Growing Vines in Containers
Trumpet vines in containers will not cascade delicately around the edge of a pot. They grow to 25 to 40 feet long (7.5-12 m) and span 5 to 10 feet (1.5-3 m) wide. Choose a container that holds at least 15 gallons (57 liters) – halved barrels are a good choice. Trumpet vines are hardy from USDA zone 4-9, so there’s a good chance you can leave yours outside year-round. This is ideal, as the vines climb through twining and suckering, and moving them indoors once they’re established may be impossible. That being said, make sure your container-grown trumpet vine plants have something sturdy and expansive to climb, like a large wooden or metal trellis.
Care for Trumpet Vines in Containers
Trumpet vines are usually propagated by cuttings, and container-grown trumpet vine plants are no exception. The plants can also be grown from seed, but seedlings usually take several years’ worth of growth to produce flowers in any real quantity. It roots very easily from cuttings, however, which is one of the reasons the species is so invasive. Plant your cutting in well-draining soil and water thoroughly but slowly. You want to wet the entire container’s worth of soil without pooling or eroding, so apply water with a hose spray attachment until it runs freely out of the drainage holes. Water whenever the topsoil gets dry. Trumpet vines in containers need time to establish good root systems – prune back early foliage frequently to encourage more root growth and to discourage tangling of the vine. And keep an eye on it – even trumpet vines in pots can put down roots elsewhere and spread beyond your control.
