How to Clone Ivy for Cheap Ground Cover

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By Limowreck
eHow Community Member

Article Rating:

(9 Ratings)

If you’re looking for lush, green ground cover it’s hard to go wrong with English Ivy. It’s hardy. It grows fast. It requires very little upkeep. However, if you’re looking to cover any substantial area, purchasing enough plants to do the job could cost you big. The perfect solution? Cloning! Cloning ivy is super easy. It’s fast. Best of all, if you have a sample, it’s free!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Ivy Plant
Scissors
Soil
Small Containers
Water

Step 1

Gather Sample(s) ~ You will get your sample(s) from an established (rooted) ivy. You should clip your sample with scissors. An ideal sample will be at least 8" inches long and have 4 healthy leaves attached to the vine. You may cut multiple samples from a single vine, but leave at least a sample worth of original plant to ensure regrowth.
Step 2

Soak Sample(s) ~ Soak each sample in a small container of water. Leaves should face skyward. Make sure at least 2" inches of vine are submerged. Store in partial sunlight (a window sill is ideal). Monitor water levels and add water as needed to ensure vine remains submerged.
Step 3

Check Sample(s) ~ After one week, check for root buds by gently removing plant from water. A root bud will initially appear as one or several small bumps on the submerged end of the sample. Place submerged end back in water. If water is becoming murky, you may empty water and refill fresh room-temperature water. Within 2 weeks, these buds will grow to into real roots.
Step 4

Plant ~ When roots of your sample(s) are 2" inches or longer it is time to transplant into a small container. This container should be at least 3" inches deep and wide, allow for drainage, and also have a broad top so you can remove the plant and soil easily. Cover bottom of container with 1" inch of potting soil, add plant (root-end down) on top, gently fill around the roots with potting soil. Pack soil loosely. Water plant and return to window sill. Check regularly and add water to keep soil slightly moist.
Step 5

Transplant ~ When new growth appears at the top end of the sample, it is time to plant outdoors. This generally occurs within 2 weeks of planting. Prepare your desired location by loosening ground soil 6" inches wide in all directions and 6" inches deep. Plant (with root and soil clump) should be planted only deep enough so the original soil is level with surrounding ground. Water.