Place the seeds in a small bowl and fill it with warm water. Let the seeds sit in the water for 24 hours. [1] X Research source After 24 hours, drain the water. On each seed, use your nail to gently pick away a small portion of the seed covering. Note that wisteria should be planted outdoors in the spring or fall, so make sure you start the germination process about six weeks before you want to transplant it outside. [2] X Research source
Place the seed trays in a warm, bright room. Add some water to the soil, and keep it moist for the duration of the sprouting time.
Before you can transplant the sprouts, make sure they are at least four to five inches tall, and have a couple leaves on each stalk. [4] X Research source
If you don’t have an established plant to work with, ask friends or neighbors if they have a wisteria you can use.
With a pair of sharp scissors or gardening snips, cut the shoot near the base. Make sure the cutting you take is about six inches long. You will have the highest chances of success if you do this at the end of spring or beginning of summer.
For the best results, dip the end of the cutting into a rooting hormone before planting it. [8] X Research source
Replace the soil and cover the bottom of the cutting where the roots will grow.
Place the pot in an area where the plant will receive lots of indirect sunlight.
Since it’s best to plant wisteria in spring or fall, don’t plant the wisteria as soon as it begins to take root. Wait until fall to transplant it outside, or continue growing the new plant inside in pots until the following spring.
The plant can grow quite large, so while it will grow nicely as a vine up a gazebo or pergola, this may not be a wise choice unless you’re comfortable getting on a stepladder to prune the tree. Similarly, because wisteria is a climbing vine, avoid planting it near your house or any buildings, as eventually the plant can grow underneath siding, or ruin shutters and frames. [12] X Research source Because wisteria grows so quickly and so heartily, plant it away from other plants, otherwise the wisteria might choke them out. [13] X Research source Wisteria needs lots of sunlight to grow and bloom, so choose an area where the plant will get full sun exposure. The soil type doesn’t matter so much, but wisteria does need good drainage. [14] X Research source
If you’re planting more than one wisteria, make sure the holes are at least 10 to 15 feet (3 to 5 m) apart. [15] X Research source
When the roots slide out of the pod, gently place the plant roots down into the hole. Add enough soil and compost to cover the roots, then water the plant. Allow the water to drain, then fill up the hole with soil and compost. [16] X Research source Use your hands to press down the soil around the plant, and give it some more water. [17] X Research source
Each spring, add a layer of compost and a layer of mulch on top of the soil where the wisteria is. [18] X Research source
When the wisteria plant has established itself, insert a wooden stake six to 12 inches into the ground about one-half inch away from the stalk. Using twine, attach the wisteria stalk to the stake every eight inches. [19] X Research source
Even if you are getting enough rain, you should still give the wisteria a soaking once a week. [20] X Research source
If you want a more formal appearance, try pruning again the summer after the traditional flowering. You can also encourage more blossoms by cutting back shoots every two weeks or so during summer.
