Compact climbers are often the backbone of many old-school vegetable gardens. However, people also plant them in patio pots and balconies because their vertical growth can pretty much adapt to any environment.
If you’re having trouble finding compact climbers suitable for your gardening ventures, worry not, because I’m here to help!
Today, let’s take a look at some compact climbers that are best suited for patio pots and balconies. But first…
DO NOT Skip This If You’re Growing In Pots!
List Of Compact Climbers For Patio Pots & Balconies
1: Clematis ‘Arabella’
Clematis often have very long blooming periods, and their compact growth can be accommodated very well by containers. They can grow up to 4-6 feet in pots, as long as they’re given full sun (partial shade can work too) and maintained properly.
Care tip: Clematis roots need to be protected from the heat and sun, so either mulch around the base of your plants or pair them with a low-growing companion.
To get the most flowers out of your clematis, here are a few care tips to keep it blooming strong all season.
2: Mandevilla
Mandevillas can grow up to 6-8 feet in warm regions. They require full sun to thrive and offer bell/trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of crimson, pink, and white. The blooms are mature-looking and lush, meaning they’ll give your patio some good age and elegance.
Care tip: Mandevillas need to be protected from the cold, so you better be ready to bring them indoors if temperatures ever drop below 50ºF (10°C).
3: Sweet Pea (Lathyrus Odoratus)
Not only are sweet peas super fast-growing, but they’re also incredibly fragrant, having the potential to fill your garden with this sweet, floral smell that’s hard to not fall in love with. These annuals can grow up to 4-6 feet tall in pots and bloom flowers in a variety of colors, including pink, white, purple, and blue.
Care tip: Deadhead your sweet peas regularly to keep the blooms coming continuously.
And if you’re building a pollinator-friendly patio, these container flowers that attract butterflies pair beautifully with sweet peas.
4: Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia Alata)
Black-eyed Susans are known for their tall growth, and they can grow up to 5-7 feet if conditions are favorable. They offer sunflower-like blooms that can thrive in a variety of lighting conditions, including full sun as well as part shade.
Care tip: Black-eyed Susans love moisture! Give them lots of it, especially when it’s hot outside.
5: Honeysuckle ‘Major Wheeler’
Honeysuckles have compact growth but can grow up to 8 feet tall in pots and attract pollinators. They prefer full sun for optimal blooming, and their bright red/orange tubular blooms work surprisingly well for drawing in hummingbirds.
6: Climbing Rose ‘The Fairy’
Climbing rose varieties like ‘The Fairy’ are perfectly suited for container-growing. Plenty of sunlight throughout the day can push them to grow up to 5-6 feet in containers!
Care tip: Feed your climbing roses on a monthly basis and trim them regularly to keep the plants looking full and healthy.
To keep your climbing roses in top shape, here’s how to prune them properly for fuller growth and more blooms.
7: Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum Jasminoides)
Star jasmine is evergreen and can produce fragrant blooms, adding great appeal and an inviting warmth to your patio or balcony. This perennial thrives in full sun to part shade conditions and will grow up to 5-7 feet uninterrupted in pots.
Care tip: Train your star jasmine early by helping it recognize and cling to support. This support will become necessary as the perennial grows taller.
8: Passionflower (Passiflora Caerulea)
Passionflowers are well-known for their unique, exotic blooms as well as the fruit they offer. However, the right climate conditions are crucial for achieving the two. These perennials need full sun and frequent trims to bloom properly and consistently for long periods.
Care tip: Prune your passionflowers vigorously in spring if needed. It won’t harm them; as a matter of fact, these perennials often need hard pruning.
And if you’re growing edible plants alongside your climbers, here are some tasty options that thrive even in partial shade, perfect for mixed balcony gardens.
9: Bougainvillea ‘Vera Deep Purple’
Bougainvilleas are vibrant and drought-tolerant, often thriving through long periods of dryness without causing much trouble. They grow up to 8 feet tall in full sun conditions only, meaning sunny patios are an ideal spot for planting these.
Can You Grow Climbers Indoors Or On A Balcony?
Well…absolutely! Climbers can grow indoors or on a balcony quite well as long as their basic needs are met. This means they should still receive:
You can also opt for different varieties of the same compact climber if you’re trying to maximize indoor growth.
When & How To Prune Climbing Plants In Pots
So, when it comes to pruning climbing plants in pots, the same general guidelines apply.
If the climbers appear to be growing too big and becoming untidy, trim them to bring the size under control. Frequent pruning can help break through growth plateaus and encourage rejuvenated flowering.
If you’re trimming in fall/winter, be extremely careful, or just postpone the trim till the cold season subsides, as it can hinder recovery and reblooming.
And if you’re into container gardening, consider adding a fruit tree or two, many compact varieties thrive in pots with the right pruning approach.
Let’s Conclude
While compact climbers are quite fun and interesting to grow, I do have to admit that they’re not everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you have limited space and are only working with a patio or balcony.
That said, if you have an immense passion for gardening, those limitations can challenge your inner creative and push you to make better, smarter gardening choices. Best of luck!
