Morning Glory Seeds - Clarke's Heavenly Blue - Ipomea tricolor

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

USDA Zones 2-11 - This plant is a true perennial in zones 10-11, but is most commonly grown as a fast-growing, warm-season annual in all other zones. It is a vigorous climber that thrives in hot weather.

Best performance across all zones where it gets a long, hot summer. The longer the warm season, the more robust its growth and flowering will be.

Northern Zones (2-7) - Plant after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up. Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost for an earlier bloom.

Hot Climate Zones (8-11) - Thrives in the heat. Can be planted in early spring for summer and fall blooms. In some regions, it may act as a perennial and return each year.

Soil Temperature - Requires warm soil for successful germination. A minimum soil temperature of 65F is needed, with an optimal range between 70F and 85F for quick and reliable sprouting.

Growing Season - Requires at least 90 frost-free days to reach its full flowering potential. Its fast growth makes it suitable for shorter seasons when planted at the correct time.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

When to Plant:

Outdoors (Direct Sow): Sow seeds directly in the garden after the last frost date, once the soil has warmed to at least 65F. Planting in cool soil will lead to poor germination.

Indoors: For a head start, you can start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost.

Seed Preparation:

Morning Glory seeds have a hard outer shell that can slow germination. To improve sprouting rates, you can "scarify" them by gently nicking the seed coat with a small file or sandpaper.

After scarifying, soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours just before planting.

Planting:

Choose a Location: Select a site with full sun (at least 6-8 hours a day). Morning Glories will produce fewer flowers and less vigorous vines in the shade.

Provide Support: These are climbing vines, so a trellis, fence, arbor, or other support structure is necessary for them to grow upward.

Soil: They are not picky about soil but require good drainage. They will perform best in average soil and can become overly leafy with less flowers if the soil is too rich.

Sow Seeds: Plant seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Space them about 6 inches apart along your support structure.

Water: Water thoroughly after planting. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seedlings emerge, which typically takes 5-21 days.

Care & Maintenance:

Watering: Once established, Morning Glories are quite drought-tolerant. Water them when the top inch of soil is dry. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Fertilizing: Fertilizing is generally not needed. A light application of a low-nitrogen fertilizer can be used if growth seems stunted. High nitrogen fertilizers will promote leafy growth at the expense of flowers.

Pruning: To encourage a fuller, bushier plant, you can pinch off the tips of the vines when they are young.

Self-Seeding: Morning Glories can be prolific self-seeders. If you don't want them to spread, you can deadhead the faded flowers before they go to seed.