Morning Glory plants, belonging to the genus Ipomoea, are recognized for their rapid, vigorous growth and large, trumpet-shaped flowers that open with the morning sun. While traditionally grown as climbing vines, cultivating them in a hanging basket showcases their beauty at eye level. This method requires careful preparation and specialized maintenance to manage the plant’s natural climbing habit within a restricted, elevated container. The reward is a dense, cascading display of foliage and brilliant color suited for a patio or balcony space.
Essential Preparation Before Planting
Selecting the appropriate cultivar is the first step toward a successful hanging basket display, as many common Morning Glory varieties are too aggressive for confined spaces. Standard Ipomoea tricolor types can quickly overwhelm a small container, so gardeners should seek out dwarf or compact varieties, such as those within Ipomoea nil, or specific trailing types bred for containers. If a standard variety is used, be prepared for constant, aggressive trimming.
The hanging basket should have a minimum diameter of 10 to 12 inches to provide adequate root space. Proper drainage is necessary, meaning the basket must have several holes at the bottom to prevent waterlogging and root rot. Use a lightweight, high-quality potting mix formulated for containers, as garden soil becomes compacted and heavy when wet, suffocating the roots.
The potting mix can be amended with perlite for aeration or with water-retaining crystals to mitigate the rapid drying inherent to suspended baskets. Morning Glory seeds possess a hard outer coat that inhibits germination, requiring preparation before planting. This tough barrier must be compromised through scarification, which involves gently nicking the seed coat with a small file or nail clippers. The nicked seeds should then be soaked in warm water overnight; this allows moisture to penetrate the embryo and increases the chances of successful sprouting.
Step-by-Step Guide to Sowing Seeds
Fill the hanging basket with the potting mix, ensuring the soil surface sits about one inch below the rim. This space provides a reservoir for water, preventing runoff during irrigation. Since the visual display relies on density, sow multiple seeds per basket, ideally between three and five, spaced evenly across the soil surface.
The seeds should be planted at a shallow depth, generally between one-quarter and one-half inch, and then lightly covered with the potting medium. Planting too deeply can exhaust the seedling’s stored energy reserves before it reaches the light, resulting in delayed or failed germination. Immediately after sowing, thoroughly water the soil to settle the mix around the seeds and initiate germination.
Use a gentle stream or misting nozzle during this initial watering to avoid dislodging the shallowly planted seeds. The basket should then be placed in a consistently warm location, ideally where air temperatures remain above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, receiving bright, indirect light. Once the young sprouts emerge from the soil, typically within seven to fourteen days, the basket can be transitioned to its final, sunnier location.
Long-Term Care for Hanging Baskets
Morning Glory plants require a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily to produce the highest quantity of blooms, making placement in a south or west-facing exposure generally optimal. The confined nature of a hanging basket causes the soil to dry out significantly faster than ground soil, necessitating a vigilant watering regimen. During the hottest summer months, it may be necessary to water the basket daily, or even twice a day, ensuring water flows freely from the drainage holes.
A simple way to gauge the moisture level is to lift the basket; a surprisingly light weight indicates dry soil that requires immediate attention. The frequent watering required by container gardening leaches nutrients from the potting mix at an accelerated rate, meaning a regular feeding schedule is mandatory. Start applying a balanced, water-soluble liquid fertilizer, diluted to half-strength, about every two weeks once the plants become established.
Managing the plant’s natural vining habit is the most unique maintenance requirement for a hanging basket display. To promote a full, bushy, and trailing form rather than long, sparse runners, the young vines must be regularly pinched back.
Pinching involves removing the soft, growing tip of the vine just above a set of leaves, which encourages the plant to branch out laterally. This stimulates the production of lateral buds, resulting in a denser canopy that cascades attractively over the edge of the container. Vines that attempt to climb can be gently woven around the hanger wires or allowed to drape naturally.