Growing a Wisteria in a Container

Wisteria, a deciduous climbing vine, generally grows best when planted in the ground and sufficiently supported. However, wisteria can grow in a container as well if the home gardener stays on top of the necessary pruning and maintenance. Here are some things to consider about container-grown wisteria.

Size Matters

Wisteria is a large and hardy vine, a relative of the pea family. Chinese wisteria and Japanese wisteria varieties and cultivars can grow to 25 feet in height. This fact alone may deter many home gardeners from considering planting wisteria in a container. Wisteria are highly invasive, so unless you are willing to constantly, prune, state or otherwise manage it, don't attempt to grow it in a container.

Large Pot or Container

The ideal container for a wisteria is a commercial grade pot or planter that’s both big and heavy enough to contain the vine and necessary supports and of a material that will help retain moisture and temperature. It isn’t only the height of the maturing wisteria that can cause problems, but the large, spreading root system of this climbing vine is what supports all that growth.

Earthenware pots are traditional and often used in the garden, but they dry out easily. Stone and ceramic pots or containers are better at holding in moisture and soil temperature. If the plant will be moved, look for a container that you’ll be able to handle, as well as dolly, lifting apparatus or other mechanisms.

Starting off a wisteria vine in a pot or container that’s 2 to 4 times the size of the one it originally came in from the nursery will give the home gardener time to search for a more appropriately sized and more permanent container.

Vine Supports are Critical

Without proper support, this creeping vine will take over the surroundings, climbing up walls, getting into gutters, through cracks in the foundation – even causing the foundation and concrete to crack and buckle.

It’s necessary to prop up the wisteria for two reasons:

• Wisteria needs to be trained to grow vertically in order to contain its spread.
• Training a wisteria along a support allows full appreciation of the pendulous blooms.

Use wood stakes (not treated wood), or trellis or arbor that will fit in the container. The container may also be situated next to a brick wall – or trellis or arbor, and the wisteria can be trained to grow against this backdrop. For the brick wall, use rows of wire attached 4 to 6 inches from the wall.

Requirements for Container-grown Wisteria

Wisteria requires the following:

• Full sun – at least 6 hours per day
• Moist and moderately fertile soil – but do not allow it to dry out
• Neutral to slightly acidic soil (pH of 6.0 to 7.0)
• Supports
• Annual pruning
• Fertilizing young vines annually

Although the container-grown wisteria requires more than the average amount of care and hard work, the results in years to come will be well worth the effort.