How to grow Morning Glory?
- Latin Family: Convolvulaceae
- Ease of Growing: Easy
- Growing Type: Annual
There are several different species of Morning Glory, the vining types in the genus Ipomoea and the dwarf/bush types in the genus Convolvulus. These relatives of the sweet potato are usually grown for their showy trumpet shaped blooms in a variety of colors and patterns. Most are tender perennials grown as annuals. These plants shouldn't be confused with Convolvulus arvensis, which is an extremely noxious weed commonly known as Wild Morning Glory or Hedge Bindweed.
Morning Glory History
Different species of Morning Glory are native to different parts of the world. The vining types are native to tropical and subtropical parts of the world. Bush and dwarf types are native to the Mediterranean.
Soil Preference
- PH (min/max): 6.0 - 7.5
Morning Glories prefer well drained, [loam] soil of low to average fertility. Too much [nitrogen] in the soil can reduce blooms.
How to care for Morning Glory?
For continued blooms, and to prevent self-seeding, remove spent flower heads.
Water
Morning Glories prefer moist but never soggy soil.
Fertilizer
Morning Glories prefer soil with low to average fertility. Too much [nitrogen] in the soil can reduce blooms. There is no need to fertilize these plants in most soils.
Seeds
Seed Viability: 2 - 4 Years
Morning glories easily cross-pollinate, so if you want to save seeds its best to grow only one variety or isolate the varieties. The plants generally self-sow and can easily become a noxious pest, so its best to not let the seed pods ripen to the point that they release seeds. Remove the flower heads before the seed heads shatter and dry on a screen. Crush the seed heads to release the black seeds.
The seeds are poisonous, so they should kept out of the reach of kids and pets.
Light
Sun: min. 6 hours daily
Morning Glories do best in full sun but some variety may tolerate very partial shade.
Conditions:Warm, Hot
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Problems
Morning Glory Types
- Dwarf / Bush Morning Glory
- Vining Morning Glory
Dwarf and bush varieties of Morning Glory are part of the Convolvulus genus and are much smaller than vining Morning Glories.
Vining Morning Glories are a part of the Ipomoea genus and generally can climb to heights of at least 8'.
