{"id":1198,"date":"2026-04-30T10:00:31","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T07:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/?p=1198"},"modified":"2026-04-30T10:00:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T07:00:31","slug":"how-to-grow-wisteria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/?p=1198","title":{"rendered":"How to grow wisteria"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wisteria is a deciduous, climbing shrub, bearing beautiful pendants of scented flowers in May or June. There are many species of wisteria but the two most commonly grown in the UK are Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis<\/a>)<\/em> and Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda)<\/em>. Wisteria sinensis<\/em> grows in an anticlockwise direction and Wisteria floribunda<\/em> grows in a clockwise direction.<\/p>\n

Wisteria plants have incredibly strong and woody stems and, in time, the trunks can become as thick as small tree trunks \u2013 it’s not a climbing plant<\/a> for a delicate trellis. Wisteria also offers valuable autumn colour and attractive pea-like seed pods. If grown from seed, wisteria can take up to 20 years to flower. However, grafted plants are available to buy from garden centres and nurseries, which flower within four years of planting.<\/p>\n

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Where to plant wisteria<\/h3>\n

\"Wisteria<\/p>\n

Grow wisteria against a house wall or other strong structure such as a sturdy pergola. It is possible to grow wisteria plants in a pot but only if growing it as a standard tree and when pruning it regularly to maintain its form \u2013 this is a very high maintenance option.<\/p>\n

When to plant wisteria<\/h3>\n

The best time to plant wisteria is from autumn to spring, typically between October and April. If you’re planting a wisteria in a pot you can plant it at any time of year, but it will establish better if planted in autumn or winter.<\/p>\n

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How to plant wisteria<\/h3>\n

Plant wisteria in spring or autumn. Prepare the soil well to ensure a good root run, and plant at the same level as it was in the original pot and water in well. Tie the stems in to galvanised wires fixed horizontally along the wall, as you would an espalier fruit tree. If growing up a pergola, remove all but one stem and tie this to the post.<\/p>\n

How to plant wisteria in a pot<\/h3>\n

\"Wisteria<\/p>\n

Wisterias can be grown in pots but you’ll need to feed them regularly as they are hungry plants. Only go for this option if training your wisteria plant as a standard. Choose the largest pot you have space for \u2013 ideally with a diameter of 45cm \u2013 and use a good tree and shrub compost such as a peat-free John Innes No. 3. Plant at the same level as it was in the original pot and water in well.<\/p>\n

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How to care for wisteria<\/h3>\n

Wisteria is a hungry plant. On dry and sandy soils, water regularly and feed monthly with a high potash fertiliser (such as a tomato, rose or shrub fertiliser) during the growing season, to encourage more flowers to bloom.<\/p>\n

In autumn, mulch with organic matter such as well-rotted horse manure<\/a> or home-made compost. This locks in moisture, improves the soil fertility and increases microbial action in the soil, which helps plants to grow.<\/p>\n

Wisterias in pots need more care than those growing in the ground. Water and feed them weekly, then, in spring, remove as much of the compost as possible and replace with fresh, peat-free, loam-based compost such as John Innes No. 3.<\/p>\n

There is no additional care required for wisterias in winter.<\/p>\n

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How and when to prune wisteria<\/h3>\n

\"Cutting<\/p>\n

Prune wisteria twice a year, in August and February. For the first few years give your attention to training the plant into the support. This involves pruning very low branches out, training in strong side shoots and cutting back side shoots to five buds in early August.<\/p>\n

How to prune wisteria plants in winter<\/h3>\n

By pruning in winter as well as summer, you will encourage the development of short spurs that carry the flowers in spring. Do this any time in the dormant season \u2013 late October to March.<\/p>\n

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  1. Tie in new growth to extend the main framework over its support<\/li>\n
  2. Cut remaining long stems back hard.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In this video guide to winter-pruning wisteria plants, David Hurrion explains how to restrict vigorous, leafy growth so it doesn\u2019t obscure developing flower buds:<\/p>\n

    View Green Video on the source website<\/a><\/p>\n

    How to prune wisteria in summer<\/h3>\n

    Summer-pruning wisteria encourages the development of short-flowering spurs that will carry the blooms in spring.<\/p>\n

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    1. Cut the long vigorous shoots back to a couple of buds from the base of the current season’s growth<\/li>\n
    2. For young plants (less than three years old), select a few strong shoots to tie into wires or trellis<\/li>\n
    3. On older wisterias, simply prune side shoots back to your framework of strong shoots<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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      How to propagate wisteria<\/h3>\n

      It can take several years for a wisteria to flower from a cutting, so very few gardeners propagate wisteria, choosing to buy a plant instead. However, if you want a challenge, take softwood cuttings in mid spring.<\/p>\n

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      1. Cut lengths of young stems and trim them back to about 10cm, just below a leaf joint<\/li>\n
      2. Remove the lower leaves, leaving about four at the top of each cutting<\/li>\n
      3. Fill pots with cutting compost, and then water, allowing it to drain<\/li>\n
      4. Insert the cuttings into the pots so the leaves don\u2019t touch, and then cover with a clear plastic bag<\/li>\n
      5. Place the cuttings in a well-lit room and ensure they don\u2019t dry out<\/li>\n
      6. When signs of growth are evident remove the bag and pot on<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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        Pests and diseases<\/h3>\n

        The most common problem experienced by wisteria growers is lack of flowers. Wisterias take time to flower; expecting flowers before the plant is four years old may be unrealistic.<\/p>\n

        Here, David Hurrion offers advice on locating, pruning and feeding your wisteria<\/a>, for maximum blooms.<\/p>\n

        View Green Video on the source website<\/a><\/p>\n

        Will wisteria damage my foundations?<\/h3>\n

        A wisteria<\/a>-clad house looks lovely in spring. But can the roots damage your foundations? Catherine Mansley, BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, explains in our Quick Tips video:<\/p>\n

        View Green Video on the source website<\/a><\/p>\n

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        Advice on buying wisteria<\/h2>\n