Mile a minute vine
Ipomoea cairica · Convolvulaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around mile a minute vine and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Cairo Morning Glory, Egyptian Morning Glory
- Family
- Convolvulaceae
- Type
- Perennial climbing plant
- Foliage
- Persistent to semi-persistent
- Flowering
- Spring to autumn, mauve or pink flowers
- Adult size
- 3 to 5 m in length
- Hardiness
- Cold-sensitive (frost-tender in temperate climates)
- Origin
- North Africa (Egypt, Mediterranean basin)
Care
Exposure
Place your plant in full sun for abundant flowering, with a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It tolerates partial shade but flowers less generously. Protect it from strong winds that can damage its supple stems.
Watering
Water regularly during active growth, keeping the substrate moist but not waterlogged. In winter or cool periods, reduce watering to prevent root rot. Prefer watering at the base rather than overhead.
Soil and drainage
Use light, well-draining potting mix enriched with compost. Morning glory appreciates fertile soil but dreads waterlogging: a light mix facilitates growth. Improve drainage in pots with a layer of gravel at the base.
Fertilising
Apply balanced fertiliser every 2 to 3 weeks during the growing season (spring-summer). Excess nitrogen favours foliage at the expense of flowers; choose a formula richer in phosphorus to encourage flowering.
Pruning and structure
Prune lightly after flowering to discipline growth and encourage a compact habit. Remove dead or tangled stems. In cold climates, cut back frost-damaged parts in spring and you'll enjoy vigorous regrowth.
Pests and diseases
Watch for aphids and red spider mites, especially in dry or confined environments. In excess humidity, leaf spots may appear: improve ventilation and reduce overhead watering. No major diseases if growing conditions are respected.
Did you know?
Ipomea cairica owes its scientific epithet 'cairica' to its region of origin, Cairo and the Nile. Despite its potential toxicity to livestock (containing alkaloids), it is widely cultivated as an ornamental in the Mediterranean and tropical zones for its spectacular pink-mauve flowers that bloom in the morning light—hence its English name 'Moonflower vine'.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- Field bindweedConvolvulus arvensis
- Hedge bindweedCalystegia sepium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.