Lilac Vine

Lilac Vine requires regular watering during the growing season. Young plants should be watered more frequently to help them become established. During summer keep the plants lightly moist, but make sure not to over-do it. Reduce watering during winter, but never let the root ball dry out completely. Ensure the correct drainage by making sure the water can freely escape the pot or container.

Lilac Vine prefers full sun to partial shade and does not like deep shade. An area out of direct sunlight is more suitable in very hot climates, to prevent discoloration and scorching of leaves. When planted against a wall, protection from extreme heat and cold is provided. Make sure the wall is light coloured to benefit from additional reflected light.

Lilac Vines prefer mild to warm temperatures. 70 - 80°F (21 - 27°C), is the ideal temperature for this plant. Temperatures should never drop below 40°F (5°C). In cold weather, the leaves may turn bronze or purple, and resume their deep green colour in the spring.

Lilac Vines do not require high humidity to thrive, but they do benefit from moderate humidity. Place a tray of wet pebbles below the plant, and mist with soft water during summer, especially if the ambient air is dry and cool. Keep the foliage dry, as water droplets can cause sunburn.

Lilac Vines prefer well-drained, fertile soil. Use a palletised soil mix with added perlite or pumice to enhance drainage. For containers, use a standard potting mix with slow release fertiliser added to promote strong growth. Keep soil lightly moist throughout the season.

Feed with an organic fertilizer throughout the growing season to ensure all-round good health. During spring and summer, apply a balanced liquid or granular fertilizer every two weeks. Organic slow-release fertilizers are an excellent choice but avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen which can reduce flower production.

Aphids, spider mites, mealybugs and scale insects can be a problem and should be dealt with quickly with insecticidal spray. Examine the vines closely to look for pests and be sure to treat both sides of the leaves as well as the as the stem. Also repot the plant in a clean pot with a suitable potting soil and sterilize both the pot and soil to eliminate any hiding pests.

When plants become pot bound it is time to repot them. Generally, repot Lilac Vines once a year, in spring, when they require more space and fresh soil. Avoid shock by only repotting into a slightly larger size, no more than one or two inches bigger than its present container – soil with nutrients that promote vigorous growth.

Once established, Lilac Vines should be pruned and trained to achieve the desired shape and size. Secure long branches with plant ties or flexible tendrils to the trellis. Begin pruning just after flowering to ensure it does not become too large or rampant. Shorten side shoots to encourage more lateral growth and the formation of side buds. Remove dead wood and twiggy growth to improve air circulation.

Mulching helps maintain an even soil moisture throughout and reduces the risk of fungal diseases in wetter seasons. Apply a layer of rotted organic matter, such as homemade compost, shredded bark, or pine needles in a two inch layer and replace annually.

Lilac Vines can be propagated from non-woody and woody stem cuttings taken in summer or spring. Non-woody stem cuttings can be taken from short sections of the top growth about 6-8 inches long. Woodier cuttings should be 4 to 6 inches long and taken at the end of a mature vine. Place the cuttings in moist potting mix or sharp sand and keep slightly moist. Roots should develop in 4 - 6 weeks.

It can be clipped up fences, walls and trellises or grown over shrubs and garden benches providing plenty of shade wherever necessary. Remember that younger shoots need a little extra support until they reach about three or four feet long.

The Lilac Vine does not have an absolute rest period and will not die off in winter. Pruning in the fall may be beneficial in promoting more vigorous flowering in the spring, but is not necessary.

Lilac Vine is not toxic to pets or humans.