How to Grow Wisteria Vines

Read our tips on How to Grow Wisteria Vines at Home.

We have a small obsession with wisteria, this beautiful and fragrant spring flowering vine is in full bloom everywhere in the south of Australia during spring and it is hard not to be captivated by its beauty and sweet fragrance. 

While wisteria isn’t difficult to grow there are some tips and tricks to keep it healthy and flowering year after year.

1. When to Plant Wisteria

Plant wisteria vines in autumn or spring and make sure you choose a sunny, open position with fertile, well-draining and moist soil.

2. Add support

Wisteria are rapid climbers so make sure the position you choose has some type of support structure – a fence, verandah or arbour works beautifully.  Wisteria can also be trained to grow in a lollipop or standard shape in a pot if you have limited space,  just choose a large pot and make sure you cut back new shoots from its main stem until you have it at the height you want it.

Attaching the plant to a sturdy metal pole structure will also help to keep it in place and keep the plant secure as it becomes established.

3. Feed your wisteria

Young wisteria can take a number of years to flower. To encourage flowers give your wisteria a regular feed of a liquid fertiliser that is high in potash from late winter until the end of summer.

4. Pruning

Prune wisteria first in summer after the plant has finished its spring flowering and then again in autumn (a lighter prune).  Once your wisteria is mature a heavy prune in summer is ideal to keep the plant looking its best and to prevent it from taking over the garden (they love to climb!).

5. Pests

Wisteria are fairly hardy and are usually free from pests and diseases once they are established, however if you are growing them in a pot make sure you keep them watered and fertilised and ensure the soil is well drained.

Following these simple tips should have you enjoying your beautiful old-world wisteria blooms year after year.

Want more garden tips and tricks?  Click here for tips on growing beautiful ranunculus flowers and here for tips for growing one of our garden favourites – cherry blossoms.