Steps to Plant Morning Glory From Seeds

Finding a Location

• Morning glories will grow in almost any soil, and actually prefer a poor soil. Fertilization is not necessary, and can encourage leaf growth at the expense of flower production. They prefer full sun, but will tolerate light shade. They do well with an average amount of precipitation, so extra watering is not necessary unless conditions are very dry. Be sure you have some sort of support for the vines to grow on.

Preparing for Indoor Potting

• Whether you are planting indoors, or sowing directly in the garden, there are two things you can do to enhance germination, according to FineGardening.com. Because morning glory seeds have a hard coat, it is helpful to soak the seeds in warm water overnight before you plan to plant them. You can also use a nail file to lightly nick the seed coat before setting them to soak. Plant immediately after soaking them.

  Morning glories resent transplanting, so the best containers for indoor planting are individual peat pots. These organic containers will naturally decompose and can be placed in the soil right along with the plant at planting time, so the roots remain undisturbed and adjust to their new location quickly.

Starting Indoors

• Plan to start your morning glory seeds indoors about five to six weeks before the last frost. Plant each seed in its own container filled with potting medium, about a quarter inch under the top of the soil. The planting containers should be kept in a warm spot (68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). Light is necessary for morning glory vines to germinate, and the seedlings should be kept in a sunny location. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.

  Germination takes about a week. The seedlings can grow high enough that they begin searching out something to climb on. If this should happen, gently poke a twig or thin plant support into the soil beside each seedling, being careful of its roots. This will give the tiny vine a support to climb until it is warm enough to plant it outside.

  About two weeks before you plan to plant the morning glories outside, begin to harden off the seedlings--that is, gradually acclimatize them to outdoor conditions. The University of Minnesota Extension recommends placing them outdoors in a spot sheltered from wind and full sun for a few hours during the warmth of the afternoon. By the end of two weeks, weather permitting, they will be ready to be planted outside permanently. Place the plants 6 to 12 inches apart, and at the same level they were growing in their containers. Water in well.

Starting in the Garden

• Morning glory seeds can be planted directly in the garden after the danger of frost has passed. Plant seeds 6 to 12 inches apart and 1 inch deep. Keep the soil moist but not soggy during germination, which takes about a week.