How To Plant Clematis: 13 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Plant Clematis PDF download Download Article Reviewed by Ben Barkan

Last Updated: February 24, 2025 Approved

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  • Getting Ready to Plant
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  • Caring for Clematis
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  • Pruning Clematis
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  • Video
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  • Expert Q&A
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  • Tips
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  • Warnings
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This article was reviewed by Ben Barkan. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 16 testimonials and 87% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 184,766 times.

Clematis are vines that come in a stunning variety of colors and bloom ranges. They’re perennials, blooming in the spring and summer and dying back in the fall and winter, and can grow up to 20 feet (6.1 m) tall with lifespans of over 80 years. Clematis require full sun on its blooms and cool shade over the roots in order to thrive. See Step 1 to learn how to plant and care for beautiful clematis.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Getting Ready to Plant

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  1. Step 1 Pick a clematis cultivar. 1 Pick a clematis cultivar. Clematis flowers come in an enormous range of shapes and colors, from pink blooms that span 6 inches across to drooping blue bells to starry white flowers. They've grown in popularity in recent years, so many nurseries offer dozens of varieties to choose from. When you decide which cultivar to buy, take the color, shape, potential shade and sun requirements into account. Clematis often take several years to flower, so look for a potted plant that has an established root system, visible at the drainage holes. Here are the most common clematis cultivars:[1]
    • Nelly Moser: Has large, pink flowers and is one of the most common types of clematis. It's hardy and easy to establish.
    • Ernest Markham: Has stunning magenta flowers and grows vigorously on trellises and arbors. This variety blooms last, from late spring to fall.
    • Niobe: Has red flowers and is a suitable choice for growing in a pot, since it doesn't get very large.
    • Princess Diana: Has pale pink, bell-shaped flowers and does particularly well in very hot climates.
    • Jackmanii: Has deep purple blooms and grows vigorously; a widely available favorite.
    • Venosa Violacea: Has abundant blue-violet blooms and vines that climb vigorously.
    • Apple Blossom: Has small white blooms; grows as an evergreen.
  2. Step 2 Choose a sunny location. 2 Choose a sunny location. Clematis may come in an amazing range of shapes and sizes, but they have similar needs when it comes to sun and temperature. They are hardy plants that require at least 6 hours of full sun per day.[2]
    • Clematis are hardy from growing zone 3 to zone 9.[3]
    • A few varieties of clematis will grow in partial shade. This varies by variety, but large-flowered clematis may not reach their full potential unless they have full sun for 4 hours per day.
    • Look for a spot with low-growing perennials and groundcover that will shade the roots of the clematis but allow it to grow into full sun about 12 inches above the ground. Large-flowered clematis prefer cool roots and full sun on the vine and flowers. If you can't find a spot with groundcover, add the groundcover later or mulch 4 in (10.2 cm) deep around the clematis to keep the roots cool.
    • You can also plant clematis near the base of a shrub or small tree. The clematis will grow up the branches without harming the "companion" shrub or tree.[4]
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  3. Step 3 Choose a spot with well-draining soil. 3 Choose a spot with well-draining soil. The location shouldn't be so dry that it doesn't retain moisture, but it should drain well enough that standing water doesn't sit around the roots of the clematis. To test whether the soil in an area drains well, dig a hole and fill it with water. If the water drains immediately, the soil is on the sandy side. If the water stands in the hole, the soil has too much clay, and doesn't drain fast enough. If the water slowly but steadily seeps into the soil, it's just right for clematis.
  4. Step 4 Test the soil for its pH level. 4 Test the soil for its pH level. Clematis prefer the soil to be neutral or alkaline over acidic, but many adapt to lightly acidic soils (6.5-6.8) If you conduct a test and determine that the pH is a little too acidic, sweeten the soil by mixing in limestone or wood ash.[5]
  5. Step 5 Dig a hole and enrich the soil. 5 Dig a hole and enrich the soil. Dig a hole several inches deeper than the pot the clematis came in, so that when you plant it the soil comes right up to the first set of leaves. Before you plant the clematis, amend the soil by working in compost and granular organic fertilizer.[6] This will ensure that the plant has enough nutrients to establish itself in the first few months after planting.
    • If you're working with soil that tends to be clay heavy (slow to drain), dig the hole a few inches deeper than you normally would. If your soil is sandy (quick to drain), a slightly shallower hole will be better for the plant's roots, so they're close enough to the surface to get plenty of water.
  6. Step 6 Prune the clematis. 6 Prune the clematis. It helps reduce transplant shock by pruning a clematis by about 1/3 its length as you find it at the time of purchase. If the plant is blooming, enjoy the blooms before planting, and then prune and plant. No matter how careful you are in planting, you will damage some feeder roots benefiting the vines and leaves. A 1/3 pruning helps relieve this stress by giving damaged roots less vine to support at planting time. Very gently remove the clematis from the pot it came in, taking care not to rip or break the fragile roots and shoots, but know that some damage is likely. Set the root ball into the hole, and for large flowered clematis only, place about 3-5 in (7.6-12.7 cm) below the surface of the dirt, and pat the soil around its base stem. The soil should come up to the first set of leaves; if it doesn't, lift out the root ball and dig the hole a bit deeper. Leave the stake in place so that the young clematis has something to grow against for the first year.
  7. Step 7 Mulch around the roots. 7 Mulch around the roots. Place 4 inches of composted organic mulch around the base of the clematis to keep the roots cool. Do not use straw or raw bark mulch, since these with soak up nitrogen as they decay, robbing your clematis. You can also plant or encourage the growth of low-growing perennials whose leaves will shade the roots of the clematis throughout the summer.[7]
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Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Caring for Clematis

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  1. Step 1 Keep clematis well watered. 1 Keep clematis well watered. Give the clematis long, deep drinks of water whenever the soil seems dry. To test whether it is dry, stick your finger in the soil, then pull it out. If you didn't hit wet soil, it's time to water the clematis.
    • Don't water the clematis too often, though; since the roots are shaded, water may tend to sit for a longer period of time before it evaporates.
    • Water in the morning, rather than in the evening, so that the water has time to dry and be absorbed before night falls.
  2. Step 2 Provide a support for the clematis. 2 Provide a support for the clematis. Clematis will become ground covers unless they have a vertical structure to climb. During the first year, the support that came with the clematis will be sufficient for the plant's needs, but after that you'll need to provide a larger support, like a trellis or arbor, to encourage it to grow bigger. There are, however, clematis that do not climb and are herbaceous perennials.
    • Clematis grows by twisting its leaf stems around slender supports like twine, fishing line, thin branches, or wire grids. Be sure the support you provide isn't too wide for the leaf stems to reach around. It should be less than .5 inches (1.27 centimeters) in diameter.
    • If you have a trellis or arbor made with wide pieces of wood, line it with a wire grid or attach some fishing line to provide a support thin enough for the clematis to wrap around.
    • As the clematis grows larger and reaches around the support, you can help it stay in place by "trussing" it: loosely tying it to the structure with fishing. line.[8]
  3. Step 3 Fertilize the clematis. 3 Fertilize the clematis. Every 4 to 6 weeks, from April to September in most climates. Feed the clematis with 4-6-2 fertilizer (called rose and flower food) or side dress it with compost by spreading it around the plant's base. Clematis require plenty of nutrients to grow strong and produce abundant flowers.[9]
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Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Pruning Clematis

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  1. Step 1 Prune dead or damaged stems at any time. 1 Prune dead or damaged stems at any time. While clematis aren't prone to being affected by pests, large flowered clematis can get a fungal disease that can cause the entire plant to turn black and die. If you see a dead or wilting stem on the clematis, use a clean pair of pruning shears to trim it away at the base. As you prune, look for slug damage or a break that may have caused the stem to collapse. Disinfect the shears in an isopropyl alcohol or a bleach solution between cuts so you don't spread the disease to other parts of the plant.
  2. Step 2 Prune away the oldest stems. 2 Prune away the oldest stems. Since flowering becomes less abundant on stems over 4 years old, you can cut off the oldest stems to encourage new ones to grow. Wait until after the first bloom of the season, then use a pair of clean pruning shears to remove the stems at the base stem.[10]
  3. Step 3 Perform annual pruning... 3 Perform annual pruning according to the cultivar's requirements, knowing that bloom time will be manipulated by when and how much you prune, anywhere from deadheading (only taking off spent flowers) to a hard prune (taking the plant back to 12" tall or less). Some clematis does well with an annual pruning to encourage fresh growth. However, different cultivars may be pruned at different times of year. It's important to decide when to prune your specific cultivar, based on what flowering partners it is near, and some clematis only flower in spring with no repeat. You might be removing flower-producing stems if you prune at the wrong time of year.
    • Plants that bloom on old wood, meaning the flowers appear on last year's stems, require no pruning except to remove anything that has died; control their size a bit and keep them contained. After they flower, prune back to a pair of healthy buds. ('Apple Blossom' should be pruned to whatever degree you think necessary immediately after it finishes flowering. Late summer pruning of evergreen clematis like this will remove next year's flowering wood, and stimulate new growth that will freeze in the winter, greatly weakening the whole plant.)
    • Plants that bloom first on old wood and again on new wood, meaning the flowers appear on last year's stems and new spring stems, may be pruned as needed, anytime. Prune in early spring, before they bloom, to remove weak stems, or hard prune to produce later flowers if that is what you would prefer, then again after they bloom to encourage rebloom and keep the growth under control. (Nelly Moser, Niobe, and Ernest Markham are in this group.)
    • Plants that bloom on new wood, meaning the flowers appear only on new spring stems, should be cut back to 12 inches at the beginning of spring. (This includes Princess Diana, Jackmanii, and Venosa Violacea.)
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question What is the best time of year to plant a clematis? Maggie Moran Maggie Moran Home & Garden Specialist Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. Maggie Moran Maggie Moran Home & Garden Specialist Expert Answer The best time would be in the fall, allowing the roots to stabilize and grow before the spring growth. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 1
  • Question How deep do you plant a clematis? Maggie Moran Maggie Moran Home & Garden Specialist Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. Maggie Moran Maggie Moran Home & Garden Specialist Expert Answer You plant it 3 to 4 inches below the surface, keeping the soil well-drained. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 1
  • Question Can I plant clematis in full sun? Maggie Moran Maggie Moran Home & Garden Specialist Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. Maggie Moran Maggie Moran Home & Garden Specialist Expert Answer Yes, you can. Clematis plants need 6 hours of sun or more per day, which is considered "full sun." Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
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Tips

  • Choose a plant that is thriving and strong when making your purchase. There should be roots appearing at drainage holes, and more than one stem arising from the soil. A good roots system in the key to success. Some clematis take a few years to show their full potential. The older your plant, the less time you will have to wait for its beauty. For instance, buying a #2 sized plant is better than buying a #1 plant, and small clematis (called liners) in 4" pots or smaller should be transplanted into #1 sized pots until their roots appear at the drainage holes, guaranteeing a sturdy root system. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
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Warnings

  • Ensure that you can give your clematis the room it needs to grow. Consider searching for a shorter variety of clematis if you do not have the room taller varieties need to thrive. Smaller versions can live happily in containers and smaller gardens. In the wild, clematis scramble through shrubs and small trees, so many gardeners enjoy mixing and matching their clematis with living partners, rather than building or buying trellises and arbors. Herbaceous perennial clematis tend to grow in full sun in the wild, and work great in mixed perennial flower borders. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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References

  1. ↑ https://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/267/#b
  2. ↑ https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/grow-clematis/8203.html
  3. ↑ https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/grow-clematis/8203.html
  4. ↑ https://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/how-to-grow-clematis-vines
  5. ↑ https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/grow-clematis/8203.html
  6. ↑ https://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/how-to-grow-clematis-vines
  7. ↑ https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/grow-clematis/8203.html
  8. ↑ https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/grow-clematis/8203.html
  9. ↑ https://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/how-to-grow-clematis-vines
More References (1)
  1. ↑ https://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/how-to-grow-clematis-vines

About This Article

Ben Barkan Reviewed by: Ben Barkan Garden & Landscape Designer This article was reviewed by Ben Barkan. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This article has been viewed 184,766 times. 81 votes - 87% Co-authors: 17 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 184,766 Categories: Growing Flowers Article SummaryX

If you want to plant clematis, choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight each day, with well-drained soil that doesn’t have standing water after a heavy rain. Dig a hole several inches deeper than the pot the clematis came in, and add compost and fertilizer to the soil in the hole. Carefully remove the clematis from the pot and set the root ball into the hole. Pat the soil around the base stem so it comes up to about the first set of leaves. Place a 4-inch layer of mulch around the base of the clematis, then soak the soil thoroughly. For tips from our gardening reviewer on caring for your clematis, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Ben Barkan Reviewed by: Ben Barkan Garden & Landscape Designer Co-authors: 17 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 184,766 87% of readers found this article helpful. 81 votes - 87% Click a star to add your vote Eleanor Whitelegge

Eleanor Whitelegge

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"Thank you for providing this article! I have never grown clematis before, so found it very useful. The instructions..." more Linda Peters

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"I love my Jackmanii clematis, and I bought it in a container. The second year after I planted it, I had over 200..." more Kathleen Corrigan

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"Great step-by-step guide for planting and taking care of clematis! I am preparing to plant my first couple of..." more Sreedevi Murthy

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