How to Grow Morning Glory 'Heavenly Blue'
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Morning Glory 'Heavenly Blue'
Ipomoea tricolor 'Heavenly Blue'
vineHeavenly Blue is a stunning annual climbing vine prized for its large, vibrant sky-blue trumpet-shaped flowers that open in the morning and close by afternoon. The heart-shaped green foliage provides an attractive backdrop to the prolific blooms that appear throughout the growing season. This fast-growing vine is perfect for covering trellises, fences, and arbors with both color and texture.
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Example Morning Glory 'Heavenly Blue' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Morning Glory 'Heavenly Blue'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Morning Glory 'Heavenly Blue'
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-11 as an annual; perennial in zones 9-11
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Germination
1-2 weeksSeeds sprout and first tiny leaves emerge from soil
Soak seeds overnight or nick seed coat to improve germination. Keep soil warm (70-80°F) and consistently moist. Germinates in 7-14 days.
Seedling & Vegetative
3-4 weeksSmall plants develop 2-4 true leaves and begin climbing habit; stems become stronger and more vigorous
Provide sturdy support or trellis early. Thin seedlings to proper spacing. Water regularly but avoid waterlogging. Begin light fertilizing with balanced fertilizer.
Flowering
8-12 weeks until frostAbundant sky-blue trumpet flowers appear along the vines, opening in early morning and closing by early afternoon
Flowers are ephemeral but new blooms appear continuously. Deadheading not necessary as flowers drop naturally. Maintain consistent watering and moderate fertilizing to sustain blooming.
Seed Production
4-6 weeksAfter flowers fade, small rounded seed pods develop along the vine if flowers are not removed
Allow some flowers to remain unharvested if you want to collect seeds for next year. Seeds mature in 4-6 weeks and turn brown when ready to harvest.
Decline & Frost Sensitivity
Until first frostVine loses vigor as temperatures cool in fall; first frost kills the entire plant
Enjoy blooms until frost. Collect seeds before the first hard freeze if desired. Remove dead vines from support in late fall or winter.
Common Pests
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Hand-pick beetles in early morning; use Japanese beetle traps away from plants; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap
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Increase humidity by misting foliage; spray with water to dislodge; use miticide if severe
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce beneficial insects
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Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap; apply neem oil; encourage ladybugs
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and
Hand-pick; create barriers with copper tape; use beer traps; apply diatomaceous earth
Uses
Traditional tea preparation
CulinaryIn some cultures, morning glory flowers are brewed into delicate herbal tea. The flowers have a subtle, slightly sweet flavor and can be used fresh or dried for infusions. [source]
Living shade and privacy screen
HouseholdThe vigorous vine growth quickly covers trellises, arbors, fences, and pergolas, providing natural shade and privacy screening while producing beautiful flowers throughout summer and early fall. [source]
Dried flower arrangements
CraftFresh morning glory flowers can be pressed or dried for use in botanical crafts, pressed flower art, and decorative arrangements, though they are more delicate than many dried flowers. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeHeavenly Blue flowers attract bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators to the garden, supporting beneficial insect populations and garden biodiversity. [source]
Traditional herbal remedy
MedicinalIn traditional medicine, morning glory seeds and roots have been used in various cultures for their purported properties, though modern scientific evidence is limited and seeds should not be ingested without expert guidance due to potential toxicity. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Morning Glory is grown for ornamental flowers rather than harvest. Flowers open at dawn and close by midday. For seed collection, allow a few seed pods to develop and mature on the vine until they turn brown (4-6 weeks after flowering). Harvest pods when dry and brown, extract seeds, and store in cool, dry conditions for next season. Seeds remain viable for 3-4 years.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Morning Glory flowers open precisely at dawn and close by early afternoon, following a circadian rhythm independent of light conditions—they'll open and close even in continuous darkness.
- 🌱 The name 'Heavenly Blue' perfectly describes its color: the flowers are a stunning sky-blue that becomes even more vibrant in morning sunlight and fades slightly as the day heats up.
- 🌱 A single Morning Glory plant can produce hundreds of flowers over a season, yet each flower lasts only one day, making the continuous bloom display particularly impressive and magical.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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