Morning glory vines bring old-fashioned charm and a quaint cottage feeling to any garden. However, if you don’t have time to take care of an aggressively seeding plant, you might want to think twice about introducing them into your garden, as they can get out of hand in a hurry. If you have a space where they can run wild over a fence, pergola or arbor, they will make quick cover of it. Their funnel or tubular-shaped flowers open in the morning and close in the afternoon. If you’re up for the challenge, here’s more information on growing morning glories.
Annual in areas that get below 45 F, but can still reseed and come back year after year on their own; perennial in warmer, more tropical climates.
Beach morning glory, also known as Ipomoea pes-caprae, is a vibrant flowering vine that thrives in coastal environments. With its colorful purple blooms and lush green foliage, this plant adds beauty and life to sandy beaches. However, beach morning glories are susceptible to rotting if not cared for properly. Rotting can destroy the health and appearance of these plants. By understanding what causes rot and implementing preventative care, you can keep your beach morning glories thriving for years to come.
What Causes Rot in Beach Morning Glory Plants?
There are a few key factors that can lead to rotting in beach morning glory plants
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Overwatering – Beach morning glories prefer drier conditions and sandy, well-draining soil. Too much moisture from overwatering can easily cause root rot and other fungal diseases. Their roots need access to oxygen which is limited in saturated soil.
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Poor drainage – Excess water pooling around the roots due to poor drainage has the same effect as overwatering. Beach morning glories need soil that drains well to prevent waterlogging.
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Compacted soil – Dense, compacted soil prevents proper airflow to the roots and retains more moisture. This encourages fungal growth and rot.
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Pests or diseases – Insects, bacteria, or fungi can attack the plant, damaging roots and leaves. This weakens the plant’s defenses against rot. Common culprits include spider mites, aphids, and powdery mildew.
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Cold weather – Exposure to cold temperatures can damage roots and make them prone to rotting. This is especially problematic if soil is wet.
7 Tips to Prevent Rot in Beach Morning Glories
Here are some effective ways to help prevent your beach morning glories from rotting:
1. Avoid Overwatering
This is one of the most critical things to get right when caring for beach morning glories. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. Test with your finger; water only when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. When you do water, soak the soil thoroughly to encourage deep root growth.
2. Improve Drainage
Make sure your beach morning glory has sandy, well-draining soil. Amend dense garden soil with sand or perlite to improve drainage. Allow for sufficient drainage holes if planting in containers. Consider building a raised planting bed, which elevates the plant’s roots above excess moisture.
3. Provide Sun and Airflow
Full sun and good airflow are essential for beach morning glory plants. Select an open site that gets 6+ hours of direct sun daily. Space plants 1-2 feet apart to allow air to circulate between them. Trim back overcrowded growth.
4. Fertilize Moderately
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength every 2-4 weeks during the growing season. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can cause excessive foliage growth and make plants more prone to rot diseases.
5. Monitor for Pests
Check frequently for signs of spider mites, aphids, or other pests. Hose down plants to dislodge insects. Remove damaged growth. Apply insecticidal soap for heavy infestations. Keep nearby weeds under control.
6. Practice Good Sanitation
Remove diseased or dying leaves/stems immediately to prevent infection spread. Disinfect gardening tools between uses with isopropyl alcohol. Rake up and dispose of fallen leaves/debris.
7. Add Winter Protection
In cold zones, add a layer of mulch around the base of plants in fall to insulate roots from freeze damage. Cut back on watering at this time. Cover with a frost cloth if hard freezes are expected.
What to Do if Your Plant Is Rotting
If you notice signs of rot in your beach morning glories, act quickly to resolve the issue:
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Identify and address the underlying cause – overwatering, poor drainage, etc.
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Remove all visibly rotted roots or stems. Sterilize pruners between each cut.
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Rinse remaining roots gently with clean water to remove debris. Let dry before replanting.
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Replant in fresh soil & avoid overwatering while the new roots establish.
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Drench surrounding soil with a fungicide suitable for ornamentals.
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Destroy severely infected plants to prevent spread.
Encouraging Healthy Growth
Once you get rot issues under control, promote vigorous, healthy growth through:
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Regular fertilization with a balanced fertilizer.
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Keeping plants well-watered (but not soaked) during hot, dry spells.
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Training vines up support structures like trellises, fences or arbors.
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Pruning back wayward stems and spent blooms.
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Mulching around plants to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
While beach morning glory plants are relatively low maintenance, they are susceptible to fungal rot diseases if overwatered or grown in dense, boggy soil. By providing the well-draining, sandy soil they prefer and avoiding excessive moisture, you can help prevent devastating rot issues. Ensure plenty of sunlight, moderate fertilization, and pest monitoring as well. Address rot promptly if it occurs and offer winter protection in cold climates. With proper culture, your beach morning glories will thrive and delight you with their vibrant flowers and lush foliage.
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Are morning glory vines invasive?
Morning glories are often mistaken for their aggressive and invasive cousin, field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), also called creeping Jenny, but they are two different species. Morning glories are from the family Ipomoea and, yes, can also be hard to handle and stubborn. They grow quite rapidly and will aggressively self-seed if not prevented by cutting back and removing seed pods, and some varieties have been declared invasive in certain areas. Field bindweed, on the other hand, sends out deep roots that make it nearly impossible to get rid of. These deep roots also allow it to overwinter in colder climates to return again and again. Field bindweed blooms in white or pink flowers and usually has smaller leaves than morning glory.
Morning glories are easily grown from seed and can be started indoors four to six weeks before the last spring frost. If sown directly into the garden, plant after any threat of frost and once the ground has warmed up to 64 F.
Pick a site that gets plenty of sun. They will tolerate some very light shade, but bloom their best in full sun. Because of their rapid growth, choose a location that will allow for its mature size. Morning glories will readily self-seed if allowed, so make sure they are in an area that is accessible for cutting back spent blooms before they go to seed or an area where self-seeding is acceptable. Be considerate of neighboring yards and where the seeds might fall.
If planting from seed, file seeds to break the outer shell and soak for 24 hours prior to planting to help with germination. Cover lightly with one-quarter to one-half inch of soil and water thoroughly. When transplanting, be careful of the roots, as they don’t like being disturbed. Water deeply for several days after transplanting to help the roots get established in their new home. Helpful hint: If starting from seed, use peat or other disintegrating pots that can be planted directly in the soil to lessen the stress on the root system.
Morning glories grow quite rapidly once established, up to 12 feet or more in one season.
No pruning is required; but to prevent unwanted self-seeding, old flowers should be thoroughly removed before they form seedpods.
Morning glories prefer moderately fertile, well-drained soil that is kept consistently moist until the plant is well established. Adult plants aren’t as picky about their soil and can tolerate poor, dry conditions.
Although usually not necessary, you can apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during growing season. Be careful not to fertilize too much as this can produce more foliage than flowers.
Water freely during growing season and once or twice a week during dry periods; but again, established morning glory plants can tolerate drier conditions. Cut back watering in winter.
Softwood cuttings of perennial species can be rooted in spring or summer. Harvest mature seeds in the fall.
Morning glory vines are sturdy and not generally affected by disease or pests, but can occasionally be susceptible to white blister, rust, fungal leaf spot, stem rot, and wilt. They can also be bothered by aphids, leaf miners, spider mites, and caterpillars.
Deer will eat morning glory leaves and vines, although the seeds are poisonous.
All morning glories should be grown with care and you should check for locally invasive species. Here are a few of the more widely acceptable types: Swipe to view slides
Photo by: alybaba / Shutterstock.
Common morning glory Ipomoea purpurea
Zones: Annual, perennial in zones 9-11 or areas over 45 F
Height/Spread: 6 to 10 feet tall, 3 to 6 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time: June to October; year-round in tropics
Color: Purple flower with white throat
Trumpet-shaped purple flowers open in the morning and close in the afternoon, which is what gives morning glories their common name. This fast grower grows up to 10 feet in one season. See more on the invasiveness of this species.
Photo by: ChViroj / Shutterstock.
Moonflower Ipomoea alba
Zones: Annual, perennial in zones 10-12 or areas over 45 F
Height/Spread: 10 to 15 feet tall, 3 to 6 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time: July to October; year-round in tropics
Color: White flower
This tropical native is noted for its fragrant nighttime blooms and broad, deep green leaves. Flowers open in the evening and close before noon the following day. (Not to be confused with daturas, also commonly called moonflower.) See more on the invasiveness of this species.
Photo by: Hemerocallis / Shutterstock.
‘Heavenly Blue’ Ipomoea tricolor
Zones: Annual, perennial in zones 9-11 or areas over 45 F
Height/Spread: To 12 feet tall, 3 to 6 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time: Summer, year-round in tropics
Color: Blue-purple flower with white throat, yellow center
Fast growing, twining climber with a classic morning glory look. Prohibited in Arizona and Arkansas.
Photo by: I_Fleurs / Shutterstock.
Flying Saucers’ Ipomoea tricolor
Zones: Annual, perennial in zones 9-11 or areas over 45 F
Height/Spread: To 12 feet tall, 3 to 6 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time: Summer, year-round in tropics
Color: Silvery white, streaked with blue
One of the more popular varieties due to its variegated flower, it produces large saucer-shaped blooms.
Photo by: Jjaikla / Shutterstock.
Beach morning glory, railroad vine, bayhops Ipomoea pes-caprae
Zones: Annual, perennial in zones 9-11
Height/Spread: Ground cover 16 inches high and can spread over 30 feet
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time: Late summer
Color: Pink petals with a darker center
Tolerant of sandy soil, salty air and water. Found along southern beaches from Texas to Florida and Georgia. Fast growing ground cover with evergreen leaves.
Photo by: Lucia Barabino / Pixabay.com.
Mile-a-minute vine, Messina creeper, Cairo morning glory Ipomoea cairica
Zones: Annual, perennial in zones 9-11
Height/Spread: 8 to 10 feet
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time: Summer, year-round in tropical climates
Color: Purple
Noted as invasive in some areas, check locally before planting.
Photo by: Carol Cloud Bailey / Millette Photomedia.
Ground morning glory Convolvulus sabatius
Zones: Perennial in zones 9-11 or areas over 20 F
Height/Spread: Groundcover 1 foot tall and spreads 3 feet in diameter
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time: Spring through fall, year-round in mild winter regions
Color: Lavender-blue
Forms a mat of green leaves with funnel-shaped flowers.
Photo by: Sari ONeal / Shutterstock.
Cardinal climber Ipomoea xmultifida (I. sloteri)
Zones: Annual, perennial in zones 9-11 or areas over 45 F
Height/Spread: 6 to 12 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time: Summer
Color: Bright red
A favorite of hummingbirds, with bright red tubular flowers and deeply cut foliage.
- Morning glory vines will quickly cover trellises, pergolas, arches and fences.
- Use them to create a colorful wall or to cover an unsightly area.
- Fashion a living fence, porch or deck railing.
- Plant vines in containers with a supporting trellis.
- Drape out of a hanging basket; they will also twine up the hangers.
- Grow responsibly in areas where reseeding is acceptable.
- Some varieties are considered invasive in certain areas, check locally before planting.
Blue My Mind® dwarf morning glory. Photo: Proven Winners.
Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
Ipomoea tricolor ‘Heavenly Blue’. Photo by: Hemerocallis / Shutterstock.
Morning glory vines bring old-fashioned charm and a quaint cottage feeling to any garden. However, if you don’t have time to take care of an aggressively seeding plant, you might want to think twice about introducing them into your garden, as they can get out of hand in a hurry. If you have a space where they can run wild over a fence, pergola or arbor, they will make quick cover of it. Their funnel or tubular-shaped flowers open in the morning and close in the afternoon. If you’re up for the challenge, here’s more information on growing morning glories.
Annual in areas that get below 45 F, but can still reseed and come back year after year on their own; perennial in warmer, more tropical climates.
6 to 12 feet, or more depending on variety.
Varieties available in purple, blue, red, white, pink and bi-colored.
Morning glory seeds are highly toxic if ingested.
Some Facts About Pōhuehue (Beach Morning Glory).
FAQ
How to save a dying morning glory plant?
How often should you water morning glories?
How do you care for potted morning glories?
Why are my morning glory leaves wilting in the sun?
How do you care for morning glories?
When it comes to nurturing morning glory plants, striking the right balance with soil quality and seasonal care can prevent issues like yellowing leaves, ensuring a lush, vibrant garden display. I’ve found through experience that morning glories thrive in well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
Why does my Morning Glory Wilt?
To prevent this from happening, do not overhead water your morning glory and remove any infected leaves. Canker is a disease that causes the stem of the morning glory to be sunken-in and brown. It wilts the ends of the leaves and then spreads onto the stem. It is a fungus that, if not taken care of, will affect the whole plant.
How do I get rid of Morning Glory pests?
This pest likes to do his damage at night. The best way to rid your morning glory of these pests is by using organic pest control and keeping your plant as healthy and happy as possible. Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
How do you grow beach morning glories?
To establish beach morning glories in gardens, take a cutting and set it into moistened sand. The internodes will shortly send out roots. Set them 3 feet (1 m.) apart and keep plants moist for the first few months. Gardeners growing beach morning glories can breathe a sigh of relief.