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Ipomoea, dazzling blue blooms as deep as the universe

Neon blue flower and plant in part shade
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Ipomoea indica is a very cute climbing vine with abundant and spectacular blooms.

Important Ipomoea facts

NameIpomoea indica
Family – Convolvulaceae
Type – climbing vine, annual

Height
 – 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6 meters)
Exposure – full sun
Soil – rich enough

Foliage
 – deciduous
Flowering – June to November

Although it can be quite invasive, ipomoea requires very little care and will quickly satisfy you whether in the garden or on a terrace.

Planting ipomoea

In tropical environments it grows as a perennial, but in colder latitudes it grows as an annual. It won’t grow back from the same plant year after year.

Sow under cover starting from the month of March, transplant in April and plant in the ground starting from the month of May in a blend of earth, soil mix and organic soil conditioner.

  • Soak the seeds in lukewarm water for 1 hour before sowing to trigger sprouting.
  • It’s also possible to sow directly in the ground starting in mid-May but blooming will only occur much later, which is a bit sad for an annual plant.
  • Place Ipomoea indica in a very sunny spot.
  • Place it next to a spot that is often used like a terrace, to fully take advantage of its beautiful blooming.

Growing ipomoea in pots

Growing ipomoea in pots is perfectly possible and it even makes a lot of sense to decorate a terrace or balcony.

  • For that, select a pot that is wide enough, about 12 inches (30 cm).
  • Ensure that the bottom of the pot has a hole in it and ideally pour a bed of clay pebbles along the bottom.
  • Fill the pot up with flower plant soil mix.
  • Water as soon as the surface soil is dry without flooding the plant.

Pruning and caring for ipomoea

Ipomoea has the advantage of being very easy to care for and only requires very little attention.

Pruning ipomoea

It doesn’t need any pruning because ipomoea only lives for a year.

If however it starts spreading too far, you can simply cut off a few stems whenever you feel it needs to be reduced.

Watering ipomoea

Watering an ipomoea flowerIpomoea must be watered often, especially in case of elevated temperature.

Mulch along the foot of it will help keep the moisture in after having watered, and thus reduces the frequency that you’ll need to do it.

The more you water, the more ipomoea will spread and bloom.

All there is to know about ipomoea

The growth of this plant is very quick: it can reach 3 to 6 meters within a couple weeks. It’s sometimes called oceanblue morning glory.

Landscaping with ipomoea is easy, since it grows both across the ground and up a latticeIt has the advantage of twining and so will attach to lattices, fences or other objects on its own.

Its blooming is abundant and its flowers form nice trumpets. Their lifespan is quite short, but they will tirelessly re-seed themselves.

Regular but moderate watering is advised during the blooming.

Smart tip about ipomoea

Think to water it in the evening to reduce evaporation and thus save on water which is a rare resource.


Image credits (edits Gaspard Lorthiois):
CC BY 2.0: Denis Bourez, Bob Peterson
CC BY 4.0: Kim & Forest Starr
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  • Louise Mulliner wrote on 14 August 2022 at 21 h 45 min

    I have Ipemea kiss me quick. They grow but do not flower.Any suggestions?

    • Gaspard wrote on 22 August 2022 at 8 h 52 min

      Hi Louise, usually ipomoea flowers best in full sun. If yours isn’t getting enough sun, try to train it to reach a spot where it will have lots of direct sun. Also, it tends to bloom a bit later during the season, mid-to-late summer. It isn’t a spring plant, so your blooms might still be coming.

      • Louise wrote on 22 August 2022 at 14 h 19 min

        Thankyou. I am growing these on Crete,where it is extremely sunny and hot. I water well. Maybe they will flower towards Autumn.