Basil vs Morning Glory

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

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Lamiaceae · herbs

EdibleLow Maintenance

Morning Glory

Ipomoea tricolor

Convolvulaceae · vines

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Basil (Zones 2-11)

Morning Glory (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 2–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Basil	Morning Glory
Scientific Name	Ocimum basilicum	Ipomoea tricolor
Family	Lamiaceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	herbs	vines
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	2'	10'
Spread	1'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	White	Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	India, Southeast Asia	Central America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Basil

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Morning Glory

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Basil

✓Pinch flowers to prolong leaf production.
✓Harvest from the top down.
✓Don't refrigerate fresh leaves — they turn black.
✓Plant after all frost danger has passed.

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 Basil if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

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 2–11. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View BasilProfile →View Morning GloryProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Basil and Morning Glory grow in the same hardiness zone?

Basil grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Morning Glory grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 2 through 11.

Do Basil and Morning Glory have the same sun and water needs?

Basil needs full sun and medium water, while Morning Glory needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Basil or Morning Glory?

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

Are Basil and Morning Glory deer resistant?

Morning Glory is deer resistant, but Basil is not. If deer are a concern, Morning Glory is the better choice, or protect Basil with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Basil or Morning Glory?

Both Basil 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	Basil	Morning Glory
Scientific Name	Ocimum basilicum	Ipomoea tricolor
Family	Lamiaceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	herbs	vines
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	2'	10'
Spread	1'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	White	Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	India, Southeast Asia	Central America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Basil

✓Pinch flowers to prolong leaf production.
✓Harvest from the top down.
✓Don't refrigerate fresh leaves — they turn black.
✓Plant after all frost danger has passed.

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 Basil if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

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 2–11. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Basil and Morning Glory grow in the same hardiness zone?

Basil grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Morning Glory grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 2 through 11.

Do Basil and Morning Glory have the same sun and water needs?

Basil needs full sun and medium water, while Morning Glory needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Basil or Morning Glory?

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

Are Basil and Morning Glory deer resistant?

Morning Glory is deer resistant, but Basil is not. If deer are a concern, Morning Glory is the better choice, or protect Basil with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Basil or Morning Glory?

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