Morning glories are annuals, meaning they complete their life cycle within one growing season. However, their seeds can self-sow and produce new plants the following year if conditions are right. In warmer climates, morning glories can act like perennials and grow back from their roots each year.

They tolerate a wide range of average to poor soil and sunny to partial shade conditions. Though they are not perennial and grow from seed, they are very successful at spreading quickly, returning annually and can be difficult to control if allowed to get out of hand.

Ipomoea aquatica can become an invasive problem in some tropical and temperate regions outside of its native range.

The flowers produced by the plant are hermaphroditic.