Morning Glory In Hanging Basket

There’s something truly special about a morning glory in hanging basket blooming beautifully in sunlight. That cascade of vibrant blue, purple, or pink trumpets against the green foliage is a sight that can brighten any porch or patio. It’s a classic gardening win, but to get those stunning results, you need to start with the right setup and care. This guide will walk you through every step, from choosing your basket to keeping the blooms coming all season.

You don’t need a huge garden to enjoy these flowers. A hanging basket brings them right to your eye level, creating a living curtain of color. With some simple tips, you can avoid common pitfalls and ensure your morning glories thrive, not just survive.

Getting this combination right is the foundation of your success. Not all baskets or locations are created equal. Let’s break down what makes the perfect home for your morning glory vines.

Choosing the Perfect Basket and Location

Your first decision is the container itself. This choice impacts how often you’ll need to water and how well your plants will grow.

Basket Size: Go big. A minimum of 12 inches in diameter and depth is crucial. Morning glories develop extensive root systems and need room to grow. A small basket will dry out to fast and stunt the plant.
Basket Material: Plastic-lined woven baskets or solid plastic pots retain moisture best. Terracotta is porous and dries out extremely quickly, which can be a daily struggle in summer heat.
Drainage Holes: This is non-negotiable. Ensure your basket has several holes in the bottom to prevent waterlogged soil, which causes root rot.
Sunlight: “Blooming beautifully in sunlight” is the key phrase here. Morning glories require full sun, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. A south or west-facing spot is usually ideal. Less sun means fewer, if any, blooms.
Structural Support: Ensure your hook or bracket is strong enough to hold a heavy, watered basket. A mature, lush basket can be surprisingly weighty, especially after rain.

The Best Soil and Planting Method

Garden soil is a no-go for containers. It compacts and doesn’t drain properly. You need a mix specifically designed for success in pots and baskets.

Potting Mix: Use a high-quality, lightweight potting mix. Look for one that says “for containers” or has water-retentive crystals already added. These mixes provide good drainage while holding onto moisture and nutrients.
To Pre-soak or Not: Morning glory seeds have a hard coat. Nicking the seed coat with a file or soaking them in warm water for 12-24 hours before planting will dramatically speed up germination.
Planting Seeds Directly: You can sow seeds directly into the basket after the last frost date. Plant 3-4 seeds about 1/2 inch deep and 6 inches apart. Once seedlings sprout and have a few leaves, thin to the 2-3 strongest plants.
Starting with Transplants: For a quicker start, purchase young plants from a nursery. Gently loosen the roots and plant them at the same depth they were in their nursery pot. Space 2-3 plants per large basket.
Adding a Moisture Aid: Consider mixing in a polymer moisture-retaining gel into the soil at planting time. This acts as a reservoir, reducing watering frequency during hot spells.

Watering: The Most Critical Skill

Hanging baskets dry out much faster than ground soil. Your watering routine will make or break your display.

The Finger Test: Don’t guess. Stick your finger into the soil up to the first knuckle. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. In peak summer, this might be every day, sometimes even twice.
Water Deeply: When you water, do so thoroughly. Water should flow freely out of the drainage holes. This ensures the entire root ball gets moisture, encouraging deep, strong roots.
Morning is Best: Water in the early morning. This gives the foliage time to dry in the sun, preventing fungal diseases, and provides the plant with moisture for the day ahead.
Avoid Evening Watering: Watering late in the day leaves the soil damp overnight, which can promote mildew and rot, especially on those dense leaves.

Feeding for Fantastic Flowers

Potting mix nutrients get used up quickly. To support vigorous growth and constant blooming, you need to fertilize regularly.

Start with a Balanced Fertilizer: For the first month of growth, use a balanced liquid fertilizer (like a 10-10-10) every two weeks to encourage healthy vines and leaves.
Switch for Blooms: Once you see the first flower buds forming, switch to a fertilizer higher in phosphorus (the middle number). A formula like 5-10-10 or one labeled “bloom booster” is ideal. Phosphorus supports strong flower production.
Consistency is Key: Follow the label instructions, but a general rule is a diluted liquid feed every 1-2 weeks throughout the growing season. Don’t over-fertilize, as this can lead to more leaves than flowers.

Training and Pruning Your Vine

Morning glories are climbers by nature. In a hanging basket, you need to guide them to create that beautiful cascading effect.

Early Guidance: When the vines are young (about 6-8 inches long), gently drape them over the edge of the basket. You can use soft plant ties or even paperclips bent into hooks to loosely attach them to the basket rim if they resist.
Pinch for Bushiness: To encourage a fuller, bushier plant with more flowering sites, pinch off the very tip of the main vine when it has 4-6 true leaves. This signals the plant to send out side shoots.
Regular Deadheading: This is the secret to non-stop blooms. Morning glory flowers typically last just one day. As they fade and close up, gently pinch or snip them off. This prevents the plant from putting energy into making seeds and tells it to produce more flowers instead.
Manage Growth: Don’t be afraid to give long vines a trim if they become to leggy or tangled. Pruning back by a third can often reinvigorate the plant.

Common Pests and Problems

Even with great care, you might encounter a few issues. Here’s how to spot and solve them.

Aphids: These tiny green or black insects cluster on new growth. A strong spray of water from a hose can dislodge them. For persistent problems, use insecticidal soap.
Spider Mites: Look for fine webbing and stippled, yellowing leaves, especially in hot, dry weather. Increase humidity by misting the foliage (in the morning) and rinse the leaves regularly.
Leaf Miners: These pests create squiggly white trails inside the leaves. Simply pick off and destroy affected leaves.
Powdery Mildew: A white, powdery coating on leaves is a sign of this fungus. Improve air circulation, avoid wetting the foliage when watering, and remove badly affected leaves. A homemade spray of 1 tablespoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap, and 1 gallon of water can help.
Lack of Blooms: If you have lush leaves but no flowers, the cause is usually too much nitrogen fertilizer (encouraging leaves), not enough sun, or soil that is to rich. Switch to a bloom fertilizer, ensure full sun, and avoid over-feeding.

Overwintering and Saving Seeds

Morning glories are annuals in most climates, but you can save seeds for next year’s free plants.

Let a few of the last flowers of the season fade and remain on the vine. You’ll see a small, round seed pod form where the flower was.
Wait until the pod turns brown and papery and you can hear the seeds rattle inside. This means they are fully mature.
Pick the dry pods, open them over a paper plate, and collect the small, black seeds.
Store the seeds in a paper envelope labeled with the color and year. Keep them in a cool, dry place. They will be ready to plant next spring.

Design Ideas and Companion Planting

While a solo morning glory basket is stunning, you can create even more dynamic displays.

Monochromatic Scheme: Plant a basket with only ‘Heavenly Blue’ morning glories for a striking pool of cool blue.
Mixed Colors: Combine seeds of ‘Grandpa Ott’ (deep purple), ‘Scarlett O’Hara’ (crimson), and ‘Milky Way’ (white with streaks) for a vibrant, confetti-like effect.
Companion Plants: For a fuller look, plant trailing companions that enjoy similar conditions. Sweet potato vine (for foliage contrast), licorice plant (silver foliage), or trailing lobelia (small blue flowers) can fill in the basket base beautifully.
The Multi-Basket Effect: Hang two or three baskets at different heights for a tiered, waterfall of color. This creates a dramatic focal point on a blank wall or porch post.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are morning glories perennials in hanging baskets?

Typically, no. Most common morning glory varieties (Ipomoea purpurea, Ipomoea tricolor) are grown as annuals. They complete their life cycle in one season and will not survive frost. In very warm climates (zones 10-11), some may act as perennials.

Why are my morning glory leaves turning yellow?

Yellow leaves can have a few causes. The most common for container plants are overwatering (causing root rot) or under-watering (stress). Check your soil moisture first. It can also be a sign of a nutrient deficiency, often nitrogen, so ensure you are fertilizing regularly.

How do I get more flowers on my morning glory?

Ensure it gets maximum sunlight, switch to a bloom-booster fertilizer, and deadhead religiously. Also, avoid using a high-nitrogen fertilizer, which pushes leaf growth at the expense of flowers.

Is morning glory in a pot a good idea?

Absolutely. The principles are the same as for a hanging basket: a large pot with excellent drainage, full sun, consistent watering, and regular feeding. A pot on a pedestal can create a similar cascading effect.

Do morning glories attract pollinators?

Yes! Their vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers are excellent at attracting bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds to your garden space, which is a great benefit for all your plants.

Can I grow morning glories from cuttings?

While it’s possible, it’s not the most reliable method. They root somewhat easily in water or moist soil, but growing from seed is so simple and effective that most gardeners prefer it. Saving seeds from your own plants is very straightforward, as we mentioned earlier.

Growing a morning glory in a hanging basket to achieve that perfect vision of it blooming beautifully in sunlight is a rewarding project. It requires attention to detail—especially with watering and feeding—but the daily payoff of new, cheerful flowers is more than worth the effort. By choosing the right container, placing it in a sunny spot, and following these care steps, you’ll create a stunning aerial display that will be the envy of your neighborhood and a joy for you all season long. Remember, the key ingredients are sun, consistent moisture, and a little bit of guidance for those eager vines.