Cosmos vs Morning Glory

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

Cosmos

Cosmos bipinnatus

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Morning Glory

Ipomoea tricolor

Convolvulaceae · vines

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Cosmos (Zones 2-11)

Morning Glory (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 2–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Cosmos	Morning Glory
Scientific Name	Cosmos bipinnatus	Ipomoea tricolor
Family	Asteraceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	flowers	vines
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Poor	Well-drained
Height	5'	10'
Spread	2'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Pink, White, Red	Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Mexico	Central America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Cosmos

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Morning Glory

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Cosmos

✓Direct sow after frost.
✓Don't fertilize — rich soil produces leaves not flowers.
✓Deadhead or let self-seed.
✓Tall varieties may need staking in wind.

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 Cosmos if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low 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 CosmosProfile →View Morning GloryProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cosmos 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 Cosmos and Morning Glory have the same sun and water needs?

Cosmos needs full sun and low 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, Cosmos or Morning Glory?

Morning Glory grows taller at 10' compared to Cosmos at 5'. Morning Glory spreads 2' while Cosmos spreads 2'.

Are Cosmos and Morning Glory deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Cosmos or Morning Glory?

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

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Cosmos	Morning Glory
Scientific Name	Cosmos bipinnatus	Ipomoea tricolor
Family	Asteraceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	flowers	vines
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Poor	Well-drained
Height	5'	10'
Spread	2'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Pink, White, Red	Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Mexico	Central America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Cosmos

✓Direct sow after frost.
✓Don't fertilize — rich soil produces leaves not flowers.
✓Deadhead or let self-seed.
✓Tall varieties may need staking in wind.

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 Cosmos if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low 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 Cosmos and Morning Glory grow in the same hardiness zone?

Cosmos 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 Cosmos and Morning Glory have the same sun and water needs?

Cosmos needs full sun and low 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, Cosmos or Morning Glory?

Morning Glory grows taller at 10' compared to Cosmos at 5'. Morning Glory spreads 2' while Cosmos spreads 2'.

Are Cosmos and Morning Glory deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Cosmos or Morning Glory?

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