Also known as Morning Glory · 104 saves
Ipomoea
Ipomoea, the genus most gardeners know as morning glory. We track 13 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 12 most-saved Ipomoea varieties
Browse all 13 Ipomoea varieties →
2 species of Ipomoea
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Ipomoea in Sow
Save the Ipomoea you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Ipomoea
Whats common across all Ipomoea varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 13 most-grown of them.
The Ipomoea year
- PlantApril and May100% of varieties
Set out slips two to four weeks after the last frost, once the soil is genuinely warm.
- FertilizeMay–August77% of varieties
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly, especially for container plants.
- PruneMay–August62% of varieties
Trim back vigorous runners to maintain shape and prevent overtaking neighbors.
- Pinch TipsMay and June46% of varieties
Pinch tips early in the season to promote fuller, denser growth.
- Lift & StoreSeptember and October46% of varieties
Dig up tubers after first light frost, cure, and store in a cool, dry place for winter.
- HarvestSeptember and October31% of varieties
Lift roots before the first frost, then cure them warm and humid for about a week.
- PropagateJune–August31% of varieties
Take stem cuttings and root in water or moist soil for new plants.
Do
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Water consistently during growing season 💧
- Support vines with trellises
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Provide full sun for vigorous growth
Avoid
- Overwater to prevent rot ❌
- Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
- Feed heavily with nitrogen ❌
- Plant it out before the last frost ❌
What goes wrong with Ipomoea
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Sweet potato weevil | Tunnelled, bitter-tasting roots and wilting vines, mainly in the warm southern states | Plant certified clean slips, rotate the bed each year and destroy infested roots rather than composting them |
| Wireworms | Uneven tuber development, holes in roots | Use crop rotation and organic bait traps |
| Golden tortoise beetle | Small round shot-holes across the leaves, with metallic gold beetles feeding on them | Pick beetles off by hand; ornamental plantings tolerate the damage and rarely need treatment |
| Fungal leaf spot | Spotted leaves and reduced vigor | Apply organic fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Fungal rot | Soft, darkened tubers | Ensure proper drainage and crop rotation |
| Fusarium wilt | Vines yellow and wilt from the base, with dark staining visible when a stem is cut across | Grow certified disease-free slips and rotate the planting site; there is no cure for an infected plant |
Making more Ipomoea
Cuttings
- Select healthy vine cuttings in early spring.
- Dip cuttings in rooting hormone.
- Plant in moist soil or water for roots to develop.
- Keep soil moist for 6 weeks until established.
Tuber division
- Dig up mature tubers in fall.
- Cut into sections, each with at least one eye.
- Allow cut surfaces to dry for 24 hours.
- Plant sections in spring after last frost.
Ipomoea questions
How many types of Ipomoea are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 13 distinct Ipomoea varieties. The most popular — ranked by 104 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Ipomoea grow in?
Across its varieties, Ipomoea covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Ipomoea bloom?
Most Ipomoea varieties bloom in mid-summer, rarely flowers, late summer to fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Ipomoea should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.