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Morning Glory

Ipomoea purpurea

Flower

Morning glory is a fast-growing annual vine with vivid trumpet flowers that open in the morning and fade by afternoon. It provides rapid vertical cover for trellises and fences while attracting hummingbirds and butterflies, though it can self-seed aggressively.

Growing Conditions

Sunlight

Full Sun

Water Needs

Low

Soil

Well-draining loam; pH 6.0–7.5; thrives in poor soil

Spacing

6 inches at base of trellis or support

Days to Maturity

65–75 days from sowing to first flower

Growing Zones

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Thrives in USDA Zones 3–11

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Keep Away From

No known antagonists

When to Plant

  • Direct Sow

    After last frost; nick or soak seeds overnight to speed germination

  • Harvest

    Deadhead spent flowers to reduce aggressive self-seeding

Organic Growing Tips

  • Soak or nick seeds before sowing — morning glory has an extremely hard seed coat that slows germination.

  • Deadhead diligently to prevent excessive self-seeding, which can become invasive in warm climates.

  • Grow up corn stalks or sunflower stems as a living trellis in the Three Sisters garden.

  • Morning glory shade from vertical coverage provides welcome relief for lettuce and spinach beneath during summer heat.

Common Pests

  • Aphids
  • Leaf Miners
  • Spider Mites

All pest management in Garden uses safe, organic, non-toxic methods only. No synthetic pesticides, ever.