About
A tender, tuberous trailing evergreen perennial, with stems to around 30cm; it is normally grown as an annual. Leaves are heart-shaped to three-lobed and bright, but light green. Grown for its foliage.
About the genus
Ipomoea can be annuals or perennials, often twining, or evergreen shrubs, with simple, lobed or dissected leaves and tubular or funnel-shaped flowers which may be solitary or borne in racemes or panicles
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Sand, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeHouseplants, Bedding, Annual Biennial
HabitTrailing, Bushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Hanging basket, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
ToxicityHarmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a peat-free multipurpose compost in containers, or in the open, in a rich well-drained soil in sun or part shade
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings or from 'slips' - long shoots removed from the tubers
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free