Ipomoea purpurea
common morning glory
A short-lived perennial twining climber to 5m tall, usually grown as an annual. Leaves are heart-shaped or three-lobed. Flowers borne from summer into early autumn are funnel-shaped, 3-6cm in diameter and deep purple to bluish-purple or a reddish-purple with white throats
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Purple Red White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Blue Purple Red White | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Convolvulaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Climbing
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Ipomoea can be annuals or perennials, often twining, or evergreen shrubs, with simple, lobed or dissected leaves and tubular or funnel-shaped flowers which may be solitary or borne in racemes or panicles
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow as an annual climber in a moist but well-drained soil in full sun and sheltered from cold winds
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing seeds indoors for further advice
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshoouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.