Caring for Morning Glories: Complete Care Guide

Morning glories are one of the easiest and most rewarding flowering vines to grow. This complete guide will walk you through everything you need to know about caring for morning glories the easy way.

I placed seeds and seedlings in various pots and areas in my patio to see where they would grow best. We have some plants growing against a wall in one part of our balcony. We even installed a white trellis, which really makes the morning glories stand out when they bloom in the morning!

Below are some tips on how to best enjoy the morning glory plant in your garden.

Table of Contents

Caring for Morning Glories at a Glance

Sun: Full sun (6–8 hours)
Water: Moderate, well-draining soil
Soil: Average, not too rich
Bloom time: Summer to early fall
Growth: Fast-growing climber

When Do Morning Glories Bloom?

Morning glories typically bloom during the spring and summer, but can bloom shorter or longer based on where you live and how hot or cold it gets in your area. If you are not sure about what can grow in your area, check out the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map.

I see morning glories blooming all over town throughout the year, but we live in a mild-weathered area. Older morning glories that I’ve seen get very thick and full of beautiful flowers!

Where to Plant Morning Glories?

Morning glories are climbers, so plan out carefully where you want to grow your morning glories. These can grow up to 15 feet in length!

We have some plants growing up a trellis on a wall, while some other morning glories are growing in a hanging planting in the front porch. Make sure there is plenty of space for your morning glories to grow, since they will eventually take up a bunch of room!

What do Morning Glories Look Like?

Morning glories are a vine that grows beautiful flowers in vibrant shades of blue, red, white, purple, and pink. Their blooms are in the shape of trumpets and bloom during the morning hours. The leaves are also beautiful with their heart-shaped green leaves.

You can choose various morning glories in one specific color, or get a bunch of different seeds for a colorful vine of morning glories!

How to Grow Morning Glories

Once you have your seeds, file and soak them for 24 hours to get them to sprout quickly. If you plan to start them indoors, place one in each section of an eggcrate, then cover lightly with soil, about a 1/4 inch layer.

Once seedlings sprout, you can transfer them when a second set of leaves appears on the seedling. Morning glories love the sun, so make sure there is plenty of sunlight where you transfer the seedlings. Place seeds or seedlings at least 6 inches apart to give them plenty of room to grow.

Since morning glories like wrapping themselves around objects as they grow, make sure they have something to grow on, such as a trellis or pergola. Morning glories also grow well in containers and hanging planters, as long as they have something to latch onto for the vine to grow on.

You might have to “train” your morning glories to grow in the right direction. We have ours growing up on a trellis. Sometimes, our morning glories want to latch onto a nearby plant or go in the opposite direction of the trellis.

When this happens, gently wrap or point the vine in the direction of your pergola or trellis.

Morning Glory Care

Fertilize your morning glories once they are planted. Make sure they get watered when dry. Mulch the area around them so weeds don’t take over the area.

Morning glories are known for reseeding, so cut off old flowers before they do this to avoid overgrown areas of morning glories.

Caring for Morning Glories in Pots

Growing morning glories in pots is a great option if you’re short on space. When caring for morning glories in pots, focus on sunlight, drainage, and support.

Choose a pot: Use a container at least 10–12 inches deep with drainage holes.
Give full sun: Aim for 6–8 hours of sunlight daily for best blooms.
Use well-draining soil: Avoid overly rich soil to prevent excess leaves and fewer flowers.
Add support: A trellis or stake helps vines climb as they grow.
Water regularly: Keep soil a little wet, but not too wet.

With just a little care, potted morning glories can add beautiful vertical color to patios, balconies, or small garden spaces.

Morning Glory Pests and Diseases

Just like with any other plant, morning glories can get diseases and attract certain pests. Caring for morning glories include watching out for disease and pests.

Aphids, spider mites, and caterpillars love morning glories. Something enjoys the leaves near the ground of mine. I have yet to catch the culprit!

Fungal leaf spots and rust are common diseases that morning glories can get as well. Use an organic spray or make your own pest and disease sprays and repellants.

Types of Morning Glories

There are various types of morning glory seeds you can purchase locally and online. Although the Heavenly Blue Morning Glories are the most common (at least here), there are other varieties in multiple colors. Here are some of my favorites:

Are Morning Glories Poisonous to Dogs?

Be careful if you have pets. Morning glories are poisonous to dogs and cats. Tiger has yet to bother our morning glories when he sneaks out.

If you have pets, be mindful of where they are when outside with you in your garden.

Morning Glories Meaning

Morning glories hold several beautiful and symbolic meanings. Traditionally, they are associated with love, affection, and the fleeting nature of life.

Part of this meaning comes from the plant’s unique blooming habit. Each delicate flower typically opens in the morning and fades by the end of the day. Because of this, morning glories are often seen as a reminder to appreciate the present moment and the simple beauty found in everyday life.

In some cultures, morning glories can also symbolize renewal and new beginnings, as their fresh blooms return each morning throughout the growing season. This makes them a meaningful addition to gardens that celebrate growth, change, and the rhythm of nature.

Why Aren’t My Morning Glories Blooming?

There are several reasons why your morning glories are not blooming. It could be that they have been given too much fertilizer, or that the soil is naturally very fertile. You could also be growing a variety that blooms later than other types.

These are all easy fixes. Stop giving your plants fertilizer and make sure they are getting plenty of sunshine. If you have a late-blooming variety, you will just have to wait longer to enjoy beautiful blooms.