Although a full-sized, lushly blooming wisteria looks particularly magnificent, cultivation in a pot is also entirely possible. Here, however, the plant grows slower, but that is not a disadvantage, perhaps even desired.
How do you care for wisteria in a pot?
To successfully cultivate a wisteria in a pot, you should choose a sufficiently large planter, use nutrient-rich and lime-free soil, fertilize and water the wisteria regularly, choose a sunny place for the plant and provide winter protection.
Planting the wisteria correctly
The wisteria always grows towards the light, that is, upwards, as long as it can. For this it needs a climbing aid, even if the plant is in a pot. However, things look different if you want to grow the wisteria in a pot as a standard tree. In both cases, the ideal planting time is spring.
Choose a sufficiently large planter, it should be slightly larger than the previous pot and have a drainage hole in the bottom. Place a large piece of clay over it (€8.00 on Amazon) so that the hole doesn't get blocked so quickly. Then fill in lime-free, rather acidic soil with a high nutrient content. Place your wisteria in the pot and water it well. Then place your wisteria in a sunny spot.
Water and fertilize the wisteria properly
So that your wisteria is always well supplied, even with the limited supply of nutrients in the pot, you should fertilize it regularly from spring to autumn. The water requirement varies depending on the temperature and is quite high, especially during the flowering period. Then daily watering is recommended.
Pruning the wisteria properly
You should prune your wisteria twice a year, not just to limit its excessively lush and wild growth. This pruning is particularly important in pots or containers. The wisteria only blooms on old, but short shoots. If you don't prune it, it will bloom less and less or not at all as the years go by. Then it's time for a radical cut.
Winter the wisteria well
Wisteria is considered hardy, but it definitely needs winter protection in the pot so that the roots don't freeze. Wrap the entire planter with an old blanket, jute sacks or fleece, including from below. Alternatively, you can overwinter the wisteria in the greenhouse. It should be cool there, but almost frost-free. The buds in particular are quite sensitive to frost.
The most important things in brief:
- Soil: nutrient-rich, permeable, preferably lime-free, rather acidic, slightly moist
- planting and transplanting in spring
- Create drainage layer
- place in a sunny place
- fertilize and water regularly
- overwinter cool but frost-free or wrap up completely
Tip
Before you put it on your balcony or terrace, remember that wisteria is very poisonous. Do not allow children to play there unattended, especially while the tempting pods are ripening.
