Can Wisteria Be Grown in Planters?

Recommended Type

• It is recommended to use Japanese wisteria or Wisteria floribunda for growing in pots as it less vigorous in growth as compared to Wisteria sinensis, suggest David Squire and A. Bridgewater in "Container Specialist". Japanese wisteria is a native of Japan and has a potential height of up to 35 feet. Both the blue and the white flowering varieties may be planted in containers.

Suggested Planters

• Plant Japanese wisteria in a tub or very large sized terracotta pot for best growth. Wisteria has a very strong root system and needs a sturdy container. In "Basic Gardening", Sybille Engels et al. suggest a planter size of 20 inches in height and 20 inches in diameter as suitable for wisteria. Fill planter with a regular potting soil. Place the planter in a wind sheltered spot. The best time to plant wisteria is during spring.

Training

• Start training the vine when it is young. Wisteria stems will become woody very rapidly, making it quite impossible to train older vines. The vines in containers need regular pruning throughout the year to maintain their aggressive growth into desired size and shape. Prune thoroughly especially after flowering is over. The vine usually does not flower for the first two or three years.

Support

• Provide a very sturdy support to the vine to grow along and use a thick wire to train it up the support. Train the single stem to form a canopy at head level. Not only is a support required for the main stem but a framework of wires is suggested for training the laterally growing branches. Let the wisteria in planters stay outdoors through the winter wrapped warmly.