Is Wisteria a Hidden Danger to This House? Seeking Advice!

[gardenqestion]

Looking for advice regarding a house we’re considering purchasing. There’s a Wisteria plant, planted roughly in 2010, growing directly against the front wall near the entrance. It’s trained along the walls using a cable system.

We’re concerned about potential issues it might have caused. Could the roots have impacted the foundation or pipes? Could it lead to problems like damp, subsidence, or pest issues? Also, could the plant have caused damage to the brickwork, such as cracks or water ingress?

Is it straightforward to remove Wisteria completely, or does it tend to regrow? Should this be a major concern, or is it unlikely to cause significant issues?

I am uk based if that effects the growth in anyway

Would really appreciate some help!

Thanks

 

[Sean Regan]

Hi and welcome.

In my opinion, you should have little to worry about. Wisteria is like a vine and easy to control, but it's best to make sure it only grows where you want it.
The wood is soft, so easy to prune, down to two to four buds per branch in January, will encourage it to flower.
I f you don't like it, cut it off at the root If it starts to send out more shoots the following year cut them off.

We've several wisterias.

 

[cpp gardener]

It can be a problem if planted right up against the house. if it’s planted a foot or more away, you’re good.
It is quite difficult to get rid of without chemical help.

 

[gardenqestion]

Hi guys,

I have a photo now if it is easier to see if it will be an issue to foundations. This is one of them and there is another near the door

 

[Sean Regan]

You can worry too much about wisteria.

When we bought our house in 1972 there was a wisteria growing up against the garage wall.

It eventually became massive and I built this pergola to support it. This is from around 2015.

Most of it died off a few years later.

Except the one branch with the bungee support that is trained over the pergola on the back of the house.

The two small branches you can see I trained over that end of the pergola.
Another bit had self-rooted near the garage side door and I trained that over the other end. I bought a new white one and planted it in the middle. I've trained the branches to "cascade."

In over fifty years, the roots have had no effect on the foundations of the garage, nor what would be more likely, the crazy York stone path next to the garage wall.

What I would suggest, is that you remove any unwanted new growth as it appears near the bottom of the trunk. New growth can grow several inches in a day.