5 Easy Climbing Plants for Pots That Will Transform Small Gardens With Spring Color and Life

Climbers are one of the easiest ways to maximize space in a small garden, balcony or terrace, adding height, softness and a lush, green backdrop without taking up precious ground. In fact, some of the best climbers to grow in pots can be even easier to manage in containers, helping to keep vigorous growth in check while making the most of vertical space.

I grow plenty of climbers in pots on my own patio – from sweet peas scrambling up simple supports to more ambitious, woody vines in large containers. In my experience, climbing plants can completely transform even the smallest outdoor space, turning bare walls and fences into something far more inviting.

Here, I share five of the easiest climbers to grow in pots, including evergreen and fragrant options. Whether you want to cover a pergola with blooms or disguise an ugly wall, these are some of the most reliable choices to try.

1. Star Jasmine

Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is one of the best evergreen climbers for pots, offering year-round structure along with a flush of starry white flowers and a rich, sweet fragrance in summer. It’s a brilliant choice for creating a dense, leafy backdrop in even the smallest spaces.

I’ve grown star jasmine in pots on my own patio for years, and it’s proved surprisingly adaptable, coping well in both sunny and lightly shaded spots. (I often say it's the only evergreen you need to make a patio smell incredible!)

Best suited to warmer climates (US hardiness zone 8 and above), it’s a vigorous grower that quickly covers trellises, walls or obelisks when given support.

Star jasmine live plants are available from Amazon.

Because of that fast growth, regular pruning of star jasmine is key. As plant expert Mike Murphy of You Had Me At Gardening explains, this vine can put on several feet in a single season, so trimming little and often will help keep it neat and compact. Simply snip back stems above a bud or side shoot to encourage bushier growth and prevent it from becoming unruly.

If you’re after an easy, fragrant climber that looks good all year, star jasmine is hard to beat.

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2. Clematis

There are hundreds of clematis varieties that are ideal for pot growing. From the popular pink-flowering Clematis montana to the large and attention-seeking 'Nelly Moser', most options can be grown successfully in containers.

However, one of the best clematis species for year-round color is the evergreen Clematis armandii. In terms of how to grow evergreen clematis in containers, the rules are much the same as they are for all clematis in pots, with part-sun-part-shade and good drainage vital for plant success.

'Clematis armandii performs best in sun but can handle shade too,' says Alex Kantor, owner of Perfect Plants Nursery. 'In cooler areas, including US hardiness zone 6, be sure to give them as much sunshine as possible, whereas in warmer regions, such as US hardiness zone 9, some afternoon shade is a good idea.

'Annual pruning is important for this vine,' Alex adds, 'as without cutting, they can reach up to 20 feet in length.'

For a crimson red clematis, try the 'Rouge Cardinal' variety, available to order online from Amazon, which would look spectacular growing in a container and trained along an obelisk or trellis.

Mike Murphey

Mike is the owner of You Had Me At Gardening. He grew up gardening with his parents and grandparents. He enjoys his backyard orchard of dwarf fruit trees, raspberry and blackberry patches, and raised garden boxes. In addition to his perennials, Mike enjoys sprouting new fruit and vegetable seeds every spring.

Alex Kantor

Alex has worked in the horticultural industry for over 20 years and grew up on the farm since his childhood years. Alex is an expert on landscape trees, shrubs, and indoor plants. He is passionate about growing and helping others learn the trade.

3. Trumpet vine

'The trumpet vine, or Campsis radicans, is one of the best climbing plants that thrive on neglect, and is well-suited to container culture,' says plant expert from Wisconsin, Katie Sunderlage.

'Native to North America, many gardeners consider this vigorous vine to be an invasive climber, largely because it can produce 40 feet of growth in a single year.

'However, in a container, its spread can be limited,' Katie advises. 'In terms of how to grow trumpet vine, it does best in US hardiness zone 4 to zone 10, with a preference for at least four or so hours of sunshine each day.

'And the best part? The trumpet blooms will attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard all summer long. Just be sure to keep it trained to a trellis or wire framework, pruning as and when necessary.'

Live starter trumpet vine plants are available from Walmart.

4. Chocolate Vine

For a fast-growing climber that will quickly cover a screen or trellis, chocolate vine, or Akebia quinata, is a striking and unusual choice for pots. Its rapid growth makes it especially useful if you want to create privacy or soften a bare wall in a short space of time.

That said, it’s important to plant with caution. This vigorous climber is considered invasive in parts of the eastern US, including Florida.

Growing it in a container is a smart way to keep it in check, but it will still need regular pruning and monitoring to prevent it from escaping into surrounding areas. If you prefer a lower-maintenance option, a less assertive climber may be a better fit.

In spring, Akebia quinata produces clusters of pendulous, deep purple flowers with a subtle vanilla-chocolate fragrance, which gives the plant its common name. It’s also notably adaptable, tolerating both full sun and partial shade, and hardy down to US zone 5, making it a resilient choice for a range of garden settings.

Provide a sturdy support and be prepared to cut it back after flowering to keep growth manageable and encourage a fuller shape.

Live chocolate vine starter plants are available from Amazon.

5. Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea is one of the most vibrant climbers you can grow in pots, bringing a riot of color to summer patios and balconies. Loved for its long-lasting blooms and tolerance of hot, dry conditions, it’s perfect for south-facing spaces where sunshine is abundant.

This tender vine thrives in warmer climates, including US zones 8–10, and needs well-draining soil to avoid root rot. Growing bougainvillea in pots also makes it accessible for gardeners in cooler regions, as pots can be moved indoors or protected during winter frosts.

To encourage bushy, compact growth, prune after flowering in late summer, but take care as the stems are thorny. Regular trimming also promotes more flowers the following season and keeps the vine manageable in a pot.

For a sunny yellow option, try the ‘California Gold’ bougainvillea, with live plants available from Amazon.

Katie Sunderlage

Operations Manager at Holland Group, managing the customer service department and purchasing. Katie has been in the green industry since 2005 in the Greater Milwaukee area, earning her degree in Horticulture in 2008. She has been able to share her love for plants working in multiple garden centers, in sales positions and most recently in an online retail platform at Holland Group.

As with any plants growing in pots, remember to regularly water and feed during spring and summer, as containers can quickly dry out when the temperature is high.

For flowering climbers, consider applying a bloom booster feed in spring, to encourage your plants to produce as many flowers as possible. Try this organic Espoma bloom fertilizer, available from Amazon.

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