Morning glories, Ipomoea purpurea, are quick-growing vines, popular for their colorful flowers that open each morning from summer until the first frost of fall.
Reaching between six and 10 feet in height, this fairly aggressive plant can take over a garden if you aren’t careful.
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Fortunately, they are easy to grow in containers, which can be particularly advantageous if you are worried about them spreading.
Morning glories are beautiful, fast-growing annual vines that add vibrant color to gardens, fences, arbors, and more Their trumpet-shaped flowers come in shades of pink, purple, blue, white, and bi-colors However, their aggressive growth habit can sometimes cause them to take over garden beds. This is why many gardeners choose to grow morning glories in pots – it keeps them contained.
The Benefits of Growing Morning Glories in Pots
There are several advantages to pot culture when it comes to morning glories
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Pots prevent morning glories from becoming invasive in garden beds. These vigorous vines can overwhelm neighboring plants if left unchecked. Containers keep them under control.
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Pots allow flexibility in placement. You can situate morning glory containers on patios, decks, next to arbors or fences, or wherever you want a pop of color.
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When grown in pots, it’s easy to provide morning glories with the vertical support they need to climb. Simply set a trellis in the container or position it next to a railing, fence, etc.
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Potted morning glories are highly portable. It’s simple to move containers to optimal sun exposure or bring them indoors for the winter.
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Morning glories make excellent container plants. As long as their needs are met, they thrive in pots. And there are even compact varieties bred specifically for container growing.
Choosing the Right Container
When selecting a pot for morning glories larger is better. This allows ample room for growth and reduces the need for frequent watering.
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For one plant, select a container at least 12-16 inches wide. For multiples, go larger.
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Make sure pots have drainage holes to prevent soggy soil. Elevating pots helps drainage.
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Use lightweight plastic or resin pots. Morning glories get heavy as they grow, so avoid easily tipped ceramic pots.
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Consider self-watering pots or pots with built-in trellises for easier care.
Provide Vertical Support
Morning glories are climbers and need something sturdy to wrap their tendrils around. There are a few options for providing vertical support:
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Use a pot trellis or plant support designed for containers. Many types are available to fit different sized pots.
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Position pots next to fences, railings, poles or other structures. Plants will grow right up them.
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Grow morning glory vines up strings, ribbons, or mesh attached to a stake in the pot.
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For hanging pots, morning glory vines will gracefully trail over the sides.
Choosing the Right Soil Mix
Proper soil is key when growing morning glories in containers. A lightweight, fast-draining soil mix prevents wet feet.
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Use a commercial potting soil blended for containers. Or make your own mix.
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Add perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage. About 20-30% is ideal.
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Soilless mixes like peat and coconut coir work well. Avoid heavy garden soil.
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Add a bit of compost or worm castings for nutrients.
Planting and Care
With the right setup, growing morning glories in pots is easy. Follow these tips for success:
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Start seeds indoors 2-4 weeks before your last frost date. Soak seeds overnight prior to planting.
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Sow seeds 1/4″ deep in pots. Cover lightly with soil. Keep soil moist until sprouted.
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Place pots in full sun – at least 6 hours per day. Bring indoors or monitor soil moisture if temps exceed 85°F.
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Water thoroughly when the top 1-2″ of soil becomes dry. Don’t let pots completely dry out.
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Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer once vines begin actively growing.
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Remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Pinch back tips to prevent uncontrolled growth.
Overwintering Morning Glories
Morning glories are not frost hardy. But there are a couple ways to overwinter container plants:
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Bring pots indoors before frost. Cut back plants to 6″ and reduce watering. Place in a sunny window and wait for spring growth.
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Take cuttings in late summer. Root them indoors over winter to start new plants next spring.
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Allow plants to die after frost but leave roots intact. Replant in spring.
Great Varieties for Containers
While all morning glories can be grown in pots, some compact types are best suited for containers:
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‘Heavenly Blue’ – Vibrant blue blooms on vines reaching 10 feet. A classic variety.
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‘Scarlett O’Hara’ – Red flowers on vigorous, 15-foot vines. Does well in pots.
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‘Grandpa Ott’ – Deep purple with red star-shaped centers. Flowers stay open longer. 8 feet tall.
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‘Chocolate’ – Unique brown morning glory. Grows 6-8 feet, smaller than most.
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‘Rose Silk Serenade’ – Silky pink blooms. Dwarf habit, only grows to 5 feet. Great for containers.
With the right conditions, morning glories will flourish in pots on your patio or deck. Contain them with these simple tips to enjoy their beauty all season long. Let them lend vertical appeal wherever you need a burst of flower power!
Advantages of Container Growing
I love growing morning glories! They come in all sorts of colors, can add vertical dimension to the garden when trained up trellises, and pollinators love them.
The only downside is that because they grow rapidly and self-seed readily, they have a tendency to take over gardens.
Sometimes they can wind around and suffocate other plants.
Fortunately, container growing is an easy way to keep these vines under control, reducing the risk of a hostile takeover.
This also gives you the freedom to set them anywhere, like a balcony or patio.
Since this plant is a perennial in warmer climates, you can even choose to grow it indoors, or move the pots inside for the winter.
Look for a pot with drainage holes that is at least eight to 10 inches wide, and six inches deep.
Plant in a light potting soil that drains well. Adding some gravel to the bottom of the container will help ensure holes don’t get clogged.
You can start seeds indoors in the container about four to six weeks before the last frost, or start outside once the soil has warmed to 60°F.
Soaking seeds overnight prior to planting can help improve germination. Sow seeds at 1/4 inch deep and water well.
Once seedlings emerge, thin to no more than two or three plants per pot.
For more details on how to propagate and grow morning glories, read our full guide.
Set the planter somewhere that receives full sun, and that is sheltered from strong wind.
Be sure to set a trellis in the pot, or set the container next to or beneath something the vine can climb and whorl around, such as a fence or archway.
You can even find pots and planters that have a trellis built in, such as this one from Wayfair.
You can also plant them in hanging baskets and let them trail over the side.
Water two times a week or more during dry weather, and be especially attentive to soil moisture if you are keeping it indoors.
Tip: Morning glories work well planted with other climbing vines such as the moonflower, which blooms late in the day. Try planting both together in the same planter for flowers in the morning and the evening!
If you are keeping your morning glories indoors, remember that these vines need quite a bit of sun, at least six to eight hours a day.
They grow best in direct bright light and should be set in a sunny south or southeast facing window.
Make sure they have something to vine around so they stay contained. You may also choose to prune during the summer to slow growth and encourage blooming.
Deadhead spent flower heads and trim back lateral stems that sprout to keep vines from growing out of control.
Indoor plants should be watered with a fine mist during initial growth to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Once plants are well established, water thoroughly a couple of times a week at the soil level, letting the soil dry out before watering again.
In late fall, cut plants back to about six inches tall and reduce watering. The vine will resume growth once spring arrives.
To encourage blooming, you may also feed plants every few weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer during the growing season, such as AgroThrive General Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, available from Arbico Organics.
Growing Morning Glory in Pots | Learning from Last Year’s Mistakes
FAQ
How big of a pot do morning glories need?
How to Plant. Look for a pot with drainage holes that is at least eight to 10 inches wide, and six inches deep. Plant in a light potting soil that drains well. Adding some gravel to the bottom of the container will help ensure holes don’t get clogged.
Do morning glories like sun or shade?
Planting your morning glory in a spot that gets full sun is especially important. The flowers will only open when they are in direct sunlight, so daily exposure to full sun (at least 6 to 8 hours a day) will give you the longest amount of bloom time.
Do morning glories need a trellis to climb?
If they are planted next to a board fence or wall, wire or string must be stretched vertically to help the plant move upward. Additionally, morning glories need plenty of bright light. In shady locations they tend to become weak, grow slowly, and do not provide a full, attractive cover.
Do morning glory flowers come back every year?
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Annual Nature:Most morning glory varieties are annuals, meaning they complete their life cycle within one growing season.
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Self-Seeding:Even in areas where they are grown as annuals, morning glories are prolific seed producers, and if conditions are right, the seeds can germinate and produce new plants the following year.
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Perennial in Warmer Climates:In frost-free areas (USDA Zones 9 or 10 and warmer), morning glories can act as perennials, surviving the winter and growing back from their roots each year.
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Considerations for Los Angeles:As Los Angeles is in a warm climate, you can expect morning glories to act as perennials, coming back year after year from their roots.
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Invasive Potential:Due to their prolific seed production, morning glories can become invasive if left unchecked, so it’s important to control their growth if necessary.
Can Morning Glory grow in pots?
Potting soil is a good option for growing morning glory in pots. It is specially formulated to provide the necessary nutrients and drainage for potted plants. A mixture of potting soil and compost can also be used to improve soil quality. Morning glory plants require regular fertilization to thrive.
Should I plant morning glories in a container?
One of the top benefits of planting your morning glories in a container is that they are fairly easy to move around. However, it is still important to choose a great location because once the vines start growing you won’t want to cut them to move the pot. Ideally, look for an area that gets full sun for at least six hours every day.
How do you grow morning glory in a pot?
The morning glory will vine up and cover it. Use a plant cage – Surround the pot with a decorative plant cage for the vines to weave through. Try a plant hanger – Hang the morning glory planter from a ceiling hook and let vines grow up the hanger. Use plant stakes – Insert tall plant stakes on either side of the pot for vines to wrap around.
Can morning glories be propagated in pots?
Morning glories are beautiful and vibrant flowering plants that can be easily propagated in pots. Whether you want to expand your garden or share the joy of growing morning glories with others, there are several effective propagation methods to consider.
How to choose a morning glory plant?
The material of the pot is also important. Clay pots are a popular choice as they are porous and allow for good air circulation, but they can be heavy and breakable. Plastic pots are lightweight and durable, but they do not allow for air circulation as well as clay pots. Proper drainage is crucial for the health of your morning glory plant.
How do you grow morning glories?
Container morning glory flowers can also be used in hanging baskets, as they will trail gracefully down over the pot for a lovely display. Morning glories germinate quickly but like an overnight soak or a knick with a nail file to get them rolling. You can start them indoors to get a head start on the season or sow them directly into pots outdoors.