How to Get Rid of Morning Glory
Morning glory (Ipomoea spp.) is a fast-growing, twining vine that can take over garden beds, climb fences and shrubs, and spread aggressively through disturbed soil. Its deep taproot and extensive root system store enough energy to regenerate from root fragments, which makes it one of the harder garden weeds to eliminate completely. Effective control requires a systemic herbicide that reaches the root system, combined with persistence through the inevitable regrowth cycles.
Identifying Morning Glory
Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis): Often confused with true morning glory, field bindweed is a perennial vine with smaller, arrowhead-shaped leaves and small pink or white funnel-shaped flowers. It is one of the most invasive and persistent weeds in US gardens and is particularly difficult to kill because of its deep, extensive root system that can extend 20 feet into the soil.
Annual morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea and related species): True morning glories are typically annual vines planted ornamentally, with large, heart-shaped leaves and showy purple, blue, pink, or white funnel-shaped flowers 2 to 3 inches across. When they escape garden beds, they spread readily from seed and can become weedy.
The control approach differs between these two. Field bindweed, being perennial with a deep root system, is much harder to eradicate than annual morning glory.
Herbicide Control
Glyphosate (Non-Selective)
Glyphosate (Roundup and generic formulations) is absorbed through green foliage and translocates systemically to the root system, providing the deepest root kill available in a consumer herbicide. It is the most effective single product for morning glory and field bindweed control, but it is non-selective, it kills any plant it contacts, including desirable ornamentals, shrubs, and grass.
Application: Apply as a directed spray or with a foam applicator or brush to the vine foliage, avoiding contact with desirable plants. For vines climbing through shrubs or trees, cut the vine at the base and apply glyphosate concentrate to the cut stem immediately using a foam brush or cut-stump applicator bottle.
Regrowth: Glyphosate on field bindweed typically causes top-growth dieback within one to two weeks. Regrowth from root fragments occurs within four to six weeks. Multiple applications over one to two seasons are required for meaningful suppression of well-established bindweed populations.
Triclopyr (Selective Broadleaf Herbicide)
Triclopyr (Ortho Brush-B-Gon, Garlon) provides systemic broadleaf weed control and is effective on morning glory and field bindweed while being safer around established grass than glyphosate. It is a better choice for controlling morning glory that is growing through or near turf areas where grass damage from glyphosate is a concern.
Application: Apply as a foliar spray to actively growing vines. A non-ionic surfactant improves adhesion on the leaf surface. Apply when vines are at least 6 to 12 inches tall and actively growing.
2,4-D Plus Triclopyr Combinations
In turf areas where morning glory is invading from bed edges, broadleaf herbicide products containing both 2,4-D and triclopyr provide systemic activity on the vine while leaving turfgrasses unharmed. This combination is safer for lawn-adjacent applications than glyphosate.
Timing
Spring and early summer: Apply when morning glory vines are actively growing and have enough leaf area for good herbicide uptake. Young, rapidly growing vines absorb systemic herbicides more efficiently than mature or stressed plants.
Late summer and fall: Field bindweed moving nutrients toward root storage in fall is also a favorable timing for systemic herbicide treatment, as the herbicide is transported along with photosynthates moving to the roots.
Avoid application during drought stress or heat over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, reduced metabolic activity limits herbicide translocation.
Manual Removal
Manual removal of morning glory is a high-labor but chemical-free approach that works best on annual morning glory species and on small, recently established field bindweed patches.
For annual morning glory: Pull seedlings early, before they set seed. Once seed is produced, the next season’s population is already established in the soil.
For field bindweed: Pulling is not effective for eradication because the deep root system breaks during pulling and each fragment regenerates. Consistent pulling removes top growth and gradually depletes root energy reserves over multiple seasons, but this approach requires years of commitment and is most practical for small, isolated patches. Never till field bindweed, tilling fragments the root system and multiplies the infestation.
Preventing Re-Establishment
Morning glory seeds remain viable in the soil for several years. After successful top-growth control, new seedlings will emerge from the existing seed bank in subsequent seasons. A pre-emergent herbicide applied in early spring can prevent new morning glory seedlings from establishing while the existing root system is being depleted through repeated herbicide treatment.
For bed areas adjacent to lawn, a 3 to 4 inch mulch layer suppresses morning glory seedling emergence effectively. Refresh mulch annually to maintain depth.
Realistic Expectations
Field bindweed is one of the most difficult garden weeds to fully eradicate. A single-season treatment program will suppress and weaken the plant but rarely eliminates it. A realistic two to three season program combining:
- Spring application of glyphosate or triclopyr to emerging vines
- Follow-up applications every four to six weeks as regrowth appears
- Pre-emergent or mulching to suppress seedling establishment from the seed bank
…produces meaningful population reduction. Complete elimination from a heavily infested area may require three or more seasons of consistent treatment.