand for drainage organic matter

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 9b-11; grown as annual in cooler zones

9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Young plants emerge with simple cotyledons and first true leaves appearing heart-shaped

Provide warm soil (70-75°F), maintain consistent moisture, and ensure bright indirect light. Thin seedlings to appropriate spacing.

2

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Vine rapidly elongates with twining stems and increasingly lobed leaves characteristic of the cultivar

Provide sturdy support structure (trellis, arbor, or stakes). Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer. Pinch back tips to encourage bushier growth if desired.

3

Flowering

8-16 weeks or until frost

Large, salmon to coral-pink funnel-shaped flowers with deeply lobed petals appear, typically opening in early morning

Maintain consistent watering and fertilize with lower-nitrogen, higher-phosphorus fertilizer to promote blooms. Remove spent flowers to encourage continuous flowering.

4

Seed Development

3-4 weeks after flowering

After flowers fade, small round seed pods develop if flowers are pollinated

Allow pods to mature on vine if you want to collect seeds for next season. Otherwise, deadhead spent flowers to redirect energy to new blooms.

5

Dormancy/End of Season

Varies by zone; 4-8 weeks

Vine slows growth as temperatures cool; foliage may yellow in fall

In zones 9b-10, may regrow from roots next season; in cooler zones, plan to replant annuals. Clean up plant material to prevent pest overwintering.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Avoid planting near:

Bindweed (can cross-pollinate or compete) black walnut trees (juglone toxicity)

Common Pests

  • Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; increase humidity; remove heavily infested leaves

  • Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural predators

  • Spray with strong water stream; apply insecticidal soap; use neem oil; introduce ladybugs

  • Hand-pick in early morning; use pheromone traps away from plants; apply neem oil

  • Prune heavily infested stems; apply horticultural oil in dormant season; use insecticidal soap

Uses

🏠

Garden Screen & Vertical Beauty

Household

Use Salmon Glory to create living screens on trellises, arbors, or fences for privacy and ornamental appeal. The vine's vigorous growth and abundant salmon-pink blooms provide year-round structure and color in tropical and warm-temperate gardens. [source]

🎨

Cut Flower Arrangements

Craft

The unique star-shaped salmon flowers are excellent for fresh floral arrangements and add exotic texture. Cut stems in early morning for longest vase life (3-5 days). [source]

🦋

Pollinator Attraction

Wildlife

The abundant nectar-rich flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees throughout the blooming season. This makes it an excellent choice for wildlife gardens and pollinator corridors. [source]

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Container & Hanging Basket Growing

Household

Salmon Glory can be grown in large containers or hanging baskets with sturdy support, allowing gardeners in cooler zones to enjoy this tropical vine seasonally on patios and balconies. [source]

Harvest Tips

Salmon Glory is grown primarily for ornamental flowers rather than harvest. Flowers open in the morning and typically close by afternoon. Cut stems for fresh arrangements in early morning when flowers just open. For seed collection, allow pods to dry on the vine until brown and papery, then collect and store in cool, dry conditions.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Salmon Glory is related to the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae), known for flowers that open in early morning and close by afternoon—a behavior called nyctinasty.
  • 🌱 The deeply lobed petals resemble a coral star, inspiring names like 'Cardinal Climber' in related species; the salmon color is rare among morning glories and highly prized by gardeners.
  • 🌱 Morning glory seeds have been used ceremonially and medicinally for centuries in various cultures, though Salmon Glory is grown purely for ornamental purposes.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

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