How to Root Ivy Plants

The ivy, a versatile houseplant, comes in varieties with leaves as large as a saucer to those with leaves smaller than a dime. Ivy leaves may be shiny or variegated with a splash of cream, white, silver, gray-green, chartreuse, yellow or gold. Due to their vining nature, ivies make wonderful hanging plants. They also grow well in topiaries or planted at the base of other plants. Ivies are usually propagated by stem cutting.

Things You'll Need

• Perlite
• Sphagnum peat moss
• 3- or 4-inch flowerpot
• Ivy plant
• Knife
• Small clean container
• Rooting hormone
• Skewer
• Plastic bag
• Twist tie

Instructions

1. Mix perlite and peat moss half and half. Fill the flowerpot with this moistened potting soil mixture.

2. Cut a 2-to 4-inch piece of new growth ivy stem from a healthy ivy plant. Make sure you cut 1/4 of an inch below a leaf node and that you select a section of a stem with two to three leaves on it.

3. Remove the bottom leaf that would otherwise go below the soil surface. Place a small amount of rooting hormone in a clean container and dip the cut stem into the powdered hormone.

4. Poke a hole in the potting soil using a skewer or small stick and then insert the treated cutting. Place the potted ivy cutting inside a plastic bag and secure it with a twist tie. This creates a humid environment to encourage rooting. Place the covered ivy in a warm area in indirect light.

5. Check the soil every few days and water if it becomes dry. Test for rooting after about two weeks by gently pulling on the ivy stem. If you feel resistance, it means roots have formed. If not, place the cutting back inside the bag and continue to monitor the ivy.

6. Remove the ivy from the bag once roots have formed and place in a spot with bright, indirect light. A location near a north, east or west window could work well.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to root English ivy, make sure you take a cutting from a young plant. Old mature specimens of English ivy develop thick stems that are difficult to root, the University of Florida explains.

References

• Ohio State University: Plant Propagation
• University of Florida: English Ivy Production Guide
• University of North Carolina: Plant Propagation by Stem Cuttings

Resources

• Clemson University Extension: Ivy