How Long Does it Take to Establish English Ivy Roots?

English Ivy is a hardy, fast-growing vine.

English ivy is a hardy, fast-growing member of the ginseng plant family. If it's not carefully trimmed and controlled, ivy can become invasive. Its roots can even break apart masonry.

Appearance

English ivy has waxy, dark green leaves with three to five points. Mature plants produce umbrella-shaped clusters of pale green flowers and purple berries.

Rooting

English ivy will grow from cuttings in a vase of water, producing tiny roots in two to three weeks. The vines develop nodes that produce new roots when resting on the ground. This extends the host vine's root system, speeding the spread of the ivy.

Planting

Plant English ivy cuttings in moist soil and water regularly during the first few weeks until the roots take hold. Try gently tugging at the plant after about two weeks in the ground. If it resists, the roots have taken hold. The cutting should be well established and putting on new leaves and vines in a month.

Warning

English ivy's spreading characteristics make it an excellent groundcover, but it also can escape into neighboring woodlands, choke out native plants, and overwhelm and kill trees. As a general rule, ivies with smaller and more deeply cut leaves are less invasive.

References

• Integrated Pest Management: English Ivy
• Paghat: English Ivy
• Monrovia: English Ivy