Clematis plants are one of the most eye catching ones in our gardens, even if you are growing them indoors, their fabulous colors and differently shaped flowers will definitely bring a lot of color into your house or garden.
Two Clematis plants can be grown in one container, you can either use the same type of Clematis for one massive bloom like Group 2 Clematis, or different types to increase the blooming time. Group 1 Clematis for spring blooms and Group 3 Clematis for summer-fall blooms. Using a trellis is a must when growing two or more Clematis in the same pot, and make sure to prune them before they become a tangled mess.
If you are growing two Clematis in the same pot then my personal recommendation is to use a garden trellis that can be used for pots as well Click here to check it out on Amazon.com
Clematis plants grow really well in pots, for the most part, these plants tend to have shallow roots, so you don’t even need a deep pot for them. As you can grow two or even more Clematis plants in one container, you can easily have them bloom from the spring to fall, as long as you use different types of Clematis. Your biggest challenge when growing multiple Clematis plants in one container will be pruning.
You can simply not allow these plants to grow without pruning, it will end up a mess, especially if you are growing multiple types of Clematis plants in the same container. If you want to know how to grow Clematis indoors then check out my recent article How To Grow Clematis Indoors ( In 7 Easy Steps ).
Two Clematis In One Container
Growing two clematis plants in one container can create a stunning display of color and variety. To successfully plant two clematis in one container, choose compatible varieties that have similar growth habits and requirements. Select a large container with good drainage and fill it with a well-draining potting mix. Position a sturdy trellis or support structure in the center of the container. Plant each clematis near the base of the support, ensuring that their roots have enough space to grow and develop.
Water the plants thoroughly after planting and maintain consistent moisture in the soil. Provide regular fertilization throughout the growing season to promote healthy growth and abundant flowering. Monitor the plants for any signs of competition or overcrowding, and make adjustments if necessary.
Use A Wide Container
If you want to plant two or more Clematis in the same pot then you should definitely use a wider pot. As Clematis plants have fairly shallow roots, it isn’t necessary for the pot to be tall. If you are growing the clematis indoors then you can get away with plastic pots, but if you are growing them outdoors then clay or terracotta pots are a must. Clay pots will absorb a lot of heat if placed outside, and this heat will evaporate most of the water and slowly cook the roots of the Clematis. If you want to know why the Clematis leaves are turning purple then check out my recent article Clematis Leaves Turning Purple ( Top 3 Reasons ).
Plan The Clematis Blooming Time
The best part about planting two or even more Clematis in the same container is that you can plan ahead when they bloom depending on the type of Clematis you actually use. You will have two options, either let them flower one after another, a spring bloomer like Clematis Cirrhosa ( group 1 ), and pair it up with a summer bloomer like Clematis Brachiata ( group 3 ). This way you will get one bloom after the other.
Your second option will be to use Clematis plants that bloom at the same time, for a shorter period but with a lot of flowers. If this is your goal then I highly recommend you use repeat bloomers, these are the Clematis from group 2, like Clematis Beauty of Worcester, Haku Ookan, and so on. There are basically 3 types of Clematis based on when they flower, Group 1 flowers in the spring, Group 2 are repeat flowers usually in the summer, and Group 3 are summer or fall flowering Clematis.
You can make endless combinations of blooming times when planting more types of Clematis in the same pot. If your Clematis is losing its leaves right after flowering then check out my recent article Clematis Brown Leaves After Flowering ( 6 Main Reasons ).
Use A Trellis If You Are Growing Two Clematis In The Same Pot
Clematis plants are vines, which means that they love to climb up trellises, walls, and fences, I have even seen them climb up trees. If you plant two Clematis in the same pot, I do highly recommend you use a trellis. Depending on what kind of trellis you are using you will either let the Clematis plants climb up on each other or try to separate them and make them grow in separate directions.
If you are using a simple trellis that is made for pots then they will climb up on each other, it might look good for a while but after some time it will look like a mess, not to mention, that pruning them this way will be a nightmare. On the other hand, if you force them to climb up on different trellises without climbing up on top of each other, it will look tidier, and pruning will be a lot easier, but it will take some time until they fill the gaps.
Deadhead The Clematis To Increase Their Bloom Time
If you want to have as many Clematis flowers as possible then you will need to deadhead them. Deadheading Clematis is very simple, just cut off the spent flowers, and this will force the plant to grow new ones. If you do not deadhead the Clematis and allow it to grow seed heads, then the plant will not grow new flowers as it is focusing all of its energy on producing seeds.
Pruning Clematis In Containers
The pruning part is a little bit tricky when it comes to having different types of Clematis in the same container. As a general rule if your Clematis is flowering before June then light pruning will be enough, if it is flowering after June then you will need to prune it harder in January or February. With that being said, no matter what kind of Clematis you are growing you will have to prune it from time to time.
If you skip pruning altogether it will become a mess, and the Clematis plants can choke each other out.
Watering Two Clematis In The Same Container
Clematis plants love full sun locations, but they do prefer for their roots to be somewhat in a cooler location. Clematis plants are prone to drying out in pots, especially if you allow the potting mix to compact. As there are two Clematis growing in the same container you will either have to water them more frequently or give them a bit more water. Stick one of your fingers into the soil and if the top inch is dry then it is time to water.
If you are noticing that the soil is shrinking and it isn’t touching the edge of the pot, then the soil has compacted and most of the water will simply run off. In this case, repot the Clematis as soon as possible with a fresh potting mix.
Key Takeaways
- To grow two Clematis in the same pot make sure to use a large enough pot, plan when they will bloom, use a trellis, deadhead the spent flowers, prune them correctly, and give them enough water.
- Do not allow them to grow on top of each other as it will become a tangled mess.
- Clematis plants are prone to drying out in containers, so make sure to water them when they need it.