The Growing Conditions for Morning Glories

Full Sun to Part Shade

• This annual plant thrives in warm, sunny locations. However, some shade during the hottest part of the day will help the morning glory stay in bloom for a substantial portion of the year. Prior to planting, pick out a location where you want to place your morning glories and keep an eye on them during a bright, sunny day. If the area is shaded from early to mid-afternoon, yet in full sunlight the rest of the day, it will provide the optimal growing conditions for your plant.

Consistent Water

• All plants require water, and morning glories are no exception. Although many annuals thrive in conditions where the soil is allowed to dry out slightly between watering, morning glories grow faster and produce more blooms when the soil is kept consistently moist yet not overly saturated. Keep the top 2 inches of soil damp at all times by lightly watering every two to three days, depending on your weather.

Well-Draining Soil

• Morning glories tend to dislike soggy soil, so a well-draining medium is ideal. Be sure to prepare the bed properly prior to planting your morning glories to ensure that they have the optimal growing conditions. Use a spade or shovel to break up the soil in your flowerbed as deeply as possible, tilling it until it is soft and fluffy. Then mix a soil conditioner, available at most landscaping stores, into the soil thoroughly. If you have a large amount of clay, which is notorious for retaining water, mix in leveling sand, garden lime and some type of natural manure or fertilizer along with the soil conditioner.

Plenty of Space

• The vast majority of morning glories available at landscape stores are of the vine variety. When left to their own devices, these plants can grow upwards or outwards from 5 to 7 feet. To provide the morning glories with the best conditions in which to grow, and to protect your other plants, make sure the morning glory has plenty of room to spread out if you plan to use it as a ground cover. If you want more control over the manner in which it grows, plant it near a trellis or fence so it can climb up with encouragement.