We are used to seeing climbing plants growing on walls, walls or lattices, giving an exquisite shade which is appreciated when the temperatures are very high, but ... what happens when you do not have a garden, or when the space in which you can put some plants is limited?
If we find ourselves in this situation we will not have to worry about, well there are several species of climbing potted plants that are smaller in size than the others, and / or that they tolerate pruning quite well.
Clematis (Alpine clematis)
Image - Wikimedia / Enrico Blasutto
There are many species of Clematis, but for rusticity and versatility we are going to stay with the alpine c.. This is a pot vine whose leaves are evergreen, and during spring it produces blue flowers (from March to May in the northern hemisphere). It grows up to approximately 4 meters in height, and tolerates pruning.
It is not demanding, but it is advisable that the substrate contains perlite or arlite mixed with the peat so that the water can drain easily. Resists up to -20ºC.
Climbing ficus (Ficus line up)
Image - Wikimedia / Ixitixel
El climbing ficus it is an evergreen plant between 2 and 4 meters high if it has a support to climb. Its leaves are simple and green, very numerous. It can also be used as a ground cover, although we invite you to have it in a pot as it has a rapid growth rate and must be controlled.
It requires sun, as well as moderate watering. Keep in mind that it does not support drought, and even less so if it is in a pot, since the soil dries out more quickly in it. But it is certainly one of the easiest potted climbing plants to care for. It resists weak frosts down to -2ºC.
Canary flower (Tropaeolum peregrinum)
Image - Wikimedia / AfroBrazilian: Aleksandrs Balodis
This beautiful climber known as the canary flower or canary vine is a perennial plant with an annual cycle (it only lives for one year) that has characteristic green lobed leaves. During the summer it produces yellow flowers with petals that simulate the wings of a bird.
Although his life is short, that should not discourage you: you can save their seeds and sow them every year. It germinates well and quickly. Of course, keep in mind that it is one of the climbing plants with potted flowers that need sun.
Ivy (Hedera helix)
Image - Wikimedia / James St. John
La ivy is a very fast growing and very vigorous evergreen climber that can reach 6 meters in height if you have support. Despite this, as it tolerates pruning very well, we wanted to include it in our selection, since it also resists moderate frosts down to -15ºC.
You will have to trim its stems to control it, but you are sure to enjoy it. Put it in semi-shade or shade, and give it moderate watering.
Star Jasmine (Jasminum multiflorum)
Image - Wikimedia / Forest & Kim Starr
Star jasmine is one of the small and most productive climbing plants that you will be able to grow. It is evergreen, and its height does not exceed 2 meters. Its time of greatest splendor is in spring, which is when clusters of between 3 and 30 white and fragrant flowers each sprout.
The only drawback is that it must be protected from moderate frosts, since it only resists up to -2ºC, as well as direct sun.
Jasmine from Madagascar (Stephanotis floribunda)
Image - Wikimedia / Kor! An (Андрей Корзун)
Also known as wax flower, is a perenniphoiliary climber that reaches 6 meters in height. Its leaves are evergreen, and produces white flowers clustered in clusters during spring and summer, very fragrant.
It must be placed in semi-shade, in an area protected from the cold since temperatures below 0 degrees do not supports. If there is frost in your area, you can have it indoors or in a greenhouse.
Passion fruit (Passiflora)
Image - Wikimedia / Claudemir Brundani
The species that produces the fruit known as passion fruit It is an evergreen climber of tropical origin that reaches a height of 5-6 meters (up to 9 in its places of origin). In spring it produces a compound flower, about 5 centimeters in diameter, and white and lilac in color. The berry measures between 4 and 10 centimeters, and is edible.
You can prune it to the size you want after winter, when temperatures are above 16ºC. Withstands cold, as well as frosts down to -2ºC. It is advisable to have it in semi-shade.
Poet's eyes (Thunbergia alata)
La Thunbergia alata it is an evergreen climber of tropical origin that reaches a height of 2 to 3 meters. It is a fast growing species that produces yellow or orange flowers.
Es sensitive to cold, but it can be grown without problems indoors during the winter if it is placed away from drafts. Outdoors, it must be in a sunny place, and receive moderate watering since it does not withstand drought.
Climbing rose (Rosa sp)
There are many types of rose bushes, and one of them is the climber. Of this type, there are very beautiful varieties, such as for example pink banksiae, which reaches a height of 6 meters and produces yellow and double flowers; or the Rosa Mon Jardin et ma Maison, 2-2,5 meters long and whose flowers are creamy-white.
All of them they must be kept in a sunny or semi-shady place, and they have to be pruned regularly so that they produce a large quantity of roses. They resist up to -18ºC.
Purple Yedra from Mexico (Cobaea scandens)
Image - Wikimedia / 阿 橋 HQ
La Cobaea scandens it is a perennial climber, although in cold climates it is grown as an annual. It can measure up to 6 meters in height, and develops stems with alternate leaves composed of about 3 green leaflets. It produces flowers that are first greenish-yellow and then purple of about 5 centimeters in diameter during most of the year..
Due to its origin it is a plant that as soon as the temperature drops below 10ºC it will be very convenient to protect indoors so as not to lose it. Anyway, we advise saving the seeds to sow them in spring, and thus in case it does not survive the winter you could have new specimens. Put it in the sun, this way it will grow better.
Which of these potted climbing plants did you like the most?