Wisteria care follows a natural rhythm throughout the Australian year. Understanding what your plant needs in each season—and equally importantly, what it doesn't need—is the foundation of successful cultivation. This comprehensive guide provides a month-by-month breakdown of essential tasks to keep your wisteria healthy, well-shaped, and flowering abundantly.
While the specific timing may vary slightly depending on your location, this calendar is designed for most Australian climate zones. Gardeners in tropical or far northern areas should adjust timing accordingly.
The two most critical periods for wisteria care are summer pruning (January-February) and winter pruning (July-August). Everything else supports these key events.
Spring (September - November)
September: Pre-Bloom Preparation
As temperatures rise and buds begin to swell, spring activity commences:
- Inspect for winter damage: Check for any frost-damaged tips or broken branches and remove them
- Check supports: Ensure all ties are secure but not too tight—loosen any that are cutting into stems
- Resume watering: Begin regular watering if autumn and winter were dry
- Apply mulch: Top up organic mulch to 5-10cm depth, keeping it away from the trunk
October: Flowering Season
This is the month when most wisterias put on their spectacular display:
- Enjoy the show: Take time to appreciate your wisteria's flowering—photograph it for comparison in future years
- No major pruning: Resist the urge to prune during flowering
- Water consistently: Regular moisture supports flowering and the emerging foliage
- Watch for pests: Aphids may appear on new growth—a strong water spray usually controls them
Document your wisteria's bloom each year with photos taken from the same angle. This creates a valuable record for tracking plant health and flowering improvement over time.
November: Post-Bloom Growth
After flowering, wisteria enters its most vigorous growth phase:
- Remove spent flowers: Deadheading prevents seed pod formation and tidies the plant
- Apply fertiliser: A light application of complete fertiliser supports healthy growth (avoid high nitrogen)
- Train new growth: Begin directing any shoots you want to incorporate into the framework
- Remove unwanted shoots: Sucker growth from the base and shoots in wrong directions can be removed now
Summer (December - February)
December: Managing Vigorous Growth
Summer brings rapid, often unruly growth that needs monitoring:
- Water deeply: Established plants need deep watering during dry spells, especially in hot inland areas
- Monitor growth: Keep an eye on extending shoots—they can grow several metres in a month
- Remove wayward shoots: Any growth threatening to enter gutters, wrap around downpipes, or invade unwanted areas should be removed promptly
- Check for scale: Summer is when scale insects are most visible—treat if found
January: Summer Pruning (Critical)
This is one of the two most important months in your wisteria care calendar:
- Complete summer pruning: Cut all long whippy shoots back to 5-6 leaves from the main framework (see our detailed pruning guide)
- Continue watering: Don't let newly pruned plants dry out completely
- Clean up debris: Remove all pruned material from around the plant
- Check ties: Ensure training ties aren't cutting into thickening stems
Summer pruning is essential for flower bud development. Without it, the plant puts all its energy into leaf production rather than forming the buds that will bloom next spring.
February: Secondary Tidying
After summer pruning, some regrowth is normal:
- Light follow-up: Remove any very vigorous regrowth that appeared after January pruning
- Maintain watering: Continue deep watering during hot, dry periods
- Remove seed pods: If any pods are forming, remove them—especially important if you have pets
- Inspect support structure: Check for any movement or weakness in pergolas and arbours
Autumn (March - May)
March: Transition Period
As temperatures begin to moderate:
- Reduce watering: As weather cools, gradually reduce watering frequency
- Remove remaining pods: Final check for any seed pods that were missed
- Enjoy autumn colour: Wisteria foliage often turns golden before dropping
- Plan winter tasks: Consider any structural repairs or modifications needed
April: Pre-Dormancy
The plant begins to slow down:
- Stop fertilising: No feeding after this point—the plant is preparing for dormancy
- Minimal watering: Only water if conditions are exceptionally dry
- Clear fallen leaves: Rake up dropped foliage, especially if it shows signs of disease
- Assess the plant: Note any areas that need attention during winter pruning
May: Early Dormancy
Leaves fall and the plant enters dormancy:
- Good planting time: May through July is ideal for planting new wisterias
- Structural work: With leaves gone, this is the best time for repairs to supports
- Transplanting: If you must move a wisteria, dormancy is the only safe time
- Plan purchases: Research and order any new plants for winter planting
Winter (June - August)
June: Deep Dormancy
The quietest time in the wisteria calendar:
- Continue planting: Excellent time to plant new wisterias
- Study the structure: With no foliage, examine the framework and plan winter pruning
- Minimal care needed: Established wisterias need no watering or feeding during dormancy
- Clear debris: Remove any accumulated leaves or rubbish from the base
July: Winter Pruning (Critical)
The second most important month in the wisteria year:
- Complete winter pruning: Cut summer-pruned shoots back to 2-3 buds, keeping the plump flower buds
- Remove dead wood: Any dead, damaged, or crossing branches should be cut out
- Thin overcrowded areas: Improve air circulation and light penetration
- Final planting window: Last opportunity to plant before spring growth begins
In winter, flower buds are clearly visible as plump, rounded buds. Leaf buds are smaller and more pointed. Always preserve the rounded flower buds when pruning.
August: Late Winter Preparation
As winter ends and buds begin to swell:
- Complete any remaining pruning: Finish winter pruning early in the month
- Inspect flower buds: Count and admire the developing flower buds—they'll open in about two months
- Top up mulch: Apply fresh organic mulch before spring growth
- Check ties and supports: Final check before the weight of flowers and foliage returns
Year-Round Considerations
Watering Guidelines
- Newly planted: Water deeply twice weekly during establishment (first 1-2 years)
- Established plants: Generally drought-tolerant, but benefit from deep watering during extended dry periods in summer
- Container plants: Require regular watering year-round; never let them dry out completely
Feeding Guidelines
- Spring: One light application of complete fertiliser after flowering
- Avoid: High-nitrogen fertilisers, which promote leaves at the expense of flowers
- For poor flowering: Use a fertiliser high in potassium (potash) to encourage blooms
Pest and Disease Watch
- Aphids: Common in spring on new growth—usually controlled with water spray
- Scale: Look for crusty bumps on older wood in summer—treat with horticultural oil
- Leaf spot: Remove affected leaves; usually more cosmetic than harmful
- Powdery mildew: Can occur in humid conditions—improve air circulation
Success with wisteria comes down to two essential pruning sessions (summer and winter), consistent watering during establishment, and minimal fertilising. The rest is patience and enjoying the spectacular results each spring.