Wisteria is a genus of flowering plants in the pea family Fabaceae, native to the Eastern United States and Asia. It is a climbing, woody vine with fragrant, drooping clusters of flowers that can grow up to 30 feet in length. The flowers come in a variety of colors, including blue, purple, white, and pink. The foliage is typically composed of glossy, pinnate leaves. Wisteria can be trained to grow on trellises, arbors, or pergolas, and can make a beautiful addition to any garden.
Planning Your Garden With Wisteria
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Wisteria is a perennial. |
| USDA Zone | Wisteria is hardy in USDA Zones 5-9. |
| Cold Tolerance | Wisteria is generally considered to be hardy in USDA zones 5-9, meaning it can tolerate temperatures down to 25. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest for wisteria is 90 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown wisteria plant is 10 to 25 feet in height and 10 to 25 feet in width. |
| Spacing requirements | The best spacing for growing wisteria is 8-10 feet apart. |
| Sun tolerance | Wisteria is typically considered to be moderately tolerant of full sun, though some varieties may be more tolerant than others. In general, it is best to provide some afternoon shade in hot climates to help reduce stress on the plant. |
| Shade tolerance | Wisteria is tolerant of partial shade but prefers full sun. It will not flower as profusely in shade as it will in full sun. |
| Water requirements | Wisteria plants require a lot of water, especially when young. They should be watered deeply and regularly during the growing season, usually once a week during the summer months. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy. During the winter months, water should be reduced to once every two weeks. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer used when growing wisteria will depend on the type of fertilizer used and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an equal ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should be used at a rate of 1/2 to 1 pound per 100 square feet of soil. It is best to apply the fertilizer in the spring and again in the summer. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing wisteria is 6.0 to 6.5. |
Why Wisteria is Popular
People like to grow wisteria because it is a beautiful flowering vine with fragrant, colorful blooms that can provide a dramatic show of color in the spring and summer months. It is also easy to grow and can be trained to climb walls and frames, making it a popular choice for gardeners and landscapers.
Companion Plants For Wisteria
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for wisteria include:
Common Pests For Wisteria
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow wisteria, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- japanese beetles
- aphids
- whiteflies
- spider mites
- beetles
- scale insects
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
