Clematis Growing Guide
Clematis is a great next step in your growing journey. Follow this guide from planting to harvest and you'll do great.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Moderate
Category
Vine
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Hardy
Cold Hardiness
Survives to -29°C
Plant Family
Ranunculaceae
Growing Season
Cool Season
Plant Lifecycle
Perennial
Also grows well as
How to Start It
★ Recommended for beginners
Plant a potted clematis deep (5cm below the nursery soil line — it helps it recover from clematis wilt), with the roots shaded and the top in sun.
The 'queen of climbers', smothering supports in big showy flowers. The one rule everyone learns: clematis want their HEADS in the sun but their ROOTS cool and shaded — mulch the base, or set a low plant in front. Pruning depends on the group (early bloomers barely at all; late bloomers cut hard in late winter); if unsure, just lightly tidy after flowering.
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
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Last Chance to Plant
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When should you plant Clematis?
Your planting dates depend on your local climate. Sign up and add your location to unlock personalized dates.
Your Clematis Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Clematis's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
150 cm
Plant Spacing
200 cm
Row Spacing
Vertical Growing
Yes – it's a climber; give it a sturdy support to start with.
Succession Planting
No.
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Growing Tips
- 1Get the planting right and clematis is easy for decades: cool shaded roots (mulch or a 'living mulch' at the base), sunny top, rich soil, and steady water.
- 2Plant it deep to dodge clematis wilt (a sudden collapse it usually regrows from).
- 3Feed in spring as buds form.
- 4Match pruning to the flowering group and you'll get the best display.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
400 cm
Mature Height
150 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
When to Pick
Flowers spring to autumn depending on type; deadhead spent blooms to tidy
How to Harvest
- 1Train new growth onto the support and deadhead spent flowers to keep it neat.
- 2Know your type for pruning: spring bloomers get only a light tidy after flowering; summer/autumn bloomers can be cut back hard to about 30cm in late winter.
- 3When in doubt, prune lightly — you'll not kill it.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
Seed Production
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