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How to Grow Morning Glory in a Container | Gardener’s Path

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Morning glories, Ipomoea purpurea, are quick-growing vines, popular for their colorful flowers that open each morning from summer until the first frost of fall.

Reaching between six and 10 feet in height, this fairly aggressive plant can take over a garden if you aren’t careful.

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Fortunately, they are easy to grow in containers, which can be particularly advantageous if you are worried about them spreading.

Read on to learn how to plant morning glories in pots.

Advantages of Container Growing

I love growing morning glories! They come in all sorts of colors, can add vertical dimension to the garden when trained up trellises, and pollinators love them.

A close up horizontal image of blue Ipomoea purpurea flowers growing on a white metal fence.

The only downside is that because they grow rapidly and self-seed readily, they have a tendency to take over gardens.

Sometimes they can wind around and suffocate other plants.

A close up vertical image of a large morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea) vine that has taken over one section of the garden.

Fortunately, container growing is an easy way to keep these vines under control, reducing the risk of a hostile takeover.

This also gives you the freedom to set them anywhere, like a balcony or patio.

A close up horizontal image of a large Ipomoea purpurea vine growing up a wall attached to a trellis.

Since this plant is a perennial in warmer climates, you can even choose to grow it indoors, or move the pots inside for the winter.

How to Plant

Look for a pot with drainage holes that is at least eight to 10 inches wide, and six inches deep.

A close up horizontal image of two small pink morning glory flowers growing on a wooden fence.

Plant in a light potting soil that drains well. Adding some gravel to the bottom of the container will help ensure holes don’t get clogged.

You can start seeds indoors in the container about four to six weeks before the last frost, or start outside once the soil has warmed to 60°F.

Soaking seeds overnight prior to planting can help improve germination. Sow seeds at 1/4 inch deep and water well.

Once seedlings emerge, thin to no more than two or three plants per pot.

Growing Indoors

If you are keeping your morning glories indoors, remember that these vines need quite a bit of sun, at least six to eight hours a day.

A close up horizontal image of pink morning glory flowers growing in a container indoors.

They grow best in direct bright light and should be set in a sunny south or southeast facing window.

A close up horizontal image of seedlings growing in biodegradable pots set on a windowsill with wicker baskets in the background.

Make sure they have something to vine around so they stay contained. You may also choose to prune during the summer to slow growth and encourage blooming.

Deadhead spent flower heads and trim back lateral stems that sprout to keep vines from growing out of control.

A close up horizontal image of purple morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea) flowers growing in the garden pictured in light filtered sunshine.

Indoor plants should be watered with a fine mist during initial growth to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Once plants are well established, water thoroughly a couple of times a week at the soil level, letting the soil dry out before watering again.

In late fall, cut plants back to about six inches tall and reduce watering. The vine will resume growth once spring arrives.

A close up square image of a plastic bottle of AgroThrive General Purpose Liquid Fertilizer isolated on a white background.

AgroThrive Fertilizer

To encourage blooming, you may also feed plants every few weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer during the growing season, such as AgroThrive General Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, available from Arbico Organics.

It’s a Win-Win Situation

Learn to grow morning glories in containers and you will no longer need to worry about vines taking over your garden.

A close up horizontal image of a purple morning glory flower with water droplets on the petals pictured on a soft focus background.

Instead, you can add color and vertical dimension to porches, patios, or even your living room.

Have you grown morning glories in containers? Share your tips and photos in the comments below!

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