Perennial Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica): Invasive Beauty

A gardener sought "perennial morning glory" seeds, heard they don't survive in the North, and lives in Zone 7.

The Plant: Ipomoea indica (Blue Dawn Flower)

• True perennial in Zones 9–11 (tropical/subtropical).
• Zone 8: Dies to ground, resprouts spring.
• Zone 7: Annual. Killed by winter. May self-sow.
• Flowers: 3–4" blue-purple trumpets, dawn to midday. Spectacular.
• Growth: 20–30+ ft/year. Rampant.
• Propagation: Tubers, stem cuttings, layering. Not typically from seed.

Invasiveness Warning

Listed as noxious/invasive in FL, GA, TX, CA, HI, and others. Check your state Dept. of Agriculture before planting. It smothers natives, structures, trees.

Sources (If Legal in Your State)

• Logee's: Ipomoea indica (plants, not seeds)
• Specialty tropical vine nurseries.
• Not in mainstream seed catalogs.

Other "Perennial Morning Glories"

• Ipomoea alba (Moon Vine): White, night-blooming, fragrant. Zone 9+ perennial; Zone 7 annual.
• Ipomoea trichocarpa: Less showy, also invasive.
• Convolvulus cneorum (Bush Morning Glory): Silvery shrub, white flowers. Zone 8–10. Not a vine.

Zone 7 Strategy

Grow Ipomoea indica as a container annual. Large pot, trellis, overwinter indoors (bright, cool, 50°F). Or enjoy as a fast annual vine from spring-planted tubers/cuttings.

Don't expect perennial performance in Zone 7. Check legality. Contain it.