Wisteria is an absolute powerhouse in the garden. Within just a few short years, this plant can completely take over walls or trellises. While it’s stunning, those strong vines can actually damage your siding, and the root systems are just as aggressive underground. If you’re thinking about adding one to your yard, here’s the lowdown on how this plant grows.
How Fast Does Wisteria Actually Grow?
Wisteria is a speed demon, shooting up by as much as 5 feet (1.5 meters) every single year. Because it grows so vigorously, it’ll quickly outgrow a standard pot or container. Unless you’re committed to constant pruning or training it as a small bonsai-style tree, it’s going to want to reach for the sky. But just how big does it get when planted in the ground?
There’s a good reason many gardeners use wisteria as a living privacy screen or hedge. As the name suggests, it produces a breathtaking waterfall of blue-purple flowers. However, because those blooms and leaves get quite heavy, you’ll need a serious support system to keep the vines from collapsing under their own weight.
When wisteria has a sturdy, stable structure to climb, it’s easily one of the most beautiful sights in a garden. Just a quick heads-up for parents: keep in mind that the flowers and leaves are toxic if eaten. If you have little ones running around who like to taste-test the greenery, you might want to skip this one for now.
Wisteria Size and Growth Habits
Plant Characteristics:
- Fast-growing with incredibly strong woody vines
- Grows about 3 to 5 feet per year
- Can reach a total height of up to 100 feet (30 meters)
- Usually tops out between 25 and 40 feet in a typical garden setting
To keep the roots from staging a hostile takeover of your entire backyard, I highly recommend installing a root barrier when you plant it. You also want to give it plenty of breathing room away from walkways and your home’s foundation. If planted too close, wisteria has been known to crack siding or even lift up heavy paving stones. Definitely something you want to avoid!
