How to Make Ivies Grow
Ivy ranges from tiny to 6-foot leaves, and comes in all kinds colors, such as green, gold and off-white. Not only is ivy commonly found growing up trellises and walls as well as covering grounds, but it is also a common home and office plant because of its low maintenance. In order to grow ivy, you really only need water, yearly fertilizing and half-yearly to yearly pruning and training. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Ivy plant
- Medium-sized pot
- Sterile potting soil
- Peat moss
- Sharp sand
- Granular garden fertilizer
- Watering can
- Wire hanger
- Wire cutter
- hand shovel
- Ivy stalk with root
- Mulch
Instructions
-
-
1
Mix potting soil, peat moss and sharp sand together. Place the mixture half way up in a medium-size pot. Place the ivy plant into the soil. Add the rest of the soil mixture to the pot and gently pat with your hands.
-
2
Arrange the pot in direct sunlight or a bright spot in the house. Water the plant slowly and evenly, with a watering can, until fully wet. Wait to water it again until almost dry. Depending on how large the pot is, this could take up to one week or longer.
-
-
3
Sprinkle fertilizer in the pot every other month. When the plant is watered, nutrients are released to help the ivy's growth.
-
4
Grow ivy up a house, fence, wall or trellis by manipulating the plant. Cut the hook off a wire hanger using a wire cutter. Bend the hanger with your hands in a circular shape. Face the two ends downward.
-
5
Insert the hanger into the center of a pot with soil. Roll the ivy stems around the hanger, grooming the plant so that it will eventually grow upward. Continue winding the ivy around the hanger as the plant grows, and on the surface you want covered.
-
6
Add ivy to your yard as a ground cover. Pull out some ivy from another yard, for example, making sure to get the roots. Dig holes in your well-watered soil 1 foot apart and 4 inches deep. Place the ivy roots into the ground and cover with soil. The plants will quickly take root and begin to grow.
-
7
Water the ivy ground cover every four days. Sprinkle fertilizer from a bag around the area after one month of growth. Hold moisture in the ground by adding 3 inches of mulch on top of the fertilizer.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
To make healthier potted ivy plants, pinch off the bottom of stems before planting.
Plant creeping ivy immediately after the last frost in spring.
Outdoor ivy grows in both sun and shade.
Pruning two to three times a year will promote fuller growth.
Indoor ivy will likely die if not given four or more hours of daily, direct sunlight.
Ivy plants need proper drainage.
When ivy wilts, it is nearly impossible to save.
Ivy can work its way into cracks in a wall and eventually cause damage. Use care when planting ivy because it can become invasive around houses, trees and other objects.
References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
