morning glory vine · Asked on Facebook · 5 November 2026
What is the name of this volunteer vine on my fence?
This looks like a volunteer morning glory vine (Ipomoea species), a common self‑seeding climber. Let it grow if you like flowering vines, but pull it out early if you don’t want it to spread.
The question
“What is the name of this plant please?? Thank you!”
What's likely going on
From the photo, the plant is a twining vine with soft, heart‑shaped leaves climbing up the fence on its own. That overall look strongly matches a morning glory vine (Ipomoea species), which often pops up from dropped or wind‑blown seed.
Because there are no flowers showing, it’s hard to say exactly which species or color it will be, but common ornamental and wild morning glories all have very similar leaves and growth habit.
Morning glories grow fast, wrap around anything they can, and usually bloom with funnel‑shaped flowers in the morning.
What to do
Decide if you want it.
- Want a quick flowering screen on the fence? You can keep it.
- Prefer a neat bed or are worried about it taking over? Remove it now before it seeds.
If keeping it, give it support.
- Add strings, wire, or a simple trellis along the fence so it can climb where you want it instead of tangling with nearby plants.
Water and feed lightly.
- Water when the top few centimeters of soil are dry.
- A light dose of balanced fertilizer once a month is enough; too much nitrogen makes lots of leaves but fewer flowers.
If removing it, pull it from the base.
- Loosen the soil and pull the main stem out, roots and all.
- Try to get it before it forms seed pods to prevent more seedlings.
How to prevent it
- Mulch bare soil to block new seedlings.
- Pull any new vines while they are small and easy to remove.
- If neighbors grow morning glories, expect an occasional volunteer from drifting seed.
When to worry
- Morning glories are not usually dangerous, but they can become weedy and smother other plants if left unchecked.
- If pets or children chew on garden plants, know that morning glory seeds can be toxic in large amounts, so avoid letting the plant go heavily to seed where they play.
Answered by the GrowPls assistant. Every plant and room is different; if things don't improve, a clear close-up photo of the affected part is the fastest way to a better answer.
Related questions
cucurbit vine (gourd/squash family)
What is this cucurbit vine growing wild on my trellis?
This looks like a cucurbit vine – something in the gourd/squash family, such as pumpkin, bottle gourd, or another edible squash – probably a volunteer from kitchen scraps or old compost. Let it flower and fruit to know exactly which one.
tomato
What plant is this seedling I planted?
The seedlings in the photo are tomato plants. Give them strong sun, a bigger pot or bed, and support as they grow taller.
sapodilla (chikoo)
What is this tree with brown round fruits – is the fruit edible?
This looks very much like a sapodilla (chikoo) tree, whose ripe fruit is edible and sweet, but never eat anything based only on an online ID. Have a local plant expert or neighbor familiar with the tree confirm it in person before tasting.
How can I identify this small cutting with only one damaged leaf?
From the photo, the plant is too small and damaged to confidently identify; it looks like a young aroid-type houseplant grown from a stem cutting. Let it grow a few new leaves and nodes, then compare leaf shape and growth habit for a more reliable ID.