How to Grow Vines on an Apartment Porch

Fill the pots with soil. Place the pots around the porch where they will get good sunlight for as many hours a day as possible. If you have no posts or supports, place tall stakes, posts or trellises into your pots before planting. This just prevents roots from being harmed as plants mature. Larger pots also will provide support for the stakes or trellises via the soil that adds weight.

Add the seeds according to directions on seed packets. If starting only with starter plants, just squeeze the small pots gently to remove the plant and make a hole the same size in the pot's soil. Place the plant into the hole. Tamp the soil down around the plant and any added staking. Water the plant or seed well.

Secure your plants as they grow. They will need support and places for the vines to reach upward or along railings. Help direct the vines by wrapping the young shoots gently around rails, beams, posts, stakes or trellises. Guide new tendrils as they appear and when they are long enough to wrap or catch onto the supports.

Tie twine somewhat loosely around maturing vines to add further support and offer new holds for new growth. Trim the plants back after a year or so, unless they are getting too heavy and large or spreading beyond where you want them. Water as needed. Potted plants dry out faster than those in the ground, so do it more often in hot weather.