How to Propagate English Ivy

English ivy is a popular plant for indoors and outdoors. English ivy was a popular houseplant in the Victorian days. It's easy to care for and easy to propagate. The trailing vines of English ivy are beautiful in a hanging basket or cascading from a pot. Cuttings from the English ivy are propagated by placing them either in water or in soil.

Instructions

Propagate in Soil

1. Snip off one of the vines of the English ivy at an angle just below one of the node. The cutting should be at least four inches long.

2. Clip off the lower leaves of the stem. This will keep them from rotting in the soil.

3. Dip the stem of the English ivy into a rooting hormone. Rooting hormones help with the growth and discourage rotting.

4. Place some potting soil into a clean, sterile flower pot and stick the stem into the soil making sure not to scrape off the rooting hormone. Pack the soil around the base of the stem.

5. Water the soil very well and continue to water regularly.

Propagate in Water

1. Cut one or several strands from your ivy.

2. Strip all the leaves so that no leaves will be under the water.

3. Place the stems in about three inches of water and sit them in a sunny window. Keep the water level up as it will evaporate.

4. Plant in a clean, sterile pot with potting soil after a good root base has formed.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid red spider mites by spritzing the leaves with water regularly and keep the soil moist.

• Don't get discouraged; English ivy can be slow to take root.