Grow English Ivy

English ivy is a hardy vine that grows rapidly in warm climates. Although English ivy is actually considered an “invasive species,” it is a popular choice for ground cover, or to grow up a wall, trellis, or other structure. English ivy can be grown in the ground or in containers, indoors or outdoors, and can survive in shade, partial shade, or full sun. Due to the extreme hardiness of English ivy, even gardeners with little experience can learn to grow it with success.

Steps

Choosing a Location for Your English Ivy

1. Determine your hardiness zone. Hardiness zones are categories (based on temperature and location) that determine which plants while grow well in which areas. English ivy is unlikely to thrive outside of hardiness zones 4 to 9. You can determine your hardiness zone by looking in a farmer’s almanac or visiting the USDA website.
2. Locate an area with fertile and well-drained soil. English requires likes fertile and well-drained soil. Be sure that the area where you intend to place the plant can accommodate this, or consider using a container (where you can control the planting medium).
3. Select an area that needs “ground cover.” English ivy is notorious for its ability to spread quickly. As such, you may want to plant your English ivy in a location that would benefit from extensive ground cover.
4. Look for a wall. Alternatively, you may want your English ivy to climb up a wall, tree, trellis, or other structure. If you live in a brick house, you may even want the ivy to grow and spread over your home. Select a location like this, and plan to plant your ivy nearby.
5. Locate a container. English ivy can spread so quickly that in some places it is considered an invasive species. As such, you may want to start your English ivy in a container. Any planting container with a drainage hole will work fine. Fill this container with planting medium.

Starting a New English Ivy Plant

1. Take cuttings from an existing ivy plant. If you know someone who has an English ivy plant (or if you already have one), begin by taking several 4-5 inch clippings. Using a sharp knife (or garden pruners), snip the vines just below a node (the small bump where a leaf grows).
2. Moisten your soil. Using a water bottle, spray down your soil (or planting medium) until it is evenly moistened, but not very wet. Alternatively, (if you will be using a container) you can water it heavily and then set it aside to drain.
3. Poke holes. Now you will want to poke several holes in your soil or planting medium. If you are planting in the ground, you will want to place your plants about 12 inches apart. If you are using a container, you can place your plants closer together (as they all may not survive).
4. Use rooting hormone. Rooting hormone (available in most hardware or garden stores) is a substance that can encourage the growth of roots from plant clippings. Although English ivy can propagate without the use of rooting hormone, using this can help ensure your clippings take root. Simply dip the end of each clipping in liquid rooting hormone immediately before placing them in the ground.
5. Plant your ivy. After your soil (or planting medium) is prepared, you have your clipping, and you have dipped them in rooting hormone, all that is left is to place each clipping into the holes you have created. Fill in soil around each clipping.

Maintaining the Ivy

1. Water the ivy regularly. English ivy needs about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of water every week after the initial planting. This can come from rain or from manual watering. After your ivy is firmly established, you can begin watering less regularly.
2. Fertilize the ivy plant sparingly. You may choose to give your English ivy a small amount of fertilizer in the spring. You should not use more than 2 tbsp. (30 mL) per square foot (.09 square meters) of slow acting nitrogen fertilizer.
3. Prune the ivy. You will want to groom your ivy now and then to maintain a clean and tidy appearance. Simply clip stray branches using garden pruners as necessary to keep the shape and appearance of the ivy that you desire.
4. Cut back well established English ivy beds. Every few years, you will need to do some more extensive trimming of your established ivy beds. This action will encourage new growth and help your English ivy stay healthy.
5. Spray with soapy water. If you notice your plant is less vibrant (drooping leaves or loss of color), take a close look for aphids or spider mites. (Although they are tiny, both types of insects are visible with the naked eye.) You can control (or even prevent) these insects by spraying the plant with mild soapy water.
   • Combine a few squirts of a mild, chemical-free detergent with filtered water in a spray bottle.
   • Gently mist your plant with this soapy water once a day for three days to rid your plant of aphids and spider mites.
   • Then, to keep the insects away, spray you plant once every 1-2 weeks, or after a heavy rain.

Tips

• Experienced gardeners can train their ivy to grow up and around metal frames forming certain shapes and figures.

Warnings

• English ivy is very hardy and can quickly take over an area, especially in warm, damp climates. Care should be taken to control the plant and keep it in the desired area. English ivy can be difficult to remove or kill once it is well established.
• Be cautious about planting ivy too close to other plants, because it may suffocate them.

Things You'll Need

• Fertile soil
• English ivy plant or cutting
• Water
• Fertilizer
• Trimmers
• Mild soap and water
• Rooting hormone
• Trellis, wall, or building for vine climbing

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Sources and Citations

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