Try for Free
tab list
PictureThis
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Svenska
Polskie
ภาษาไทย
Bahasa Melayu
Bahasa Indonesia
PictureThis
Search
Search Plants
Try for Free
Global
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Svenska
Polskie
ภาษาไทย
Bahasa Melayu
Bahasa Indonesia
This page looks better in the app
picturethis icon
Instantly identify plants with a snap
Snap a photo for instant plant ID, gaining quick insights on disease prevention, treatment, toxicity, care, uses, and symbolism, etc.
Download the App for Free picturethis icon
Continue Reading
Mexican morning glory
Also known as: Heavenly blue morning glory, Morning Glory, Morning Glory 'Heavenly Blue'
This vining annual, the mexican morning glory, is a great climber for trellises, with heart-shaped leaves and showy blue blooms. Morning glories get their name because they open in the morning and close in the brighter afternoon light.
Instantly identify plants with a snap
Snap a photo for instant plant ID, gaining quick insights on disease prevention, treatment, toxicity, care, uses, and symbolism, etc.
Download the App for Free
Toxic to Pets
Toxicity
Annual, Perennial, Biennial
Lifespan
Herb, Vine
Plant Type
Summer, Fall
Bloom Time
2 m to 4 m
Plant Height
Blue, White, Purple, Pink, Red
Flower Color
Semi-evergreen
Leaf type
20 - 35 ℃
Ideal Temperature
Summer, Fall
Growth Season
Rapid
Growth Rate

Images of Mexican morning glory

Distribution of Mexican morning glory

Distribution Map
Mexican morning glory is native to Central and South America and is cultivated in various regions worldwide. Its introduced range spans across Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, parts of the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Oceania, and other regions of the Americas. The plant's adaptability to different climates has facilitated its spread beyond its original range.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Introduced
No species reported
Discover plant distribution and habitat
Gain insights into where plants thrive and how they adapt, helping you identify, cultivate, and protect them with essential information on habitats, distribution maps, and climate trends.
Download the App for Free
Habitat
Scrub and waste places
Hemisphere Trend Curve

Cultivars

There are several recognized cultivars of Mexican morning glory, including the following common varieties :

Toxicity

Mexican morning glory has a mild level of toxicity, primarily through seed ingestion. Indole alkaloids in the seeds can cause symptoms such as gastrointestinal disturbances, neurological issues, and hallucinations in humans, cats, and dogs. Prompt veterinary care is essential for pets if ingestion is suspected. The plant’s seeds are particularly toxic and attractive to children and pets.
Identify toxic plants in your garden
Find out what’s toxic and what’s safe for humans and pets.
Download the App for Free
RELATED: Toxicity of Mexican morning glory

Weed Control

Mexican morning glory, commonly known as Mexican morning glory, originates from the regions of tropical Central and South America. Its weed-like characteristics come from its highly adaptive nature, allowing it to flourish in various environments. What distinguishes mexican morning glory as a weed is primarily its capability to multiply and spread rapidly via a profuse seed production system. These seeds, when mature, can be indiscriminately scattered by the wind, allowing it to invade new spaces effortlessly. In a garden setting, mexican morning glory can become particularly harmful due to its climbing nature, where it can overcover and suffocate other plants, robbing them of essential sunlight. It can also dominate the nutrient uptake, depriving other plants and causing imbalance in the ecosystem. If you choose to cultivate this plant in your garden, look out for uncontrolled spread and growth overwhelming other plants. Overall, its ability to reproduce quickly, spread over large areas, and choke out other plants contribute to its weed status. Remember, its primary means of spread is through wind dispersal of its seeds.
How to Control It
To manage mexican morning glory effectively, it's crucial to control this plant before it sets seed, which typically happens by late summer into early fall. Here are some steps to control mexican morning glory:
  1. Manual removal: Put on some gardening gloves and pull the mexican morning glory plants out of the ground, ensuring to get the roots to prevent regrowth. Do this early in the morning when the soil is moist and roots are easier to remove.
  2. Mulching: Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around desired plants to suppress the growth of mexican morning glory by blocking sunlight and preventing seed germination.
  3. Dense planting: Cultivate other plants closely together to crowd out mexican morning glory seedlings by limiting space and resources, thereby controlling its spread.
  4. Trimming: Regularly trim back mexican morning glory vines that overreach their space to keep them from taking over garden beds and prevent seed formation.
  5. Boiling water: Pour boiling water carefully over mexican morning glory seedlings to kill them without using chemicals. This method is immediate but should be used with caution to avoid harming nearby plants.
Identify toxic plants in your garden
Find out what’s toxic and what’s safe for humans and pets.
Download the App for Free

Quickly Identify Mexican morning glory

1
Heart-shaped leaves, 1-3 inches long, pubescent for a fuzzy texture.
2
Funnel/trumpet-shaped flowers, 1.2-3.5 inches long, vibrant colors with white tubes.
3
Twining green stems, 0.1-0.2 inches thick, smooth and hairless.
4
Dry capsule fruit, 0.3-0.4 inches long, toxic black seeds with textured surface.
5
Versatile annual vine, 8-10 feet tall, purple/pink/blue/white trumpet flowers.
Identify plants with a snap
Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.
Download the App for Free
RELATED: How to identify Mexican morning glory

Care Guide for Mexican morning glory

Every week
Water
Full sun
Sunlight
20 - 35 ℃
Ideal Temperature
Garden Soil
Soil Type
Water: Mexican morning glory thrives in tropical climates, requiring consistent hydration and evenly moist soil. Weekly watering is ideal, avoiding overwatering or drought. Grown outdoors, mexican morning glory benefits from ample sunlight and rain, making it a vibrant addition to suitable gardens.
Fertilize: For optimal bloom in mexican morning glory, use high phosphorus fertilizers every two weeks during growing seasons, adjusting to monthly in dormancy. Apply cautiously at one teaspoon per gallon of soil, ensuring even incorporation without direct root contact to promote robust health and vibrant displays.
Pruning: Mexican morning glory thrives with regular pruning to foster vibrant blooms and vigorous growth. Best performed in early to late spring, techniques include removing dead stems and thinning congested areas. Proper pruning promotes healthy development, enhances appearance, and mitigates disease risks.
Propagation: Propagate mexican morning glory by sowing healthy seeds in a well-draining soil mix. Provide a sunny location and maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging during germination. Transplant seedlings with care once they have true leaves, ensuring regular watering and occasional feeding for strong growth.
Get tips and tricks for your plants.
Keep your plants happy and healthy with our guide to watering, lighting, feeding and more.
Download the App for Free
RELATED: How to Grow and Care for Mexican morning glory
Plant disease auto-diagnose & prevention
AI-powered plant doctor helps you diagnose plant problems in seconds.
Download the App for Free
close
close
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
product icon
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
product icon
Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
ad
Botanist in your pocket
qrcode
PictureThis Ios DownloadPictureThis Android Download
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app