Hi @freckleface
Growing wisteria in pots long-term is like trying to cage a lion - you might manage it for a while, but it's not going to end well for anyone involved.
Wisterias are vigorous climbers that can reach around 10m (33ft) in tree form or spread up to 20m (66ft) against a wall, so cramming one of these beasts into a container is asking for trouble from day one. Sure, you can grow wisteria in a container they will need regular feed and eventually outgrow their pot, but that's the key phrase - eventually outgrow.
Here's the thing - wisteria roots are as vigorous as the top growth, and they'll become rootbound faster than you can say "summer pruning." Once that happens, you're looking at a stressed plant that'll struggle to flower (and let's be honest, the flowers are the whole point!). The restricted root system means constant watering in summer, and trust me, miss a day and you'll have a crispy wisteria on your hands.
If you're dead set on a smaller space solution, go for a standard wisteria instead. When growing wisteria as a standard its ultimate growth can be reduced due to the limited branch network. It's been properly trained on one main stem, so it'll behave itself far better than trying to wrestle a regular wisteria into submission.
The bottom line? Plant it in the ground where it belongs, give it space to do its thing, and you'll get those jaw-dropping purple racemes every summer. Keep it in a pot long-term and you'll spend more time nursing it than enjoying it!
For the full lowdown on keeping your wisteria happy with proper pruning, check out my complete guide: https://www.gardenninja.co.uk/how-to-prune-wisteria-winter-summer-pruning-guide-for-beginners/
All the best
Lee Garden Ninja 🥷🌿
Hi @freckleface
Growing wisteria in pots long-term is like trying to cage a lion - you might manage it for a while, but it's not going to end well for anyone involved.
Wisterias are vigorous climbers that can reach around 10m (33ft) in tree form or spread up to 20m (66ft) against a wall, so cramming one of these beasts into a container is asking for trouble from day one. Sure, you can grow wisteria in a container they will need regular feed and eventually outgrow their pot, but that's the key phrase - eventually outgrow.
Here's the thing - wisteria roots are as vigorous as the top growth, and they'll become rootbound faster than you can say "summer pruning." Once that happens, you're looking at a stressed plant that'll struggle to flower (and let's be honest, the flowers are the whole point!). The restricted root system means constant watering in summer, and trust me, miss a day and you'll have a crispy wisteria on your hands.
If you're dead set on a smaller space solution, go for a standard wisteria instead. When growing wisteria as a standard its ultimate growth can be reduced due to the limited branch network. It's been properly trained on one main stem, so it'll behave itself far better than trying to wrestle a regular wisteria into submission.
The bottom line? Plant it in the ground where it belongs, give it space to do its thing, and you'll get those jaw-dropping purple racemes every summer. Keep it in a pot long-term and you'll spend more time nursing it than enjoying it!
For the full lowdown on keeping your wisteria happy with proper pruning, check out my complete guide: https://www.gardenninja.co.uk/how-to-prune-wisteria-winter-summer-pruning-guide-for-beginners/
All the best
Lee Garden Ninja 🥷🌿
Lee Burkhill: Award Winning Designer & BBC 1's Garden Rescue Presenters Official Blog
To my Newsletter
To my YouTube channel