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.
The beach morning glory (Ipomoea imperati) is a stunning flowering vine that thrives in coastal environments. Its fast growth rate and vigorous spreading habit means these plants often need transplanting to roomier spaces But when exactly is the ideal time to move your beach morning glories? Here, we will discuss how to identify when your vines need transplanting along with the optimal season and techniques for smooth relocation
Signs Your Beach Morning Glory Needs Transplanting
Watch for these indications that your beach morning glory has outgrown its current pot or garden space
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Roots visible through the drainage holes or popping out of the soil surface. This shows the root system has maxed out the container capacity.
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Slowed growth and fewer flowers. Lack of nutrients caused by congested roots limits the plant’s performance.
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Wilting between waterings. The pot has more plant than it can support so water runs out faster
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Top heavy appearance and straggling vines. Insufficient root space cannot anchor and balance extensive top growth.
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Annual doubling in size. These fast growers need their root zone expanded yearly to support rapid gains in top growth.
Best Time of Year to Transplant Beach Morning Glories
Late winter or early spring is ideal for transplanting beach morning glory plants. Here’s why this season works well:
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The plants are just emerging from winter dormancy so the disturbance causes minimal stress.
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Root damage from transplanting gets repaired quickly by the active spring growth.
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Transplanting before new growth hardens off prevents leggy, weak stems resulting from root loss.
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Relocated plants establish better in the cool, moist conditions of spring before summer heat arrives.
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You can match transplant timing with spring feeding and pruning for a revitalizing boost.
Preparing Beach Morning Glories for Transplanting
Proper preparation minimizes transplant shock when relocating beach morning glory plants. Follow these pre-transplant tips:
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Water thoroughly a day before so the root ball retains ample moisture.
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Prune away any damaged or excessive growth to reduce plant stress.
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Prepare the new container or planting site ahead of time according to the plant’s preferences.
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Avoid transplanting during the peak heat of day or on extremely windy days.
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Have transplant aids like shovels, shears, and water on hand before digging.
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Loosen compacted roots by gently disturbing the root ball before lifting.
How to Transplant Beach Morning Glory Vines
Follow these steps for smooth transplanting:
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Water the plant well the day prior to keep roots hydrated.
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Prune away any damaged vines and thin congested growth.
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Dig around the root ball with a shovel, fork, or hoe. Lift carefully with the roots intact.
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Gently loosen any compacted roots on the sides and bottom or tease apart tangled sections.
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Place into the new container filled with fresh potting mix or hole. Ensure the top of root ball is level with the soil surface.
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Backfill with more mix around the roots and tamp down lightly to stabilize.
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Water thoroughly until it drains freely from the base. This removes air pockets.
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Shelter from sun and wind for a few days while it recovers from the move.
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Resume normal care practices, monitoring closely in the weeks following transplant.
Post-Transplant Care Tips
Reduce the common transplant shocks by providing attentive aftercare:
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Water more frequently while new roots establish in their new location.
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Fertilize lightly with a balanced formula once new growth appears to aid establishment.
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Stake or trellis transplanted vines for added support while roots recover.
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Mist foliage if wilting occurs but avoid overwatering.
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Move container plants to partial shade if leaf scorching happens despite adequate watering.
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Be vigilant about pests that may attack stressed plants post-transplant.
With attentive maintenance matched to its needs, your relocated beach morning glory will flourish in its roomy new home.
Ideal Transplant Containers and Sites
Pick transplant sites or containers that provide:
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Ample room for both current and future root expansion as the vine grows.
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Very well-draining soil enriched with compost. These plants are prone to root rot in soggy soils.
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Full sun exposure. Beach morning glories thrive best with a minimum of 6 hours direct sunlight daily.
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Protection from strong winds but good airflow around the foliage.
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Support via trellises, walls, fencing etc. The vining stems need something sturdy to climb up on.
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Sandy, slightly alkaline soil typical of coastal habitats. But beach morning glories can adapt to most average garden soils.
Matching your plant’s preferences will ensure its smooth adjustment to its new home.
Common Problems With Transplanting Beach Morning Glories
Watch out for these potential issues:
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Severely damaged roots from rough handling or improper digging. This can kill transplanted vines or cause lasting damage.
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Planting too deep leads to stem rot. The top of root ball should be level with the soil mark on the stem.
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Overwatering combined with poor drainage suffocates roots. Know when to hold back on watering.
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Failing to harden off freshly moved plants before exposing them to sun/wind risks desiccation damage.
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Compacted, dense root balls not loosened before transplanting prevent establishment.
When to Avoid Transplanting Beach Morning Glories
Try to avoid transplanting beach morning glories at these times:
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During peak summer heat when stressed plants struggle to recover from disturbance.
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Just before the first fall frost when plants are entering dormancy.
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When vines are actively flowering and setting seed. This diverts energy away from root recovery.
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During prolonged cool, overcast weather when inactive plants adapt poorly.
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Right after fertilizing or pruning which are additional stressors.
Picking the ideal time, paying attention to preparation, aftercare, and their preferred growing conditions will set your treasured beach morning glory vines up for transplanting success and seasons of vigorous beauty in their new location.
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.
Best Care Tips and How to Transplant Morning Glory
FAQ
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