Identifying and Harvesting Ripe Morning Glory Seed Pods for Saving Seeds
Morning glory, Ipomoea purpurea, is a flowering annual vine for USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 11 Native to Mexico, it has trumpet-shaped blooms that measure two to three inches across. Colors include blue, pink, purple, and white
As the flowers fade, seed pods develop behind each spent bloom Recognizing when morning glory pods are ripe for picking is key to collecting viable seeds Here’s a visual guide to the life cycle and what to look for
In the Flower Bud Stage
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Slender, puffy buds are tightly coiled in a spiral shape.
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Pointed tips emerge as buds lengthen.
During Flowering:
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Buds unfurl into bell-shaped blossoms that last just one day.
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Flowers open in morning sun and close by afternoon.
After Blooms Fade:
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Petals drop off, leaving green bulbous calyxes on stems.
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Calyxes resemble empty green jewelry settings.
During Seed Development:
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Ovary inside calyx swells into a round green seed pod.
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Pod resembles a tiny green marble or pea.
When Pods Ripen:
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Green color dries to light tan or brown.
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Texture becomes brittle and papery.
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Seeds rattle inside when shaken.
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Pods may crack open slightly.
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A dark brown line encircles the middle.
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Pods separate easily from vines.
Ripe morning glory seed pods are ready for easy harvesting. Simply collect pods once they turn brown and crispy. Avoid picking pods prematurely while still green. After harvesting, dry seeds further indoors before storage.
Following the morning glory life cycle from bud to pod allows you to identify perfect timing for gathering seeds from these charming vines. With proper collection and storage methods, the seeds you harvest can yield abundant free flowers in your garden for years to come.
Harvesting Morning Glory Seeds – Save Your Seeds
FAQ
What is mistaken for morning glory?
Another problem with field bindweed is that small pieces of rhizome can reproduce or be carried to uninfested areas via mowers, farm equipment, etc.It is also easily mistaken for morning glory or other similar viney plants.
What do morning glory seed pods look like in the fall?
Look through the morning glory vines to find dead flowers that are ready to drop off. The blooms will leave a small, round pod behind at the end of the stem. Once these pods are hard and brown, crack one open. If you find a number of small black seeds, your seeds of morning glories are ready for harvest.
What time of year do morning glories seed?
| Plant name | Zone | Start seeds outdoors (spring/fall) |
|---|---|---|
| Morning Glories | 4b | On/around May 15 (after last frost) |
| Morning Glories | 5a | On/around April 15 (after last frost) |
| Morning Glories | 5b | On/around April 15 (after last frost) |
| Morning Glories | 6a | On/around April 15 (after last frost) |
Is it safe to touch morning glories?
Purple morning glory is a vigorous climber with purple flowers that can smother the ground and grow high into the canopy. It outcompetes native plants and is poisonous to people and animals.
Do morning glory pods ripen?
Take care not to bust open unripe pods still growing on vines or immature seeds may fall to the ground. Focus only on plucking pods that meet the readiness criteria. Sometimes weather or lack of time forces you to harvest morning glory pods before they fully ripen.
Do morning glories grow from seed?
Morning glories are a popular annual climbing vine grown for their brightly colored trumpet-shaped flowers. They are easy to grow from seed and will quickly cover a fence or trellis with their rapid growth. Look in-depth at morning glory seedlings and how they grow from seed to mature vines. How long do morning glory seeds take to germinate?
When do morning glory seeds ripe?
Learning to recognize when morning glory seed pods are ripe for picking is key to collecting viable seeds. Morning glories grow quickly from seeds sown directly in the garden after all danger of frost. The vines can reach 10 feet or more by summer. Pretty bell-like flowers in shades of blue, purple pink, white or red appear in midsummer.
How do you know if Morning Glories are ready for harvest?
Look through the morning glory vines to find dead flowers that are ready to drop off. The blooms will leave a small, round pod behind at the end of the stem. Once these pods are hard and brown, crack one open. If you find a number of small black seeds, your seeds of morning glories are ready for harvest.
Do morning glories self-seed?
Morning glories (Ipomoea spp.) are classic annual vining flowers that self-seed prolifically. Their trumpet-shaped blooms unfurl in the morning and fade by midday. But did you know you can save their seeds to plant more free flowers next year? Learning to recognize when morning glory seed pods are ripe for picking is key to collecting viable seeds.
How do you pick morning glory seeds?
Light, soft seeds need more time. Picking ripe morning glory seed pods is quick and easy: Wait for a dry, sunny day if possible. Morning is ideal after any dew has evaporated. Snip off entire mature pods individually just below the calyx. Or crush ripe pods right on the plant between your fingers to dislodge seeds.