If facades, walls, fences, etc. need to be greened quickly, knotweed is often the first choice. The climbing plant grows extremely quickly and can grow up to one meter per day. However, the enormous growth also has disadvantages, as knotweed quickly overgrows even very large areas, can cause serious damage and is difficult to remove. Because of its rapid growth, it is difficult to keep it in a container.
Can you grow knotweed in a container?
Cultivating knotweed in a pot is difficult, but doable. Use a deep pot with at least 45 liter capacity, nutrient-rich soil and water generously. Make sure there is sufficient brightness, cooling, drainage and regular pruning.
Knotweed rather unsuitable for keeping in containers
Knotweed not only grows enormously above ground and can grow up to 15 meters high in just one year, but it also stretches both in depth and width underground. Knotweed roots can reach several meters deep and are also wide and widely branched. Due to the strong root growth, any plant container quickly becomes too small for the climbing plant, so that it reacts with poor growth, unsatisfactory leaf or flower decoration or even yellow, falling leaves.
Climbing plants for the pot
If you are only interested in strong and fast foliage, you have many options when it comes to climbing plants. For example, annual varieties that are sown in spring and quickly create opaque greenery on fences, walls, etc. are very suitable. If you want it to be an evergreen plant, ivy or evergreen honeysuckle are suitable. Runner beans or clematis are also well suited for such a purpose. Be careful with the popular hops, this plant also tends to grow.
Cultivate knotweed in a bucket
Aren't the alternatives convincing and should it definitely be knotweed? Under certain conditions, this climbing plant can also be cultivated in a pot, the most important being the size of the planter: knotweed needs a pot that is as wide and deep as possible; a simple balcony box is not sufficient. The bucket should hold at least 45 liters, preferably more.
Take care of knotweed properly
Otherwise, you should pay attention to the following points when caring for the potted knotweed:
- Use nutrient-rich soil.
- Make sure the plant is as bright as possible.
- The pot, however, should be in the shade, i.e. H. cool, standing.
- Cover the top layer of soil with mulch.
- Provide good drainage.
- Water a lot and generously - at least twice a day on warm days.
- Fertilize during the growth phase with green plant fertilizer (€8.00 on Amazon).
- Fertilize with flowering plant fertilizer during the flowering period.
- Protect the pot in winter.
- Cut the plant regularly and vigorously!
Tips & Tricks
If you want to use knotweed to green your balcony, it is not recommended - especially if you live in a rented apartment. Knotweed not only grows quickly, but also has enormous destructive power, which can cost you dearly in an emergency.
