Also known as Morning Glory · 85 gardener saves
Ipomoea: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Ipomoea, the genus most gardeners know as morning glory. We track 12 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Ipomoea varieties
Of 12 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSweet Potato
Ipomoea batatas 'Sweet Georgia Bronze'
#2 most savedOrnamental Sweet Potato Vine
Ipomoea batatas 'Chartreuse'
#3 most savedSweet Caroline Upside Black Coffee Sweet Potato Vine
Ipomoea batatas 'Sweet Caroline Upside Black Coffee'
Margarita Sweet Potato Vine
Ipomoea batatas 'Margarita'
Sweet Caroline Raven Sweet Potato Vine
Ipomoea batatas 'Sweet Caroline Raven'
Moonflower
Ipomoea alba
Tricolor Sweet Potato Vine
Ipomoea batatas 'Tricolor'
Sweet Potato Vine 'Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Lime'
Ipomoea batatas 'Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Lime'
Sweet Potato Vine
Ipomoea batatas 'Sweet Potato Vine'
Treasure Island Sweet Potato
Ipomoea batatas 'Treasure Island Makatea'
Treasure Island Kaukura Sweet Potato
Ipomoea batatas 'Treasure Island Kaukura'
Sweet Potato Vine
Ipomoea batatas 'Sweet Caroline Upside Key Lime'
How to grow Ipomoea
What the Ipomoea varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 12 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Ipomoea year
- PlantApril and May100% of varieties
Plant transplants or slips after all danger of frost has passed.
- FertilizeMay–August83% of varieties
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly, especially for container plants.
- PruneMay–August67% of varieties
Trim back vigorous runners to maintain shape and prevent overtaking neighbors.
- Pinch TipsMay and June50% of varieties
Pinch tips early in the season to promote fuller, denser growth.
- Lift & StoreSeptember and October50% of varieties
Dig up tubers after first light frost, cure, and store in a cool, dry place for winter.
- PropagateJune–August33% 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 ❌
- Avoid overwatering to prevent rot ❌
- Don’t let soil dry out completely
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 |
| Wireworms | Uneven tuber development, holes in roots | Use crop rotation and organic bait traps |
| Sweet potato weevil | Bore holes in tubers and leaves | Use organic neem oil or apply beneficial nematodes |
| Sweet Potato Weevil | Wilting and tunneling in tubers | Use organic neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| 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 |
| Root rot | Mushy roots and wilting | Improve soil drainage and reduce watering |
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 12 distinct Ipomoea varieties. The most popular — ranked by 85 real gardener saves — 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. 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.
Keep exploring
Design with Ipomoea in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
