How to Grow Morning Glory Flowers
Courtesy Amy NorrisBee on a morning glory flower
Common name: Morning glory
Scientific name: Ipomoea spp.
Zones: Annual
Light needs: Full sun
Morning glory vines are available in floral colors of pink, white, blue, magenta or purple. Old-fashioned charm and trumpet-shaped flowers make this quick-growing vine a favorite. A true sun worshipper, the petals unfurl every morning to greet the dawn and close later in the day.
The foliage—heart-shaped, bright green leaves among curlicue tendrils—is as charming and romantic as the flowers. Drape the lightweight vines over deck banisters, or train them up vertical structures such as obelisks.
These annual plants are easy to grow from seed. File or chip the outer coat of the seed with a sharp knife or razor blade and soak in warm water for a day or two before planting for best germination results. Morning glories do reseed readily, so plant them with awareness of their propensity to spread.
How to Save and Plant Morning Glory Seeds
Courtesy Tamara ZuscinAfter the flowers fade, you can save the seeds.
“How do you take seeds from plants like morning glory or foxglove?” asks Birds & Blooms reader Michele Palocy of Syracuse, New York.
Horticultural expert Melinda Myers says, “In both cases, wait for the flowers to fade and capsules to develop. Harvest the morning glory seeds when the capsule is dry. Break it open, remove the seeds and allow them to dry for several weeks. Harvest the dried seed capsules on foxgloves when the bottom capsules start to break open. If you wait too long, the capsules shatter and seeds are dispersed in the garden.
Dry the seeds thoroughly before storing. Place seeds in envelopes, label with the plant name and date, then store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. Start seeds indoors for earlier blooming in the garden. Morning glory seeds need to be soaked overnight in warm water or scarified by nicking the hard seed coat to encourage germination. Start the seeds as you would other flower and vegetable seeds.”
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About the Expert
Melinda Myers is the official gardening expert for Birds & Blooms. She is a TV/radio host, author and columnist who has written more than 20 gardening books. Melinda earned a master’s degree in horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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