Morning Glory Seeds

Common Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea) is a charming ornamental climber prized for its funnel- or trumpet-shaped blooms, about 3-6 cm wide, that open fresh each morning and last only a few hours. The vine twines vigorously to cover a trellis, fence or arch in a single season, making it one of the quickest ways to add vertical colour and a cottage-garden feel to a sunny corner.

Planting

Because the seeds have a hard coat, scarify them first (nick with a knife or rub with sandpaper or a file), then soak in water for 12-24 hours before sowing. Direct-sow outdoors after the last frost once the soil has warmed to about 18 C, or start indoors 4-6 weeks earlier. Sow about 1.3 cm deep in full sun (6 or more hours daily). Seeds germinate in roughly 1-2 weeks (7-14 days) when kept moist and warm. Thin plants to about 20-30 cm apart and give them a trellis or support to climb.

Fertilizing

Feed monthly through the growing season with a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10. Avoid over-feeding, especially with nitrogen, as too much encourages lush leaves at the expense of flowers.

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but well-drained, never waterlogged; once established the vine tolerates some drought. There are no serious pest problems, though spider mites can appear in hot, dry weather, with whitefly and aphids occasionally present. This vigorous vine reaches about 1.8-3 m and flowers from mid-summer into autumn, roughly 2.5-4 months from sowing. Note: the seeds are toxic if eaten in quantity and the plant is toxic to cats, dogs and horses.