Dividing Up English Ivy Plants
English ivy is grown as a houseplant or, in temperate climates, as a garden perennial. However, in some cases English ivy is seen as an aggressive or even invasive plant. Outdoors, ivy can quickly overtake your garden space if it is not thinned and pruned regularly. You should divide houseplants anytime they show signs of outgrowing their containers, such as when they become root-bound and are no longer able to absorb water. Divide garden ivy in midwinter, when the plant begins to go dormant. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Prepare garden or potted ivy for division by watering thoroughly one or two days before you plan to divide the plant.
-
2
Prune back the stems to approximately 6 inches long.
-
-
3
Insert a spading fork into garden ivy. Cut into all four sides of the plant, then insert the spade under the loosened clump and pry it up. For potted English ivy, gently tap the sides and bottom of the container to loosen the soil from the sides. Turn the pot upside down and support the foliage as you gently pull the plant from its container.
-
4
Shake off as much loose soil as you can to expose the roots.
-
5
Cut the root-ball in half, or smaller if needed. Immediately replant the divided ivy in the ground or in new containers.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
When possible, work with one plant or one clump at a time to limit the amount of time the plant's roots are exposed to air. If you must dig up several plants at once before replanting, do not shake the soil from their roots until you are prepared to replant them. Cover exposed root-balls with a layer of burlap until they can be replanted.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
