The Mexican Morning Glory is a fast-growing climber that we usually treat as an annual here in the States. If you want to see those gorgeous, trumpet-shaped blooms covering your trellises or hiding that eyesore of a fence by early summer, your best bet is to give them a head start indoors.
The Windowsill: A Perfect Nursery for Young Morning Glories
Your sunny windowsill is actually the ideal spot to get these seedlings started. Since we can still get a surprise frost even in May, you really shouldn’t move your Morning Glories outside until late spring. These seeds need a steady temperature between 65°F and 70°F for about two weeks to germinate properly.
Most homes stay right in that sweet spot, making the windowsill the perfect “nursery.” Keep the little guys there until they’re about 4 inches tall and the weather outside is warm enough for them to thrive in the garden.
Pro Tips for Starting Morning Glories Indoors
To make sure your seedlings grow up strong and healthy, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Morning Glory seeds are “dark germinators”: They actually prefer dark, warm spots to get going, so make sure they’re covered with enough soil.
- Safety first: Keep in mind that some varieties are toxic, so be careful if you have curious pets or toddlers running around.
- Skip the transplant shock: If you want to avoid the hassle of “pricking out” or repotting, you can plant the seeds directly into their final large pot.
If you’re planning to use them for balcony greenery, sowing the seeds directly into their permanent planters is a great move. Otherwise, try planting 3 or 4 seeds in a compostable peat pot. When it’s time to move them outside, you can plant the whole pot in the ground, which keeps those delicate roots safe and sound.
Extra Tip: Don’t forget to label your pots! If you know which color is which, you can mix and match different varieties to create some really stunning color patterns on your trellis.
When Should You Skip the Indoor Start?
Starting seeds indoors is great if you want a head start on the season. However, if you’re looking for a blooming privacy screen or decorative cover for later in the year (mid to late summer), you can just sow the seeds directly at their permanent outdoor spot.
In either case, don’t worry about fertilizing the young plants just yet. You won’t need to worry about heavy feeding or pruning until they are well-established.
