How to Grow an Ivy Plant

Ivy plant growing.

Ivy is a hardy plant that can grow up and across just about anything, so it is important to plant ivy where you can keep it under control. Ivy can be grown in most hardiness zones and works well as a houseplant since it requires very little sun. Ivy likes partial shade and can even be planted in full shade. You can grow ivy plants several different ways: from clippings to entire plants in the ground or in planters.

Things You'll Need

• Ivy
• Water
• Cup or glass jar
• Potting soil
• 6-inch or larger container
• Small hand-held shovel
• Knife
• Root hormone
• Shady area
• Shovel

Instructions

Growing Ivy Clippings Started in Water

1. 

   Aerial roots

   Take a few ivy clippings from someone who already has an established ivy plant or from your own plant. Cut the clippings about 6 inches long. Make sure you get aerial roots on the clippings along with leaves. Aerial roots are small knots on the stem of the plant. If you cannot find any aerial roots, use clippings with fresh growth.

2. 

   Ivy leaf

   Remove all the leaves that will be submerged in the water. Be sure to leave some leaf growth on the plant at the end of the stem.

3. Place ivy clippings in water and watch for establishing root growth after a few days. Allow the roots to grow about 1/2 inch at least before planting in soil. The roots will be tiny and white. Check water often; if it becomes cloudy or murky replace with fresh water. Refill water to cover the roots if it evaporates.

4. 

   Ivy in plastic container.

   Put potting soil in the plastic container. Keep in mind ivy spreads and can take up a small container in no time. Use at least a 6-inch container or larger. You should be able to place clippings 2 inches apart in the container. If you have more than four or five clippings, use a larger pot.

5. 

   Small hand-held shovel.

   Make a hole with a small hand shovel into the soil, deep enough to cover all the new root growth. Make as many holes as you have clippings.

6. Place each clipping in a hole and cover with soil. Make sure all the roots are covered well and there are none on the top of the soil.

7. Water every other day for a week, then cut back to watering once a week.

Growing Ivy Clippings Started With Rooting Hormone

1. Cut ivy clippings about 6 inches long off an existing ivy plant.

2. Remove the bottom leaves from the ivy clippings at the bottom of the stem.

3. 

   Knife

   Slice the bottom of the ivy clipping's stem up about an inch with the knife.

4. Dip the ivy clipping in the rooting hormone, making sure to get between the sliced part of the stem of the clipping.

5. Place your ivy clipping in soil and cover well. Make sure you cover all the roots and none are on top of the soil.

6. Water well immediately and then every other day, keeping the soil moist for about a week. Then cut watering time back to once a week. Make sure not to over-water or under-water ivy clippings.

Growing Ivy Directly in the Ground

1. 

   Shady area

   Find an area with part to full shade. Ivy does not like direct sunlight. It will burn the leaves.

2. 

   Breaking ground with shovel.

   Break up the soil with the shovel and remove all weeds and grass. If the soil is not moist, add compost or some other form of soil enrichment to give it more moisture.

3. Dig small holes with the hand-held shovel deep enough to cover all the roots if using clippings. Water started clippings or use rooting hormone to start ivy in the ground from clippings.

4. Dig a hole slightly larger and deeper than the ivy plant by about 2 inches if planting an entire plant. Breaking up the soil around the ivy plant will give it space for the new root growth when planting an entire plant.

5. Cover completely with soil all the way around the clipping or plant.

6. Water well every other day for a week; after one week, water once a week.

References

• Bloomin Designs Nursery: Ivy