Ipomoea

( eye - poh - MEE - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering vines needs full sun and moderate to regular water, and is commonly known as Morning Glory. Take care when planting these in your garden as some of these flowers' seeds are toxic. There are many varieties in this genus, including edibles to container plants to those that twist and climb, providing great trellis coverage. Morning Glory vines can be used as climbing plants or as groundcovers. The flowers can also be used in fresh arrangements. 

Ipomoea Species and Varietals

The genus Ipomoea is a member of the plant family Convolvulaceae, and includes 644 distinct species. The best growing zones for Morning Glory vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Ipomoea alba (Calonyction aculeatum) (Moonflower, Moon Vine, Tropical White Morning Glory)
This perennial grows well in zones 15-17, 23, 24, H1 and H2 and can be grown as an annual in all other zones. It quickly reaches 20-30 feet and provides great shade for an arbor, trellis, or fence. Leaves are shaped like hearts and blooms open in the evening, staying open into nighttime, hence the common name Moonflower. Flowers are white. This plant needs heat to bloom well.

Ipomoea amnicola (Redcenter Morning-Glory)
These vines are native to Mexico, but have naturalized in the United States, mostly in Arkansas, Missouri and Texas. It is also now found in various areas of South America. They typically grow in tilled fields and other areas with disturbed soils such as along roadsides. Stems reach between 16 and 80 inches long when plants are mature. Flowers are pinkish-white with dark magenta centers, and bloom in spring and summertime. Foliage is green and heart-shaped.

Ipomoea aquatica (Water Spinach, Kangkung, Swamp Cabbage, Konxincia, Ong Choy, Tung Choi, Vallal, Rau Muon, Burma Saag, Pak Bung, Gonsimchae)
These plants are semi-aquatic and are native to tropical areas of southeast Asia, where they are widely cultivated as crops. These plants grow abundantly along waterways and require little to no care. Stems reach up to between 7-10 feet long and stems are hollow, able to float on the water's surface. 

Ipomoea arborescens (Tree Morning Glory, Cazahuatl, Cazahuate)
These plants are native to Mexico, and form semi-succulent flowering trees. They grow rapidly to reach up to between 10 and 50 feet tall, and produce green foliage and white flowers with dark centers. Bloom time is in late fall and winter in the plant's native range.

Ipomoea barbatisepala (Canyon Morning Glory)
This species of Ipomoea is native to the southwestern United States and western Mexico, and produces blue-green deeply lobed leaves. Flowers appear from July through December and are blue (rarely white) with yellow centers. 
Ipomoea batatas (Sweet Potato Vine, Tuberous Morning Glory)
This perennial grows from tuberous roots and does best in zones 13, 21-24, H1 and H2, or as an indoor/outdoor plant in other zones. These plants have trailing habits, and are attractive in hanging baskets. Take care when planting them, as they can overwhelm their neighbors. Ornamental varieties are outlined below:
'Ace of Spades'
Deep purple, heart-shaped leaves.
'Blackie'
With purple-black leaves.
'Marguerite'
Golden-green foliage.
'Tricolor' ('Pink Frost')
Green leaves have white and pink variegation.
'Midnight Lace' and 'Emerald Lace'
These two varieties, with black and green leaves (respectively), have deeply lobed foliage. (Pictured: 'Emerald Lace')
Sweet Caroline Strain
These plants have foliage in bronze, green red, and purple. 

Ipomoea cairica (Mile-a-Minute Vine, Messina Creeper, Cairo Morning Glory, Coast Morning Glory, Railroad Creeper)
These plants are known for their palmately divided leaves and large, showy white to pink-lavender colored flowers. The species is native to the Mediterranean and tropical Africa, and can reach up to 33 feet long. Blooms occur year-round, but are most profuse in spring and summertime.

Ipomoea coccinea (Red Morning Glory, Redstar, Mexican Morning Glory)
These fast-growing, climbing and twisting vines produce heart-shaped and trilobal leaves. These vines are native to tropical America, and typically grow in disturbed soils, along roads and fence lines, in old fields and other waste areas, and along stream banks.

Ipomoea hederacea (Ivy-Leaved Morning Glory, Kaladana)
This species is native to tropical areas of the Americas, and forms a climbing vine with green foliage and blue to rose-purple flowers with white throats, and bloom from summer through late fall. 

Ipomoea imperati (Beach Morning-Glory)
This species of morning glory is unique in that its seeds disperse by floating in seawater. It is found on the sandy shores of every continent except for Antarctica. Flowers are white, and plants themselves are relatively small with green-reddish somewhat fleshy foliage.

Ipomoea indica (Ipomoea acuminata, Ipomoea learii) (Blue Dawn Flower, Oceanblue Morning Glory, Koali Awa, Blue Morning Glory)
This species is a perennial plant that grows well in zones 8, 9, 12-24, H1 and H2. It grows vigorously to 15-30 feet and has dark green heart shaped leaves. Funnel-shaped flowers appear in spring and fall that open bright blue and fade to pink-purple by the end of the day. Great for covering large swaths of banks or walls, or for hiding outdoor structures or HVAC units. Can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Ipomoea lacunosa (Whitestar, White Morning Glory, Pitted Morning Glory)
This species is native to the United States, and forms a vining, climbing plant that reaches up to 6.5 feet long. Foliage is green with purple margins, and flowers are white and small.

Ipomoea lobata (Mina lobata) (Fire Vine, Spanish Flag)
These vines reach up to 16 feet long, and are often cultivated as annuals in temperate regions, though they are perennials. Flowers open red and fade to yellow, cream and white, blooming from the bottom of the inflorescence upwards. Hardy to 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 

​Ipomoea nil (Morning Glory, Picotee Morning Glory, Ivy-Leaf Morning Glory, Japanese Morning Glory)
This species is an annual in all zones, and blooms in summer. Varieties include the Imperial Japanese strain (with larger flowers), 'Scarlett O'Hara' (with rosey-red flowers), 'Chocolate' (with buff pink flowers) and those in the Early Call strain, which has a variety of mixed colors, useful where summers are shorter.

Ipomoea pes-caprae (Bayhops, Bay-Hops, Beach Morning Glory, Railroad Vine)
These creeping vines are native to beaches and areas with salty air and tropical climates. The species forms a prostrate perennial vine that helps to stabilize sandy landscapes, and produces green foliage. Flowers are light pink with a darker pink star patterning on their interiors.

Ipomoea pes-tigridis (Tiger Foot Ipomoea, Tiger Foot Morning Glory)
​These plants produce green palmate leaves with between 5 and 9 lobes each, and light pink to white flowers with pink to magenta throats. Individual plants reach up to between 3 and 10 feet long, and flowers bloom towards the end of the day, withering up by the following morning.

​Ipomoea purpurea (Common Morning Glory, Tall Morning-Glory, Purple Morning Glory)
This species is grown as an annual in all zones, and reaches 6-9 feet tall and has blue, purple, or white flowers. Varieties include 'Grandpa Otts' (pictured; deep purple flowers have a deep red central star), and those in the Carnival strain (white flowers marked with pink or purple). This species of Ipomoea is native to Mexico and Central America.

​Ipomoea quamoclit (Quamoclit pennata) (Cypress Vine, Cardinal Climber, Hummingbird Vine, Star of Bethlehem, Star Glory)
This species is an annual that grows well in all zones, and reaches 20 feet with summertime flowers that are scarlet. Sometimes, flowers are white, but that coloring is rare. The flowers will attract birds to your garden.

Ipomoea tricolor (Morning Glory)
This annual species does well in all zones and grows vigorously to 10-15 feet and has large, heart-shaped leaves and single or double flowers in blue, lavender, pink, red or white. Most flowers open in early morning and close up by midday. This species has toxic seeds that cause stomach upset and psychosis. A popular variety is 'Heavenly Blue' (pictured), which has sky blue flowers with yellow throats.

Caring for Ipomoea​

The seeds of Morning Glory plants need to be nicked or soaked overnight before they will be ready to be planted. Sow seeds in place after the danger of frost has passed, or begin seeds indoors. Set out plants 6-8 inches apart once they are ready to be transplanted to the garden. Alternatively, grow the plant from a seedling purchased at a nursery or garden center. Make sure to plant these vines in full sun to partial shade. They should ideally be receiving between 4 and 6 hours of direct light each day, and will flower and produce the best foliage the more sun they get. Some afternoon protection from sun is needed in particularly hot areas to avoid over-stressing the plant or foliage sunburn. They prefer well-draining soil with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0. If local soils are compacted, do not drain well, or are particularly poor in nutrients, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic matter or compost before installing. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant after installation, ensuring that mulch stays at least a few inches away from the stems. This will increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain a constant soil temperature. 

Keep the soil moist while plants establish a strong root system; mature plants are considered somewhat drought-tolerant, but they do appreciate consistent moisture during the growth and flowering season. Foliage can be trimmed back at any time of the year to control growth and remove dead, damaged and diseased stems and leaves. Doing so will keep the plant at its healthiest form. Pinch young plants to encourage a bushy habit to form. Fertilize Clematis plants yearly for the best show of blooms with a dressing of organic compost applied around the base of the vine. Work the compost into the soil a bit, and then replace the mulch around the base.​

Propagation

Ipomoea can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Morning Glory Vine, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Ipomoea by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Ipomoea by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seed pods on Ipomoea plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
  3. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  4. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Morning Glory seed pods hold many seeds, and dry up and turn brown when mature.
Ipomoea seeds are typically relatively small, and can be anywhere from black to brown to light tan in color.

Problems and Pests

Take care when planting Ipomoea flowering vines in the landscape, as they are considered to be highly invasive in some areas. Check with local authorities before installing these plants.

Ipomoea vines typically suffer from the following pests and diseases in the home garden:
  • Sweet Potato Weevil
  • Aphids
  • Caterpillars
  • Flea Beetles
  • Loopers
  • Wireworms
For more information on these pests and diseases, including how to take care of them if they pop up, consult the following pages:
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Gallery

Sweet Potato Vine is interplanted here with Nasturtium, Ageratum, and Scaevola.
Some of the species listed above can have a very delicate look to them.
Ipomoea species have variously shaped foliage.
Morning glory vines are common sights in home gardens.
Ipommoea lobata produces inflorescences of blooms that mature from the bottom up, producing a multicolored effect.
Here, Ipomoea vines are used in a modern-style planter featuring red-foliaged Colocasia and Begonia.
The flowers of Ipomoea plants are pollinated by many insects and animal species.
Sweet Potato Vines are popular additions to hanging baskets and planter boxes.
As evidenced in this photograph, Ipomoea vines can become invasive due to reseeding.

Videos

All about Blue Dawn Flower.
How to care for Morning Glories.

Resources

Ipomoea purpurea
Wikipedia: List of Ipomoea Species
Wikipedia: Ipomoea
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 375 - 376, Ipomoea
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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