PlantWhy

Wisteria

Wisteria sinensis · Tree/Shrub

A vigorous woody climber famous for long, fragrant hanging flower clusters in spring. It needs a very strong support and firm pruning twice a year; young plants can take several years before the first bloom.

Wisteria
Photo: 3268zauber, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
💧WaterOnly in long dry spells once settled (estimated)
☀️LightFull sun, 6+ hours
🐾PetsSeeds and pods harmful

Care at a glance

Light
Full sun for the best flowering, at least 6 hours
Water
About 1 in per week while establishing, then only in drought
Soil
Deep, moist, well-drained soil; pH 6.0–7.0
Temperature
Hardy to about -20 °F; late frosts can damage buds
Spacing
10–15 ft from other climbers and walls with windows
Container
Possible in a 20-gallon tub with hard pruning
Bloom
Blooms in mid to late spring; first flowers 3–7 years after planting (estimated)
Lifespan
50+ years (estimated)

When?

Plant in spring or autumn. Buy a grafted or cutting-grown plant, ideally already in flower; seed-grown plants may take many years to bloom.

Step by step

  1. Put up a sturdy pergola, arch or wire system before planting; mature stems get very heavy.
  2. Plant at the same depth as in the pot and water deeply.
  3. Tie in the main stems and train them along the support in the first few years.
  4. Avoid nitrogen-rich feed and lawn fertilizer nearby; it pushes leaves instead of flowers.
  5. In midsummer, cut the long whippy shoots back to about 5–6 leaves.
  6. In late winter, shorten the same shoots again to 2–3 buds; fat buds are flower buds.
  7. Remove suckers from the base and seed pods after flowering.

Common problems

No flowers for yearsToo much shade, nitrogen or too little pruning; cut back twice yearly and add potassium.
Buds drop in springLate frost or dry roots in late summer; water during dry spells.
Yellow leavesOften alkaline soil; add acidic organic matter.
Shoots invading guttersNormal vigour; prune more often in summer.

Pets

All parts, especially seeds and pods, are harmful to cats, dogs and horses. If in doubt, ask your vet.

Similar plants

BougainvilleaHydrangeaMagnolia

Sources

This page is general guidance; no pesticide doses are given.