How to Plant Ivy With Geraniums

Geraniums go well with ivy.

Dark green or variegated ivy planted with brightly colored geraniums makes a striking arrangement in a window box, planter or hanging basket. The trailing ivy complements the more upright presentation of the geraniums and the ivy's foliage provides an attractive background for the geranium blossoms. Both ivy and geraniums prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial sunlight.

Things You'll Need

• Pot or window box
• One to two geranium plants
• One to four ivy plants
• Potting soil
• Trowel
• Watering can or hose with sprinkler head
• General-purpose plant food

Instructions

1. Choose a container that will hold 3 to 7 gallons of potting soil. This will allow plenty of room for both plants to grow. A pot this size won't dry out as quickly as a smaller container.

2. Fill the container three-quarters full of potting soil, keeping the soil loose.

3. Plant the geraniums. Make a hole with your hand or a trowel approximately the same size and shape of the transplant pot currently holding the geranium. Press on the bottom of the transplant pot and tilt out the geranium and place it in the hole. Gently pat the soil around it. Use one geranium for a round or square planter or hanging basket and two geraniums evenly spaced in a window box.

4. Plant the ivy. Use two to four ivy plants, evenly spaced around the geranium. Make planting holes for the ivy and remove them from the transplant packs. Settle them in the new holes and pat the soil to settle it around the plant. Add more soil to fill the planter to the top.

5. Water the plants to settle the soil around the roots. Use a watering can or a hose with a sprinkler head to avoid disturbing the soil. Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. During hot, dry weather you may need to water daily.

6. Feed every other week with a water-soluble, general purpose plant food designed for house plants. Feed according to the directions on the plant food package.

7. Remove spent geranium blossoms to encourage regular blooms. Trim away any broken or dead foliage.

Tips & Warnings

• Pinch back the geranium plant if it starts to grow too tall. This will encourage thicker side growth.

• While geraniums can tolerate full sun, ivy leaves may turn brown around the edges if exposed to intense sunlight and heat. For best results, keep the plants in partial shade or limit sun exposure to early morning and late afternoon.

References

• University of Florida Extension: English Ivies to Know and Grow
• University of Rhode Island: Growing Geraniums

Resources

• North Carolina State University Extension: Geranium Culture for the Home Gardener