Studies were undertaken to determine effects of scarification, temperature, stratification, pH, and osmotic potential on seed germination; to determine the effect of planting depth on emergence; to describe the emergence sequence; and to quantify seedling development of bigroot morningglory. Mechanical and chemical scarification caused increased germination but cool, moist stratification did not break dormancy. Optimum germination occurred at 20 and 25 C and with alternating temperatures of 20/10 and 30/20 C. The optimum pH range for germination was between 6 and 8.5. Increasing the solution osmotic potential decreased germination linearly from 90% at −0.08 MPa to 0% at −0.8 MPa. Plant establishment was best at 2 to 4 cm and decreased at greater seeding depths. Seedling emergence was observed and recorded and found not to fit the classical models of hypogeal or epigeal emergence. Only 3% of 5-day-old seedlings sprouted after being clipped to the root crown. When seedlings were 11 days old at clipping, over 85% of the plants sprouted. These results indicate that bigroot morningglory has the potential to successfully reproduce by seed and that the rapid development of the plant should be considered when designing control programs.