Morning Glory
Ipomoea purpurea
Morning glory is a fast-growing twining vine whose trumpet-shaped flowers unfurl at dawn and close by afternoon, quickly covering fences and trellises.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate; water during dry spells
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Morning glory is a vigorous annual (or tender perennial) climbing vine grown for its profusion of trumpet-shaped flowers. As the name suggests, each bloom opens in the morning and fades by midday.
Native to the Americas, it twines rapidly and can cover supports in a single season. It self-seeds readily and in some regions is considered an invasive weed.
How to identify it
Identified by its twining stems and funnel-shaped flowers.
- Flowers: trumpet/funnel-shaped, 4-8 cm across, in blue, purple, pink, or white, often with a pale throat
- Leaves: heart-shaped, sometimes lobed, alternate
- Stems: slender, twining counterclockwise, climbing 2-3 m
- Seeds: small, hard, black, in dry capsules
Care & growing
An easy, fast vine that thrives on neglect.
- Light: full sun for best flowering
- Water: moderate; tolerates some drought once established
- Soil: average, well-drained; rich soil reduces blooming
- Feeding: minimal; over-feeding causes leafy growth
- Propagation: direct-sow seed after frost; nick or soak hard seeds to speed germination
Habitat & origin
Native to Mexico and Central America, now naturalized throughout warm and temperate regions worldwide.
It grows along roadsides, fences, fields, and disturbed ground. In gardens it is trained up trellises, arbors, and strings, though it can become weedy if seeds spread.
Frequently asked questions
Why do morning glory flowers close in the afternoon?
Each bloom is short-lived, opening at dawn and closing by midday; new flowers open daily through the season.
How do I get morning glory seeds to sprout?
Nick the hard seed coat or soak the seeds overnight before sowing to improve germination.
Will morning glory come back next year?
It is grown as an annual but reseeds prolifically, often returning on its own each spring.
Morning Glory guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Morning Glory.
