Ipomoea lacunosa
white morning-glory
Attracts Pollinators
Native to North America
SunFull Sun – Part Shade
WaterMedium
Overview
Ipomoea lacunosa is a twining annual vine in the morning-glory family, climbing or trailing 2-6 ft (0.6-2 m) over plants, fences, and ground by winding its stems around supports. The leaves are 1.5-4 in (4-10 cm) long, heart-shaped with a pointed tip, and sometimes shallowly three-lobed, on long stalks. From July to October the vine bears funnel-shaped flowers about 0.5-1 in (1.5-2.5 cm) across, usually white, sometimes flushed pale pink or lavender, often with pink to purple anthers at the center. Each flower opens in the morning and closes by afternoon, lasting a single day. The flowers self-pollinate readily and form rounded capsules holding a few dark seeds. The vine grows in moist fields, floodplains, ditches, and disturbed ground across the eastern and central United States, and is a common weed in soybean and cotton fields where it climbs and tangles the crop. As an annual it dies with frost and returns from heavy seed set. It resembles Ipomoea hederacea but has smaller, plain white flowers and smooth rather than bristly sepals.
Native Range
Ipomoea lacunosa is native to the eastern and central United States, from Pennsylvania and Illinois south to Florida and Texas, with naturalized stands elsewhere. It grows in moist fields, floodplains, ditches, streambanks, and disturbed open ground.Suggested Uses
Ipomoea lacunosa is grown occasionally on fences and trellises for its quick summer cover and small white flowers, though it is more often managed as a weed of crops and disturbed land. Its flowers draw small bees and the seeds feed birds. In gardens it suits informal screening where its heavy self-seeding can be tolerated.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 6'
Width/Spread2' - 4'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Ipomoea lacunosa grows in full sun to part shade on moist, fertile soils and climbs quickly through one warm season. As an annual it is sown from seed in spring after frost and completes its cycle by autumn. It tolerates a range of soils and brief drought but grows fastest with steady moisture. No winter care applies because frost kills the vine. It self-seeds heavily, so volunteers appear the following year wherever seed has dropped. A fence, trellis, or neighboring plants give the twining stems support.Pruning
Pruning is not used for this annual vine. Cutting or pulling stems before the capsules ripen reduces self-seeding into the soil. Spent vines die with frost and can be cleared at season's end.⚠️ Toxicity Warning
Toxic to petsPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
direct sow
Direct Sow Timing
Spring after last frost
Days to Maturity
60–90 days
Plant Spacing
12 inches