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Morning Glory Heavenly Blue

Ipomoea tricolor 'Heavenly Blue'

A blue flower with green leaves on a black background

This vigorous climbing vine produces stunning sky-blue trumpet-shaped flowers with white throats that open fresh each morning, creating a spectacular living curtain of color. The heart-shaped leaves provide excellent coverage for fences, trellises, or arbors, while the 4-5 inch blooms attract hummingbirds and butterflies throughout the summer. This All-America Selections winner has been beloved by gardeners since 1966 for its reliable performance and breathtaking color.

Harvest

65-75d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–12

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

8-10 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Morning Glory Heavenly Blue in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Morning Glory Heavenly Blue · Zones 2–12

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing6-12 inches

SoilWell-drained, average to poor soil

pH6.0-7.5

WaterModerate, drought tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season

FlavorNot edible - seeds are toxic

ColorSky blue with white throats

Size4-5 inch diameter blooms

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Succession Planting

Morning glory blooms continuously on a single planting from mid-summer through first frost, so there's no need to stagger sowings the way you would with lettuce or radishes. Direct sow once the soil hits 65°F — usually April through early June in zone 7 — and nick or soak the seeds for 8-12 hours beforehand to speed germination past that 5-14 day window. One sowing per season is enough; the vine keeps flowering as long as it's alive and the days stay long.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet, 12-24 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

The fruit is a dehiscent dry capsule. The small, black seeds are poisonous. To plant the seeds, nick the hard seed coat and soak overnight.

Type: Capsule.

History & Origin

Ipomoea tricolor 'Heavenly Blue' emerged from the broader morning glory breeding efforts of the mid-twentieth century, though precise documentation of its original breeder remains elusive. The variety belongs to the Ipomoea tricolor species, native to Mexico, which provided the genetic foundation for numerous cultivated varieties. 'Heavenly Blue' gained recognition when it received the All-America Selections award in 1966, cementing its status among American gardeners. While the specific breeding program responsible for its development is not clearly recorded in readily available horticultural literature, the cultivar represents the era's focused work on producing reliable, vibrant flowering vines with superior ornamental qualities suited to American gardens.

Origin: Mexico

Advantages

+Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds
+Fast-growing

Considerations

-Toxic (Seeds): Low severity
-High maintenance

Companion Plants

Nasturtiums pull double duty here — they lure aphids away from the morning glory and tolerate that abuse better than Ipomoea does. Marigolds, specifically Tagetes patula, add nematode suppression through root secretions, which matters in beds that have grown other susceptible annuals before. Sunflowers and cosmos give the vine something to climb without putting up a fight belowground — their root systems don't overlap aggressively at the 6-to-12-inch spacing morning glory prefers. Keep mint out; it travels by rhizome and will muscle into the root zone within one season. Black walnut (Juglans nigra) produces juglone, and Ipomoea tricolor is sensitive enough to it that even runoff from walnut roots — which can extend well past the tree's drip line — can stunt or kill nearby plantings.

Plant Together

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting morning glories

Marigolds

Repels nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Peas

Similar growing conditions and climbing habits, both fix nitrogen in soil

Sunflowers

Provides sturdy support structure for morning glory vines to climb

Cosmos

Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, complementary flowering periods

Zinnias

Attracts butterflies and beneficial insects, similar water and sun requirements

Cardinal Climber

Compatible climbing vine with similar care needs, extends flowering season

Sweet Alyssum

Ground cover that attracts beneficial insects and doesn't compete for climbing space

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill morning glories

Mint

Aggressive spreading habit competes for nutrients and space, can overtake morning glory roots

Eucalyptus

Allelopathic compounds in leaves and roots inhibit germination and growth of nearby plants

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Generally disease resistant

Common Pests

Aphids, leaf miners, flea beetles

Diseases

Leaf spot, rust, stem rot in overly wet conditions

Troubleshooting Morning Glory Heavenly Blue

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Leaves stippled or curling, with sticky residue on stems and undersides of foliage

Likely Causes

Aphid colonies (commonly Aphis gossypii or Myzus persicae) — they cluster fast on new growth
Stressed or over-fertilized plants, which produce the soft tissue aphids prefer

What to Do

1.Blast them off with a hard stream of water from the hose — do this in the morning so foliage dries before evening
2.If the infestation persists after 3-4 days, apply insecticidal soap directly to the colonies
3.Lay off high-nitrogen fertilizer; lush, soft growth draws aphids in

Irregular pale tunnels or winding white trails etched into the surface of the leaves

Likely Causes

Leaf miners (Liriomyza species) — the larvae feed between the upper and lower leaf surfaces
Heavy pressure is more common mid-summer when adult fly populations peak

What to Do

1.Pick off and trash the worst-affected leaves — don't compost them, the larvae are still inside
2.Spinosad spray can knock back adult flies before they lay; apply in the evening to avoid harming pollinators
3.Row cover works as prevention if you've had bad leaf miner pressure in previous years, though on a vine this size it gets awkward fast

Stem at or near soil level looks water-soaked, dark, or pinched; plant wilts and doesn't recover even after watering

Likely Causes

Stem rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani or Pythium species — both thrive in waterlogged, poorly drained soil
Overwatering or planting in a low spot that holds rain

What to Do

1.Pull the plant — there's no saving a vine with a rotted stem base
2.Before replanting, amend the bed with coarse grit or perlite to improve drainage, and raise the planting area if needed
3.Water at the base only, and let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings once the vine is established

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Morning Glory Heavenly Blue take to bloom?▼

Morning Glory Heavenly Blue typically begins blooming 65-75 days after planting, or about 10-12 weeks from seed. In most climates, expect first flowers in mid to late summer if planted after the last frost. Starting seeds indoors can advance blooming by 2-3 weeks.

Can you grow Morning Glory Heavenly Blue in containers?▼

Yes, but use a large container (minimum 20 gallons) with a sturdy trellis or support system. The vigorous vines can overwhelm small pots and will need consistent watering since containers dry out faster. Choose a location with morning sun and some afternoon protection in hot climates.

Is Morning Glory Heavenly Blue poisonous to dogs and cats?▼

Yes, all parts of Morning Glory Heavenly Blue are toxic to dogs, cats, and humans. The seeds contain the highest concentration of toxic compounds. Symptoms of ingestion include nausea, vomiting, and hallucinations. Plant away from areas where pets and children play.

Why won't my Morning Glory Heavenly Blue bloom?▼

The most common cause is too much nitrogen fertilizer, which promotes leaf growth over flowers. Morning glories bloom best in poor to average soil. Other causes include insufficient sunlight (needs 6+ hours), overwatering, or planting seeds without nicking the hard seed coat first.

When should I plant Morning Glory Heavenly Blue seeds?▼

Plant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperature reaches 65°F. In most areas, this is 2-3 weeks after the average last frost date. For earlier blooms, start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost, but use biodegradable pots to avoid root disturbance.

How do you stop Morning Glory from spreading everywhere?▼

Deadhead spent flowers before seed pods form to prevent self-sowing. Install root barriers around planting areas, and pull any volunteer seedlings promptly in spring. In warm climates, treat as an annual by removing all plant material before seeds mature and drop.