Clematis are really easy to grow in pots, and for the most part, they tend to grow fairly well, although not all pots are good for growing Clematis. Some pots can greatly benefit the Clematis while others will stunt their growth.
Avoid using plastic pots or containers for clematis, as they tend to heat up excessively in the summer and provide inadequate protection for the plant’s root system during the winter. Instead, opt for terracotta pots, ceramic or glazed containers, or wooden half-barrels that have thicker walls. These types of containers offer better insulation and temperature regulation, which can contribute to the overall health and success of your clematis plants.
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When choosing a pot for the Clematis, you have to think about where the pot will be positioned first. Clematis love full sun, although they also like it if their roots are a little bit cooler in a shaded area. Clematis are prone to drying out as their roots tend to be fairly shallow this is especially problematic for newly planted ones. When it comes to the size of the pot for the Clematis, always use a wide pot, as it tends to spread out a bit.
A lot of people tend to grow their Clematis in tall pots, and they do look great, although it isn’t necessary to grow them in tall pots. If the leaves of your Clematis are turning brown after flowering then check out my recent article Clematis Brown Leaves After Flowering ( 6 Main Reasons ).
Best Pots For Clematis
When choosing pots for clematis, it’s important to consider their specific needs. Clematis prefer containers that are at least 18 inches in diameter and have a depth of 12 inches or more to accommodate their deep root system. Opt for pots made of durable materials like terracotta or plastic, as they provide good insulation and allow for proper drainage. Ensure that the pots have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.
Additionally, consider using a trellis or obelisk within the pot to support the climbing habit of the clematis. This will help the plant grow vertically and showcase its beautiful flowers. Remember to place the pots in a location that receives adequate sunlight, as clematis thrive in full to partial sun.
Clay Pots
The best pots for Clematis are clay pots, no matter if you are growing them indoors or outside. There are two main things that make clay pots excellent for clematis, they don’t heat up when they are placed in a full sun location, and they also allow air to circulate in the pot which promotes the growth of the roots. You will notice that once you water the Clematis in a clay pot, it will hold on to some moisture for a fairly long time.
Clay pots are also good at dissipating heat, the side that has full sun will be somewhat hotter, but the other side will be relatively cool. Other pots that tend to absorb a lot of heat without dissipating it, can dry out the soil and basically cook the entire plant.
Terracotta Pots
Terracotta and clay pots are fairly similar, although they have small differences. When it comes to growing Clematis in terracotta pots, the main difference will be the air circulation in the pot. Terracotta pots have larger porosity which allows not only air but moisture to circulate through the pot itself. Terracotta pots for Clematis are ideal if you live in a hotter environment, as these pots are excellent at retaining moisture.
You can also use terracotta pots for Clematis if you live in a more humid environment, but as these pots are excellent at retaining moisture, the potting mix might end up holding too much moisture which might lead to root rot. If you love the look of terracotta pots, and you live in a humid environment, all you need to do is to water the Clematis less, only when the top inch of the soil is dry, this way the moisture will not build up in the potting mix.
Concrete Pots
Concrete pots tend to be rather larger, although this is what makes them so beautiful. When it comes to Clematis, they will grow really well in concrete pots, although you should definitely use companion plants as well, at least until the Clematis matures. Concrete pots do absorb some heat, although due to their size, they will remain relatively cool the entire day.
The one thing you have to look out for when it comes to concrete pots is the drainage hole, not all concrete pots have them, and they can accumulate a lot of water once it rains. Concrete pots are excellent for growing two or more Clematis in the same pot, for more info, check out my recent article Two Clematis In One Container ( In 6 Steps ).
Plastic Pots
Plastic pots are the most common types of pots, and for the Clematis they are by far the worst types of pots you can use. You can get away with growing Clematis in plastic pots indoors, but if you are growing your Clematis outside in plastic pots then I have bad news for you. One of the biggest problems with plastic pots is that they absorb way too much heat, to the point where they will dry out the potting mix.
You will often see the potting mix actually shrink in plastic pots that are in full sun locations. Watering the Clematis in plastic pots when the soil has shrunk and compacted will be impossible, most of the water will simply run off. Another massive problem with plastic pots is that they do not allow air to circulate in the potting mix, which stunts the growth of the roots.
If you want to use plastic pots for growing Clematis outside, then get the biggest pot you can, the bigger the pot is the less likely it is that it will dry out the potting mix. You should also use mulch in the plastic pot, this will retain water and will stop the potting mix from overheating and drying out. If the leaves of the Clematis are turning purple then check out my recent article Clematis Leaves Turning Purple ( Top 3 Reasons ).
Metal Pots
Galvanized metal pots do bring some shine and brightness to our gardens, but they are really bad for growing Clematis in them. The problem with metal pots is similar to the plastic ones, they tend to absorb way too much heat and basically cook the entire plant. If they are placed directly on the ground they could rust in a couple of years, although small holes might also appear faster, making them very bad for growing plants in them.
Key Takeaways
- The best pots for Clematis are clay and terracotta pots, both of them allow air and even moisture to circulate in the pot, and most importantly they do not absorb heat. Concrete pots can also be used, although you will have to make sure that they have drainage holes. Plastic and metal pots are by far the worst for growing Clematis as they absorb soo much heat that they can dry out the potting mix and kill the entire plant.
- Plastic pots should be avoided for growing Clematis outside, although you can still use them indoors.
- If you want to use concrete pots, then use some companion plants until the Clematis fills in the empty spaces.