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Here’s everything about How to Grow Clematis in a Pot and have the beautiful blooms of the Queen of Climbers on your patio or balcony!
Leather flower or Clematis is a hardy climbing vine with masses of attractive blooms of solid colors and dual shades ranging from white to reds, or pale pastels to dark purples. If you too want to have this plant in your home, then here’s all you need to know about How to Grow Clematis in a Pot!
No matter where you live you can enjoy clematis flowers, even if you live in an incredibly cold area.
How? Potted clematis plants. Growing them in pots allows you to not only situate them anywhere in your garden but cultivate them in areas where the soil or the ground itself might not be ideal.
Even though they are flexible in terms of the soil parameters they require, you simply might live in an area where you don’t have suitable soil, you don’t have the time or money to change the soil, and the ground freezes over in winter to such degrees that you can’t keep the plants alive. However, you simply might prefer to grow them in pots and containers.
Clematis in Containers
When you are growing clematis in containers you need to consider the size of the container first and foremost.
The size, double standard, calls for a minimum of 45cm in diameter but this is for smaller clematis that reaches no more than two meters in height.
Containers that are larger than this are obviously suitable for larger clematis and allow for full maturity. Also, the deeper the container the better because clematis prefers to have cool roots.
The second consideration for clematis in containers is the type of material used. Some materials are simply heavier than others so if you are going to pick a pot that is crafted from hard clay or cement, you need to place it in your garden where you want the plant to grow. If you try to plant it and then move it afterward you will find it far too heavy, especially once you add the soil and the plant. Similarly, the material chosen impacts the ability of your container being able to stand up to the winter weather.
Things like terracotta or ceramic might not withstand freezing temperatures without cracking, so if these are the containers you have, it might be in your best interest to consider placing them on a movable pallet and bringing them inside for the winter. Alternatively, you can pick resin containers or wooden containers that are able to withstand winter temperatures without sustaining any damage and those can be left exactly where they are in your garden. Remember though that wood rots so invest in quality timber pots. We really like resin pots because they are mostly frost-proof and don’t rot.
Planting your Clematis in Pots
When you are ready to plant and you have the appropriate pot you need to start by digging a hole that is slightly larger than the pot in which the clematis was purchased. Chances are you have purchased your clematis from a nursery, hopefully, one that is at least 2 years old so that you can expedite maturity and full flower production. Whatever the age, be incredibly careful with the clematis when you transplant it because the roots can be easily broken.
Once you have dug the hole mix in potting compost that is designed for container growing because it usually has a long-term feed in it and then adds a little slow-release fertilizer. Transport the clematis directly into the hole and cover any remaining areas, add some mulch around the perimeter of the pot if necessary, and water it.
As a new plant, it will likely need watering once a week until it reaches maturity, and once established, you can reduce the watering, especially by adding mulch on top to help retain moisture.
A few centimeters of mulch will allow the soil to maintain a cooler temperature while the rest of the plant gets full sunlight. Even once established, check whether it needs watering regularly by checking if the top 2 inches of the compost is dry.
Best Time to Plant Clematis
Spring or fall is the best time of the year to plant Clematis. You can also choose to grow the plant during summers but it will need extra attention, care, and love in the hot climate!
Requirements for Growing Clematis in Pots
Location
The plant is happy in a spot that receives full and direct sunlight for about 6-8 hours every day which helps the plant produce maximum blooms all year round. While growing indoors, go for a south-facing window.
Soil
Clematis loves well-draining and moist soil that is either neutral or slightly alkaline. Adding a bit of compost or manure to the growing medium will also give it the right boost.
Adding a layer of mulch is also a good idea, as it will help in moisture retention, extra nourishment to the roots, and added protection during winters.
Watering
You need to bear in mind that growing in containers would need more watering, as pots tend to dry out much faster. Make sure you water the plant before it dries off completely. Keep a check on the topsoil during the hot days of summer – you might need to increase the frequency of watering.
Temperature
This plant is happiest with warm, direct sun on its foliage. It does best in the temperature range of 64-94 F (18-34 C). In warmer climates, it is recommended to provide partial shade to the plant.
