Ipomoea purpurea
common morning-glory
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesAttracts HummingbirdsContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Ipomoea purpurea is a fast-growing annual vine that twines 6-15 feet (1.8-4.6 m) in a single season, climbing by wrapping its stems around supports. The alternate, heart-shaped leaves are 2-5 inches (5-12 cm) long on long stalks, and the stems and leaves carry soft hairs. From midsummer to frost, funnel-shaped flowers 1.5-3 inches (4-7.5 cm) across open in the morning and close by afternoon, in shades of purple, blue, pink, magenta, or white, often with a paler throat. Each flower lasts a single day. Native to Mexico and Central America, I. purpurea is grown worldwide as an ornamental annual and has naturalized widely, becoming a weed of crops, fences, and waste ground in warm regions. It self-seeds heavily, and the hard-coated seeds can persist in soil for years, making volunteer seedlings hard to eliminate. The seeds contain toxic alkaloids and are harmful if eaten. The vine is killed by the first hard frost and grows fresh from seed each year. It is grown as a summer annual in USDA zones 2 through 11.
Native Range
Native to Mexico and Central America. Grown as an ornamental worldwide and naturalized across temperate and tropical regions, where it can become a weed of fields, fences, and disturbed ground.Suggested Uses
Grown on trellises, arbors, fences, and netting for fast summer screening and flowers, and in containers with support. Sown or spaced about 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) apart, it covers vertical supports through summer and fall.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 15'
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Purple, blue, pink, or whiteFoliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Ipomoea purpurea grows in full sun in average, well-drained soil across a pH of 6.0 to 7.5, and flowers most freely in lean soil, since rich ground produces leafy growth at the expense of flowers. It needs moderate water and warm temperatures and is grown as a frost-tender annual. Seeds are sown after the last frost, and soaking or nicking the hard seed coat speeds germination. It self-seeds heavily and can return as a weed for several years. Few pests trouble it. It needs a trellis, fence, or netting to climb.Pruning
No pruning is required. Pinching the growing tips of young plants encourages branching and more flowers. Removing seed capsules before they ripen reduces self-sowing and limits its weediness.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons
⚠️ Toxicity Warning
Toxic to pets and humansPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
direct sow
Indoor Start
4 weeks before last frost
Direct Sow Timing
after last spring frost
Days to Maturity
80–110 days
Plant Spacing
10 inches