Balloon Flower vs Morning Glory

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Balloon Flower

Platycodon grandiflorus

Campanulaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Morning Glory

Ipomoea tricolor

Convolvulaceae · vines

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Balloon Flower (Zones 3-8)

Morning Glory (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Balloon Flower	Morning Glory
Scientific Name	Platycodon grandiflorus	Ipomoea tricolor
Family	Campanulaceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	flowers	vines
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	2'	10'
Spread	1'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Blue, White, Pink	Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	East Asia	Central America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Balloon Flower

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Morning Glory

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Balloon Flower

✓Late to emerge in spring — mark location to avoid damage.
✓Deep taproot — don't transplant.
✓Cut back after flowering.
✓Deer and pest resistant.

Morning Glory

✓Nick or soak seeds overnight for faster germination.
✓Provide sturdy support.
✓Self-seeds prolifically — can become invasive.
✓Full sun is essential for abundant blooms.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Balloon Flower if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

Choose Morning Glory if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Balloon FlowerProfile →View Morning GloryProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Balloon Flower and Morning Glory grow in the same hardiness zone?

Balloon Flower grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Morning Glory grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

Do Balloon Flower and Morning Glory have the same sun and water needs?

Balloon Flower needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Morning Glory needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Balloon Flower or Morning Glory?

Morning Glory grows taller at 10' compared to Balloon Flower at 2'. Morning Glory spreads 2' while Balloon Flower spreads 1'.

Are Balloon Flower and Morning Glory deer resistant?

Yes, both Balloon Flower and Morning Glory are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Balloon Flower or Morning Glory?

Both Balloon Flower and Morning Glory have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Balloon Flower	Morning Glory
Scientific Name	Platycodon grandiflorus	Ipomoea tricolor
Family	Campanulaceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	flowers	vines
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	2'	10'
Spread	1'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Blue, White, Pink	Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	East Asia	Central America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Balloon Flower

✓Late to emerge in spring — mark location to avoid damage.
✓Deep taproot — don't transplant.
✓Cut back after flowering.
✓Deer and pest resistant.

Morning Glory

✓Nick or soak seeds overnight for faster germination.
✓Provide sturdy support.
✓Self-seeds prolifically — can become invasive.
✓Full sun is essential for abundant blooms.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Balloon Flower if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

Choose Morning Glory if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Balloon Flower and Morning Glory grow in the same hardiness zone?

Balloon Flower grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Morning Glory grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

Do Balloon Flower and Morning Glory have the same sun and water needs?

Balloon Flower needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Morning Glory needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Balloon Flower or Morning Glory?

Morning Glory grows taller at 10' compared to Balloon Flower at 2'. Morning Glory spreads 2' while Balloon Flower spreads 1'.

Are Balloon Flower and Morning Glory deer resistant?

Yes, both Balloon Flower and Morning Glory are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Balloon Flower or Morning Glory?

Both Balloon Flower and Morning Glory have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.