How to grow wisteria

Wisteria plants have incredibly strong and woody stems and, in time, the trunks can become as thick as small tree trunks – it's not a climbing plant for a delicate trellis. Wisteria also offers valuable autumn colour and attractive pea-like seed pods.

How to grow wisteria

Grow wisteria plants against a sturdy wall, such as up the front of a house, in moist but well-drained soil, ideally in a south- or west-facing direction. Prune in February and again in August. Feed with a high potash fertiliser in spring to encourage flowers.

More on growing wisteria:

• Wisteria in bloom: 10 gorgeous images

Where to plant wisteria

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 – this is a very high maintenance option.

How to plant wisteria

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.

How to plant wisteria in a pot

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 and use a good tree and shrub compost. Plant at the same level as it was in the original pot and water in well.

How to care for wisteria

Wisteria is a hungry plant. Feed monthly with a high potash fertiliser during the growing season, to encourage more flowers to bloom. Water and feed pot-grown wisterias weekly. In autumn, mulch with organic matter such as well-rotted horse manure or home-made compost.

How and when to prune wisteria

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.

How to prune wisteria plants in winter

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 – late October to March.

1. Tie in new growth to extend the main framework over its support
2. Cut remaining long stems back hard.

In this video guide to winter-pruning wisteria plants, David Hurrion explains how to restrict vigorous, leafy growth so it doesn’t obscure developing flower buds:

How to prune wisteria in summer

Summer-pruning wisteria encourages the development of short-flowering spurs that will carry the blooms in spring.

1. Cut the long vigorous shoots back to a couple of buds from the base of the current season's growth
2. For young plants (less than three years old), select a few strong shoots to tie into wires or trellis
3. On older wisterias, simply prune side shoots back to your framework of strong shoots

In this short video, expert David Hurrion explains how to prune wisteria in summer. He shows you exactly which stems to cut and how much to remove:

How to propagate wisteria

It can take 20 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.

1. Cut lengths of young stems and trim them back to about 10cm, just below a leaf joint
2. Remove the lower leaves, leaving about four at the top of each cutting
3. Fill pots with cutting compost, and then water, allowing it to drain
4. Insert the cuttings into the pots so the leaves don’t touch, and then cover with a clear plastic bag
5. Place the cuttings in a well-lit room and ensure they don’t dry out
6. When signs of growth are evident remove the bag and pot on

Growing wisteria: problem solving

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.

Here, David Hurrion offers advice on locating, pruning and feeding your wisteria, for maximum blooms.

Will wisteria damage my foundations?

A wisteria-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:

Wisteria varieties to grow

Wisteria sinensis – blue flowers in May or June before the foliage. Very fragrant. Reaches a height of 9m.

• Buy Wisteria sinensis from Crocus

Wisteria floribunda ‘Multijuga’ (pictured) – of all the wisterias this has the longest pendants of flowers. Lilac flowers that appear with the leaves in June. Reaches a height of 9m

• Buy Wisteria floribunda ‘Multijuga’ from Crocus

Wisteria floribunda ‘Kuchi-beni’ – mauve-pink flowers in June with the foliage. Floribunda types are not as vigorous as others. Reaches 8m in height

• Buy Wisteria floribunda ‘Kuchi-beni’ from Crocus

Wisteria floribunda ‘Domino’ – suitable where space is limited. Blue flowers in May or June with the foliage. Reaches a height of 6m

• Buy Wisteria floribunda ‘Domino’ from Thompson & Morgan

Wisteria sinensis ‘Alba’ – white flowers, often before the foliage. Reaches a height of 9m

• Buy Wisteria sinensis ‘Alba’ from Crocus