Ipomoea tricolor aka Heavenly Blue Morning Glory

Taxonomy

Ipomoea tricolor, also known as the Mexican morning glory or simply morning glory, is a beautiful flowering plant in the Convolvulaceae family. Native to the tropical regions of the Americas, it has been widely cultivated and naturalized in various parts of the world. This herbaceous plant can either be an annual or a perennial twining liana, reaching heights of 2-4 meters. Its leaves are arranged spirally and measure 3-7 cm in length, with a petiole ranging from 1.5 to 6 cm. The trumpet-shaped flowers are the highlight of this plant, typically 4-9 cm in diameter, and often seen in shades of blue with a white to golden yellow center. One particular variety, known as 'Heavenly Blue,' is an annual with heart-shaped leaves and deep sky-blue flowers that can reach up to 8 cm in size. These flowers have white throats, adding to their allure. Additionally, it is worth noting that 'Heavenly Blue' and several other morning glory species contain ergine. This adaptable and resilient liana is a popular choice for ornamental purposes. It can be grown indoors, provided it has something to grab onto, and will add a touch of beauty to your walls with its violet flowers. Commonly referred to as the Mexican Morning Glory, it originates from central and south America. As a fast-growing annual liana, it is most admired for its trumpet-shaped flowers, which exhibit petals in shades of purple and blue, forming a stunning five-pointed star with a vibrant yellow center. These blossoms grace the plant during the spring and summer, opening in the morning and closing at dawn, possibly inspiring the name Morning Glory.

Common names

Heavenly Blue Morning Glory, Morning Glory, Pearly Gates

How to care for Heavenly Blue Morning Glory

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Heavenly Blue Morning Glory is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Heavenly Blue Morning Glory should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Heavenly Blue Morning Glory loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Heavenly Blue Morning Glory requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Morning Glory is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Heavenly Blue Morning Glory to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Heavenly Blue Morning Glory is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Humidity

The Heavenly Blue Morning Glory does not need extra humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their root system, making soil watering the best way to provide humidity to your plants.

Region of origin

Heavenly Blue Morning Glory’s native range is Worldwide.


More info:
Wikipedia