Hardiness Zone: 10b
Thanks,
Marisa from Santa Maria, CA
Yes! Growing morning glories in containers is an easy way to avoid the potential of a hostile takeover in your garden. Moonflowers are not considered as invasive as morning glories, but they also grow well in pots. In fact, I would recommend planting some of each (4 to 5 seeds) together in the same pot. When the daytime blooms of the morning glories fade, the moonflower blooms will replace them in the evening.
There is some debate over whether or not morning glory roots grow best in shallow or deep containers. I have grown them in shallow planter boxes as well as deep containers. They have done equally well in both. The most important thing is that you give them something to climb on. It doesn't need to be a heavy-duty support, just make sure you have it in place before you sow your seeds.
Also, exercise caution when fertilizing. A little compost or a slow release organic fertilizer mixed in with a quality soil is all you need. Too much fertilizer, and you'll get lots of green and very few flowers. I don't use any on mine.
Moonflowers and morning glories are related and have similar growing requirements. Give them full sun and moist (not wet), well-drained soil. Remember that containers tend to dry out quickly, so check their moisture levels often.
Ellen
I recently moved to an older home with a large but not well-cared-for back yard. Aside from cutting back some wild plants and digging weeds, I have not done much to it, yet. It appears that I have some (well-more than some) morning glories growing along the ground. I would like to dig these up and put them in hanging planters.
I have several questions about growing them in hanging pots. Will the plants survive transplanting? Will they hang down instead of growing up if I do not put a trellis in the pot? Are they self-seeding? (I assume since they really are considered weeds by some that they do spread by themselves). I have included a picture. If these are not morning glories does anyone know what they are?
By BeaC from San Francisco, CA
I don't think you really want to do this. Field Bindweed is the more common name for the little white morning glory plants and they will take over the world if you let them. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to hang out in your baskets, but you'll have quite a time getting them out eventually.
Will morning glories grow in containers on a deck?