Yes, you can grow Boston ivy in pots with the right care. The plant does fine on a patio or deck when you pick a big enough pot. Boston ivy container growing works best with a 20 inch (50 centimeter) wide pot at the very least. Smaller pots choke the roots and the vine fades by year two.
I grew a Veitchii Boston ivy in a 24 inch (60 centimeter) terracotta pot for four years on my own patio. The vine put out 3 feet (0.9 meters) of new growth each summer and covered a tall trellis with no fuss. I had to water more often than a vine in the ground but the plant gave me great fall color each October.
Why does potted Boston ivy grow slower than the same plant in the ground? The roots are stuck in a small space. The plant cannot send roots out to find more water or food. So all the action stays in the pot. You will get maybe half the yearly growth you would see from the same vine planted in your yard.
Boston ivy container size matters more than any other choice you make. Pick a pot at least 20 inches (50 centimeters) wide and 18 inches (45 centimeters) deep. Bigger is better. A 24 inch (60 centimeter) pot gives the roots more room and cuts your water work by half. Skip small pots like 10 to 12 inch (25 to 30 centimeter) sizes that you find at most plant shops.
Pot type also makes a small change in care. Terracotta pots breathe well but dry out fast. Plastic pots hold water longer but can heat up in the sun. Glazed ceramic pots split the gap in nice ways. I use terracotta for the looks and just plan to water more often as a trade-off.
Drainage holes are a must. Your pot needs at least three or four large holes in the base. Add a layer of broken pot bits or coarse gravel in the bottom to keep the holes from clogging. Boston ivy hates wet feet. A pot with no drainage will kill the plant within one season.
Use a quality potting mix made for outdoor plants. Skip cheap house plant soil. Mix in one part compost to three parts potting mix for the best blend. Add a handful of slow release fertilizer to feed the vine for the whole first year. Top dress with one inch (2.5 centimeters) of bark mulch.
Watering is the biggest care job for growing Boston ivy in pots. Water 2 to 3 times each week in summer. Soak the soil until water runs out the drain holes. Cut back to once a week in spring and fall. In winter, water just once a month if the soil dries out.
Hot sunny days may need a daily check. Stick your finger in the soil at 2 inches (5 centimeters) deep. If the soil feels dry, give the pot a good soak. I have lost one vine to a hot July week when I went on a trip and skipped a few water days. Set up a drip system or ask a friend to help when you travel.
Boston ivy in a pot needs its own trellis. The pads will not grip a wall well from inside a pot. Use a 6 to 8 foot (1.8 to 2.4 meter) freestanding trellis stuck deep in the pot. The trellis must be strong. A mature vine can pull a weak trellis right over in a wind storm.
Winter care is the last piece. Container plants take more cold damage than in-ground vines. Move your pot to a sheltered spot before the first hard frost. Wrap the pot in burlap below USDA zone 6 to guard the roots. Or sink the pot into the ground for the winter and dig it back up in spring.
Feed your container climbing vine each spring with a slow release fertilizer. A small dose of liquid fertilizer once a month from May to August keeps the plant strong. Repot every three to four years with fresh mix. Trim the roots a bit at each repot to keep the plant happy in the same pot.
Boston ivy works well in a pot with a big enough size, good drain holes, steady water, and a strong trellis. You will not get the same speed as a vine in the ground, but you can still enjoy fall color and green cover on any patio or balcony. Pick the right pot, follow the care steps, and your potted vine will thrive.
Read the full article: Boston Ivy: Complete Growing Guide
