Photo: Issao ShinobeCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Morning Glory Plant Care
Distimake tuberosus (L.) A.R.Simões & Staples
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's unique feature is its striking variegated leaves with shades of green and white. Originating from Central and South America, Distimake tuberosus is highly sought after by plant collectors for its beautiful foliage and low maintenance requirements, making it a perfect addition to any indoor garden.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–75°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Morning Glory?
Water Morning Glory every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–75°F (18–24°C) and 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Morning Glory Native To?
What Is the Morning Glory?
Morning Glory (Distimake tuberosus) belongs to the Convolvulaceae family within the Distimake genus. Morning Glory is native to the Americas, from Florida and Texas to Brazil.
Morning Glory displays a vining, trailing growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Morning Glory produces showy trumpet-shaped flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Morning Glory?
Distimake tuberosus requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Morning Glory Need?
Morning Glory thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Morning Glory Prefer?
Distimake tuberosus grows best at temperatures of 65–75°F. Morning Glory prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–75°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Morning Glory?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Morning Glory to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Morning Glory?
Feed Morning Glory every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Morning Glory?
Repot annually in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Morning Glory?
Morning Glory can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to egyptian star plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Morning Glory Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Morning Glory?
Morning Glory is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Morning Glory Need?
Morning Glory grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Morning Glory is native to the Americas, from Florida and Texas to Brazil. In cooler regions, grow Morning Glory as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9b – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Morning Glory is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Distimake genus — compare its care with other Distimake species on PlantoScan.
Distimake is part of the Convolvulaceae plant family — browse all Convolvulaceae genera and species.
Morning Glory thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Distimake tuberosus (L.) A.R.Simões & Staples, family Convolvulaceae (first published in Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 183(4): 577. 2017 [17 Apr 2017] [epublished]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Morning Glory is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Issao Shinobe, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9b – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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