Ipomoea pes-caprae (Beach Morning Glory)

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Ipomoea, Genus, pes-caprae, Species,

Genus & species

beach morning glory

Convolvulaceae Pantropical coastlines

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–12

Overview

Ipomoea pes-caprae is a trailing perennial vine of the morning glory family, sending out prostrate, fleshy stems that root at the nodes and reach 30-100 feet (9-30 m) along open sand. The thick, leathery leaves are 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm) long and notched at the tip into two rounded lobes, giving the goat's-foot outline behind its common names. Pink to rose-purple funnel-shaped flowers, 1.5-2.5 inches (4-6 cm) across with a darker throat, open in the morning and fade by afternoon, appearing throughout the warm season. The fruit is a rounded capsule holding brown, hairy seeds that float in seawater and stay viable for months, spreading the plant between coastlines. Deep taproots and rooting nodes anchor shifting sand, making it a primary dune-stabilizing species across tropical shores. It tolerates salt spray, sandy infertile soil, intense sun, and drought, but is killed by frost and does not grow inland or in shade. Stems can spread quickly, overrunning small plantings in mild conditions.

Native Range

Native to tropical and subtropical coastlines worldwide, including the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia. It grows on sandy beaches and foredunes, usually within reach of salt spray and just above the high-tide line.

Suggested Uses

Used for dune stabilization, erosion control, and groundcover on sandy coastal sites and seaside gardens. It spreads as a sand-binding mat and is planted from cuttings spaced 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) apart.

How to Identify

Identified by long, trailing reddish stems on open sand and thick leaves notched into two lobes like a goat's hoof. The pink to rose-purple funnel flowers, 1.5-2.5 inches (4-6 cm) wide with a darker center, open in the morning and close by midday. Its strictly coastal, sand-rooting habit separates it from inland morning glories.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 1'4"

Width/Spread30' - 100'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~28 weeks

Flowers: April–October

Spring Summer Fall

Flowers through the warm months and nearly year-round in frost-free tropics. Individual blooms last a single morning, but plants flower continuously over a long season. Peak flowering follows seasonal rains.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pink to rose-purple

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.5 (Neutral to alkaline)

3579

Soil Types

sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun on loose, sandy, fast-draining soil and tolerates a pH from 6.0 to 8.5. It needs little water once established, drawing on deep roots, and withstands salt spray, salty soil, and drought. Frost kills the stems, restricting it to zones 9-12 and coastal frost-free sites. It is grown from seed, which germinates faster after the hard coat is scarified, or from rooted stem cuttings. Overly rich or wet soil and inland sites away from salt air lead to poor growth. Regular trimming keeps the fast-spreading stems within bounds.

Pruning

Trim trailing stems through the growing season to limit spread and keep plantings tidy, as the vine roots wherever nodes touch sand. Cut back frost-damaged growth in spring, when the plant resprouts from the rootstock in mild zones. No detailed pruning is otherwise needed.