wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Line the bottom of the pot with crocks or gravel. You can also provide extra protection by moving the pot into a sheltered corner or near a protected wall. % of people told us that this article helped them. The label "10-20-10" refers to the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Plant breeders have developed a range of compact clematis cultivars that are perfect for growing in pots. Gardeners will grow potted clematis in containers on patios, balconies, in the entryway of the home, on a deck or even in a modern garden. Most wood, plastic, resin, metal, or fiberglass pots should tolerate an extended freeze. The soil and roots can stay frozen, but continual freezing, thawing, and refreezing can shock the roots and damage the plant on a long-term basis. Clematis performs best in large pots, especially if you live in a climate with chilly winters; the extra potting soil in a larger pot provides protection for the roots. Nitrogen produces leaves, phosphorus strengthens the roots, and potassium helps flower growth. As a result, many novice gardeners may hesitate to plant them inside pots and other containers. By: Mary H. Dyer, Credentialed Garden Writer. For more tips, including how to prune your Clematis, read on! Plant it 2 inches below the surface of the soil. Healthy Clematis plants usually don’t require protection during the winter, although some varieties are more cold hardy than others. Many varieties of Clematis are suitable for growing in containers, including the following: Clematis performs best in large pots, especially if you live in a climate with chilly winters; the extra potting soil in a larger pot provides protection for the roots. In either scenario, it is possible to grow these in garden planters and the plants will do quite well with some special care. ", https://www.hummingbirdfarm.net/clematis_in_containers_01.htm, https://www.vanmeuwen.com/how-to-grow-clematis, https://empressofdirt.net/clematis-101-easy-care-guide-really/#containers, Herbs2000: Planting Clematis in Containers, Gardening Info Zone: Growing Clematis in Garden Pots and Planters, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Terra cotta pots keep the soil well drained, but they are also heavy and likely to crack during the winter until kept indoors. ", "Clear and concise information on growing clematis.". Planting Clematis in this manner will minimize the likelihood of Clematis wilt and will help protect the roots from cold during the winter months. However, Clematis container growing is definitely possible, even in climates with chilly winters. Soak the potting mix whenever the top 1 or 2 inches (3-5 cm.) Sign up for our newsletter. "I wanted to plant my Bees' Jubilee clematis in pots at the base of porch rails as garnish to spiral through the, "The fact that pot holes can get clogged! I have read that clematis like their "heads in sun and their feet in shade." a general-purpose, slow-release fertilizer, Clematis plants usually don’t require protection during the winter, Cold Hardy Clematis Plants: Tips On Growing Clematis In Zone 3, Clematis Varieties: Choosing Different Clematis Vines, Can I Transplant A Clematis – How And When To Move Clematis Vines, Prickly Kale Leaves – Does Kale Have Thorns, Corn Husk Wreath Ideas: How To Make A Corn Husk Wreath, DIY Air Plant Wreaths: Wreath Making With Air Plants, Harvesting Peppers: When And How To Pick A Pepper, What Is A Vegetable Fern: Information About The Vegetable Fern Plant, Teepee Garden Trellis: Using Teepee Structures In The Vegetable Garden, Boston Fern Repotting: How And When To Repot Boston Ferns, Thanksgiving Tradition: Turning Homegrown Pumpkins Into Pie, Growing Thanksgiving Dinner – Must Have Turkey Side Dishes, Interesting Uses For Pecans: What To Do With Pecans, The Bountiful Garden: Bringing The Garden To Thanksgiving, “Nelly Moser,” which produces purplish-pink blooms, “Polish Spirit,” with violet-blue flowers, “The President,” which displays blooms in a rich shade of red, “Sieboldii,” a dwarf variety with creamy white flowers and purple centers. For clematis that bloom between mid and late summer on old and new growth you should only remove dead growth once the plant gets crowded. If collecting these materials from nature, though, you should sterilize them by soaking them in hot soapy water, or in a solution made with one part bleach and four parts water. Why does my clematis go scraggy and leaves deaden at the bottom? wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Thank you. To grow a Clematis in a pot, you’ll need to plant it in a large pot with drainage holes. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Thanks for the plant and care tips as well! In most climates, Clematis blooms from spring until the first frost in autumn. Fertilize it once a month with a granular 10-20-10 fertilizer. Feed the plant with a general purpose, slow-release fertilizer every spring, then repeat once or twice through the growing season. Don’t wait until the plant is established because you may damage the roots. Growing Clematis in pots is slightly more involved, as potted Clematis plants require more attention than in-ground plants. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. I'm afraid I'm going to over-water it. Never realized this, your entire article was very helpful. Fill the container with a good quality, lightweight potting soil, then mix in a general-purpose, slow-release fertilizer according to manufacturer recommendations. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Fertilizer provides the nutrients Clematis needs to bloom throughout the season. rungs. With the right care, they’ll last in containers for years, before being planted out in the garden. Nearly any pot with a drainage hole is fine, but a ceramic or clay pot is likely to crack in freezing weather. Do I grow my clematis up one or more canes? For clematis that bloom between mid and late summer on new growth alone, you should remove all growth from the previous year, only leaving the lowest pair of buds. References To stimulate the flowering, place the canes facing the south. Nearly any pot with a drainage hole is fine, but a ceramic or clay pot is likely to crack in freezing weather. Growing clematis in containers is a great choice for many gardeners who are looking for interesting and beautiful flowering plants for decks, patios, or even containers to place out within borders and gardens.. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 110,444 times. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has been viewed 110,444 times. You have to make a hole at the bottom of the pot to let the excess water flow. Read on to learn more. For more tips, including how to prune your Clematis, read on! Clematis can also sometimes be a shrub. Clematis can be overwintered in pots and containers, even in the coldest climates – providing they belong to the correct group for your zone, and your container is freeze-safe. If you live in a cold, northern climate, a layer of mulch or compost will help protect the roots. Planting Clematis in Pots I'm glad to know I can use pots for this. When planted in a pot, what is the recommendation for shading the roots? You can place a rock or a tile near the roots to keep them fresh. Learn more... Clematis plants are tall, bushy vines that require a good deal of space. If you plan on keeping the plant outdoors during the winter, you should cover it with mulch after the first freeze. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! In this case, 95% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Check its soil each day to make sure it’s damp. While selecting the right container is a matter of both taste and budget, virtually any containers are useful (thick plastic, ceramic or composite all work well). The best treatment is to remove the first 5 cm (2") of dirt and cut the plant under the dead part. Clematis Container Growing. Stone pots can last through a variety of temperatures, but they are often even heavier than clay pots. Clematis plants are notably sensitive to cycles of freezing and refreezing. Container Care. The fertilizer you choose should be balanced in nitrogen and potassium with a slightly higher content of phosphorus. If the clematis is healthy and in a freeze-safe container that is at least 2 … All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Potted clematis need more care and attention than clematis grown in a garden, but as long as you plant this flowering vine in a large container filled with rich potting mix, and provide the vine with ample support as it grows, you should be able to get your clematis to live strongly for several years. As soon as the Clematis is planted, install a trellis or other support for the vine to climb.