Ways to grow climbing plants

Many people think climbing plants are only suitable for outdoor spaces like gardens, but did you know they can be cultivated in indoor spaces, as well? Climbing plants add a richness and depth to any garden space and with the proper knowledge, you’ll have healthy and luscious climbing plants.

What’s even better is that certain species of climbing plants can even work well in offices, so you can enjoy the benefits of plants even at your workspace! Whether you’re a seasoned veteran in gardening in your backyard or a working professional seeking the benefits of indoor plants, our Ultimate Guide to Climbing Plants provides you with everything you need to know about cultivating climbing plants indoors and outdoors.

What is a climbing plant?

A climbing plant is a plant which climbs up trees and other tall objects. Many climber plants are vines whose stems wrap around trees and branches but there are other methods of climbing. Botanists divide climbing plants into two broad groups: Bines and Vines. Bines typically twine their stems around an object for support. They have rough stems or downward-pointing bristles to air their grip. Some examples of bines are: Hops, Morning glory, Honeysuckle.

The second group is vines. Vines use tendrils or specialized stems used by climbing plants, suckers, thorns and other methods to support themselves. Some examples of vines include: Climbing rose – thorns, Virginia creeper – adhesive pads, Trumpet creeper – leaves, Passion flowers or passion vines – stems.

What is a trellis?

A trellis s a framework made of either light wood or metal bars used as support for climbing plants or fruit trees. You can make your own trellis or buy one at your local garden center. Some climbing plants require a support system like a trellis, but others don’t, so it’s important to do your research and determine which climbing plants you’d like to grow and if you have the resources to support them.

What type of structures support climbing plants?

Sure, you can use fences, walls, arches and porches. But be careful, climbing plants can get heavy so make sure your support system is durable.

How often should you trim climbing plants?

One of the major reasons gardeners love climbing plants is due to their length and abundance but that doesn’t mean these plants shouldn’t be trimmed. Many plants benefit from a trim and knowing when to do it is important. For instance, climbers can use a good trim during late winter. Clematis should be trimmed late-summer or late-fall. Depending on whether your clematis is an early flowering, early to mid or late flowering species will depend on when you trim. Honeysuckle is typically trimmed every few years.

What are the benefits of climbing plants?

Climbing plants are a beautiful addition to any garden and provide depth and complexity to simple gardening spaces. They also provide shade on those warm summer days. When harvesting these plants indoors, the benefits include: Reduced stress and increased sense of well-being. Improve air quality. Reduce background noise.