Morning glories are stunning annual climbers originally from Mexico that have won over gardeners everywhere with their gorgeous, trumpet-shaped blooms. The best part? Growing these Central American beauties is actually pretty straightforward, whether you’re starting with nursery plants or growing them from scratch with seeds.
Key Features of the Morning Glory
Morning glories are classic climbing vines. They produce long, twisting shoots that are constantly searching for something to grab onto as they reach for the sun. Because of this, you’ll definitely want to provide a trellis or some kind of support. They also look great winding their way up the branches of a nearby potted tree!
Pro Tip: Before you get started, make sure you scout out a perfect sunny spot in your garden that has plenty of room for climbing supports.
Planting Morning Glories from Containers
If you’re ready to add some Mexican flair to your garden, you can either buy young plants in containers (available at local garden centers or online) or start your own seedlings. The big advantage of buying established plants is that they get a head start on the growing season, which means you’ll see those flowers much sooner. On the other hand, growing from seed takes a bit more patience.
One thing to keep in mind: the delicate vines of young morning glories are pretty fragile. To avoid damaging them, it’s best to plant your seedlings in compostable peat pots or be extremely careful with the root ball when transplanting them into the garden. Once they settle in, these plants grow incredibly fast and are perfect for hiding any “eyesores” in your yard with their magical blooms.
Sowing and Growing from Seed
If you prefer the budget-friendly route of starting from seed, you’ll want to plant them in humus-rich potting soil during the spring. Morning glories are warmth-lovers and need a soil temperature of about 68°F (20°C) to germinate. Because of this, starting them indoors in a sunroom, greenhouse, or on a sunny windowsill is definitely the way to go.
Keep the soil consistently moist—but never soggy—to help those young roots grow strong. Once the threat of frost has passed (usually by mid-May), you can move them outside. Just be sure to “harden them off” by placing them in a sheltered spot first so they can get used to the outdoor air.
Pro Tip: By late May or early June, your morning glories should be feeling right at home and starting to branch out beautifully!
