Growing Clematis indoors can be a rewarding endeavor, allowing you to enjoy the vibrant, climbing beauty of this plant within your home. While Clematis is traditionally an outdoor garden plant, with the right conditions and care, it can flourish indoors, bringing lush greenery and stunning flowers to your living space.
Best Clematis Types
- Clematis ‘Pixie’: dwarf, evergreen variety with small, fragrant white flowers. Ideal for compact spaces with minimal climbing needs.
- Clematis ‘Bijou’: non-climbing, low-growing with lavender-pink blooms. Perfect for containers; requires little support.
- Clematis ‘Arabella’: semi-herbaceous with purple-blue flowers. Easy care, spreading habit; great for cascading over pots.
- Clematis ‘Sugar Candy’: compact climber with large mauve-pink flowers. Suitable for small supports indoors.
- Clematis ‘Princess Diana’: Vibrant pink, tulip-shaped flowers. Moderate climber that adds bold color.
- Clematis ‘Multiblue’: compact with double blue-violet spiky flowers. Eye-catching and great for bright indoor spots.
- Clematis ‘Little Lemons’: non-climbing, lemon-yellow flowers with a mounding habit. Perfect for low-growth indoor displays.
These varieties offer manageable sizes, stunning blooms, and adaptability, making them excellent choices for indoor gardening.
| Common Name | Clematis, Leather flower |
| Botanical Name | Clematis spp. |
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Plant Type | Perennial, shrub, vine |
| Mature Size | 8-20 ft. long (large flower varieties), 3 to 5 feet long (small flower varieties) |
| Sun Exposure | Full |
| Soil Type | Loamy, well-drained |
| Soil pH | Neutral |
| Bloom Time | Winter, spring, summer, and fall |
| Flower Color | Blue, purple, red, pink, green, yellow, white, bi-color |
| Hardiness Zones | 4-9 (USDA) |
| Native Area | North America |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets, toxic to people |
Care
Planting Indoor Clematis
Proper planting is key to growing a healthy indoor Clematis. Here are essential steps:
Choosing the Right Container
Use a large pot with good drainage to accommodate the plant’s deep root system. A container that’s at least 18-24 inches deep and wide is ideal.
Make sure the pot has drainage holes to avoid waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.
Soil Requirements
- Clematis likes well-drained soil with a slightly alkaline pH. Inspect your plant on a daily basis and treat any infestations right away using insecticidal soap or neem oil. A high-quality potting mix combined with perlite or coarse sand for improved drainage is recommended.
- Adding a small amount of garden lime can help achieve the slightly alkaline conditions Clematis favors.
Support Structure
- Provide a small trellis, plant support, or decorative sticks for the plant to climb on. Even compact varieties appreciate a little support to help maintain an upright and attractive growth habit.
Light Requirements
Clematis thrives in bright, indirect light. Ensuring the right light conditions is crucial for robust growth and blooming:
Light Exposure
- Place your Clematis near a south- or west-facing window where it can receive at least 6 hours of bright light each day.
- If natural light is insufficient, supplement with a grow light to provide the intensity Clematis needs, especially during shorter winter days.
Temperature and Humidity
- Clematis prefers moderate indoor temperatures, ideally between 60-75°F (15-24°C). Avoid placing the plant near drafts, heaters, or air conditioning units.
- Maintain moderate humidity. If the indoor air is dry, especially in winter, use a humidifier or place a water-filled tray with pebbles near the plant to enhance humidity levels.
Watering and Feeding
Proper watering and feeding are essential to keep your indoor Clematis healthy:
Watering
- Make sure the soil is constantly damp but not drenched. Water when the top inch of the soil feels dry, ensuring the water drains well to prevent root issues.
- Reduce watering slightly during the plant’s dormant period in late fall and winter when growth slows.
Fertilizing
- Feed your Clematis with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). A 10-10-10 fertilizer is ideal to support both foliage and flower development.
- Reduce feeding during the dormant months to avoid over-fertilization.
Maintenance and Pruning
Pruning helps maintain the shape and vigor of indoor Clematis:
Pruning Guidelines
- Lightly prune indoor Clematis in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Remove dead, weak, or overcrowded stems.
- For compact varieties, minimal pruning is often sufficient. For larger, repeat-blooming types, trim back to healthy buds to encourage more flowers.
Cleaning and Care
- Dust can accumulate on the leaves, reducing the plant’s ability to photosynthesize efficiently. Wipe the leaves gently with a damp cloth to keep them clean and free of pests.
Propagation
- Stem Cuttings:
- When: Late spring to early summer.
- How: Take 4-6 inch cuttings, remove lower leaves, dip in rooting hormone, and plant in a peat-perlite mix. Cover with plastic for humidity; roots in 4-6 weeks.
- Layering:
- When: Early spring or late summer.
- How: Bury a low stem section in soil, secure with a stake, and water regularly. Once rooted, cut and pot separately.
- Division:
- When: Early spring.
- How: Split the root ball into sections with shoots, replant in new pots, and water thoroughly.
- Seeds:
- When: Ideally in spring.
- How: Sow seeds in a seed tray with well-draining soil; keep moist; germination can take weeks to months.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Yellowing Leaves
- This can be a sign of overwatering or inadequate light. Adjust your watering schedule and ensure the plant gets enough indirect sunlight.
Poor Flowering
- Insufficient light, incorrect pruning, or lack of nutrients can hinder blooming. Ensure proper light exposure, follow the correct pruning routine, and provide balanced fertilization.
Pests
- Indoor Clematis can attract pests like aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. Inspect your plant on a daily basis and treat any infestations right away using insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Growing Clematis indoors can be a delightful way to bring this stunning climber into your home environment. By selecting the right variety, providing appropriate light, water, and support, and maintaining a consistent care routine, your indoor Clematis will reward you with lush growth and beautiful blooms. With attention to its needs, this elegant plant can become a striking focal point in your indoor garden, adding a touch of natural beauty to your living space.