How to Transplant Ivy Plants

Transplant ivy to a new pot every two or three years.

Potted ivies are prized in the home as they thrive in the low-light conditions in most homes. They add lush, cascading greenery to hanging planters or can be trained to grow around small potted topiaries. Newly purchased ivy plants may need transplanting into a larger or more attractive container, and older plants eventually overgrow their pots and require transplanting. If the ivy is lifting itself out of the pot or if the roots are so compacted you cannot push a pencil more than ½ inch into a drainage hole on the pot, it is time to transplant the ivy to a larger pot.

Things You'll Need

• Pot
• Potting soil
• Fertilizer

Instructions

1. Fill a pot that is 2 to 4 inches larger in diameter than the ivy's current pot with 2 inches of moist potting soil. Use containers that have at least one drainage hole in the bottom as ivy cannot tolerate soggy soil.

2. Grasp the ivy plants lightly around the stem near the soil surface with one hand and pull the old pot from the root ball with the other hand. Break up some of the soil on the bottom of the root ball with your fingers to loosen the roots.

3. Place the ivy in the new pot. Add more soil beneath the ivy to elevate the top of the root ball to a a level ½ to 1 inch from the rim of the pot. Fill in around the root ball with soil, thumping the sides of the pot as you fill to help the soil settle.

4. Water the ivy thoroughly after repotting so that any air pockets around the roots collapse. Water until the excess begins draining from the bottom of the pot, then empty the pot's drainage tray.

5. Fertilize the ivy once it begins putting on new growth. Use a liquid houseplant fertilizer at the rate recommended on the fertilizer label.

Tips & Warnings

• Transplant evergreen ivies at any time. Transplant deciduous ivies in late winter right before the plants begin putting on new growth.

• Avoid bending or breaking the roots on the ivy plants, as this can kill or weaken the plants.

References

• Washington State Extension: Basic Houseplant Culture