Many gardeners love the beautiful climbing vines morning glories, but it’s not always clear if they can grow in shady spots. I’ll tell you everything you need to know about growing morning glories in shade and help you decide if they’ll do well in your garden.
The Quick Answer
Even though morning glories can grow in the shade, they do grow and bloom best in full sun. They can handle some shade, but they’ll do best with at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight every day.
Types of Shade Morning Glories Can Handle
Not all shade is created equal! Here’s how morning glories fare in different shade conditions
- Full shade: Morning glories will struggle here with no direct sunlight
- Partial shade: Can work if they get 4-6 hours of sun daily
- Dappled shade: Does well under scattered tree canopies
- Morning sun/afternoon shade: Often ideal for these plants
Why Morning Glories Can Grow in Shade
These hardy vines have several adaptations that help them handle shadier spots:
- Natural habitat adaptation: They evolved to grow in woodland areas
- Shallow root systems: Helps them get nutrients from top soil layers
- Large leaf surface area: Maximizes light absorption
- Light-sensitive blooms: Flowers adapt to different light conditions
Tips for Growing Morning Glories in Shade
If you’re planning to grow morning glories in a shadier spot, here’s what I recommend:
Soil Requirements
- Use well-draining soil
- pH between 6.0-7.0
- Add organic matter and compost
- Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
Fertilizer Needs
- Use balanced fertilizer (10-10-10)
- Apply in early spring
- Reapply after flowering
- Don’t overfertilize!
Maintenance Tips
- Regular pruning after blooming
- Remove dead/diseased branches
- Keep an eye out for pests (especially aphids and slugs)
- Watch for fungal issues in shady spots
Best Morning Glory Varieties for Shade
Some varieties handle shade better than others Here are my top picks
- Heavenly Blue – Tolerates up to 4 hours of shade
- Moonflower – Can handle 3 hours of shade
- Flying Saucers – Does well with 2-3 hours of shade
Common Problems When Growing in Shade
Watch out for these issues
- Fewer blooms
- Leggy growth
- Increased moisture-related diseases
- Slower growth rate
- Delayed flowering
Final Thoughts
While morning glories can grow in shade, they’re not gonna give you their best show without decent sunlight. If you’ve got a partially shaded spot that gets some morning sun, go for it! But if you’re dealing with deep shade, you might wanna look at other shade-loving vines instead.
Remember, gardening is often about experimenting and finding what works in your specific space. Don’t be afraid to try growing morning glories in different spots until you find their happy place!
Got questions about growing morning glories in your specific garden situation? Drop ’em in the comments below!
Expert Guide To Growing Morning Glories With Real Staying Power
If you’re growing morning glories for the first time you will delight in their beauty. These plants are loved for their beauty and their unmatched ability to attract pollinators. They have lots of bright flowers all summer long.
We often suggest proceeding with caution when it comes to adding morning glories to ornamental beds. The plant has a propensity to spread, and in many cases, becomes invasive. Learning more about various species of common “morning glories” will help growers to better understand the plant’s growth and help you decide whether it’s a good choice for your garden space.
Quick Morning Glory Facts:
Botanical name – Ipomoea
Height – 6-10 ft. (1.8-3.0 m.)
Spread – 6-10 ft. (1.8-3.0 m.)
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Soil requirements – Neutral, Well-Draining
Hardiness zones – Annual
When to plant – Spring
How to Grow Morning Glories in a Pot
Though the plant is not suited to life indoors, growing morning glories in pots outside is a good choice for those with limited space. Dwarf varieties grow best, though most any type is suitable to container culture.
Selection of a pot and growing medium is key, as good drainage is essential. The plants will also require a secured, sturdy trellis or support system, allowing for potted specimens to climb naturally.
Can Morning Glory Grow In Shade? – The Plant Enthusiast
FAQ
What are the disadvantages of morning glories?
To farmers and home gardeners, morning glories are sometimes considered a pest. One species, Ipomoea aquatic, is classified by the U. S. Department of Agriculture as a noxious weed. Consequently, in the U. S. it is unlawful to import, grow, sell or possess it without a permit.
How many hours of sun does morning glory need?
Light. Planting your morning glory in a spot that gets full sun is especially important. The flowers will only open in direct sunlight, so the longest bloom time will come from being in full sun every day for at least six to eight hours.
Do morning glories like pots or ground?
Morning glories prefer a pot or container that is 10 to 12 inches in diameter and about 6 inches deep. Look for a pot that has drainage holes in the base. They prefer soil that has excellent drainage so choosing a pot with holes in the bottom is a great first step.
What climbing flowers grow in shade?
Several climbing plants thrive in shady conditions, offering foliage and flowers for vertical interest. Clematis, climbing hydrangea, honeysuckle, ivy, and star jasmine are excellent choices.
Do morning glory flowers grow in shade?
When it’s warm outside, morning glory flowers look great on large garden walls, fences, or trellises. This annual flowering vine, hardy in Zones 2-11, is grown from seeds and thrives wherever you plant it as long as it gets plenty of sun and a bit of afternoon shade.
Are morning glories easy to grow?
One good thing about morning glories is that they are pretty easy to grow. As long as you provide them with an excellent growing environment, including enough sunlight, they’ll rapidly grow and blossom. Morning glories won’t grow well in full shades; however, they can still tolerate light shades. Will morning glories grow anywhere?.
Do morning glories need shade?
In conclusion, morning glories need light shade to thrive. Filtered light, like that from trees, shrubs, or fabric shade, is the best kind of shade for morning glories. It’s also important to keep the soil moist but not soaked and to give the plants the right nutrients and fertilizer.
Do morning glories bloom in full sun?
As their name implies, morning glories have a limited bloom time. Shade stimulates the blossoms to shrivel, so planting morning glories in anything less than full sun means they will only bloom a fraction of the day. This greatly inhibits their ability to contribute to a showy flower garden.
Where do morning glory vines grow?
Morning glory, a flowering vine with purple, blue, and pink flowers, grows easily wherever you plant it as long as it gets plenty of sun and a bit of afternoon shade. This annual, hardy in Zones 2-11, is grown from seeds. It adds color to large walls, fences, or trellises in a vertical display of flowers.
Why do morning glory Bloom?
Their blooms are sensitive to intense sunlight. To protect themselves, morning glory produces flowers in shades of pink, red, purple, and white, which reflect and disperse sunlight rather than absorbing it. This adaptation enables them to remain cool, prevent damage from excessive heat and grow under shade.