Common ivy is a sturdy climbing plant that grows rapidly in warm climates. Although considered a weed species, it is widely used to cover soils, walls, trellises or other structures. You can grow it in the garden or in pots, both outdoors and indoors, and it adapts to conditions in full sun, shade and partial shade. Thanks to its extreme resistance, even inexperienced gardeners can learn how to grow it successfully.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Area to Grow Ivy
Step 1. Define the climatic zone in which you live
The territory is divided into categories, based on temperatures and other geo-climatic factors to understand which plants grow less in each area. Common ivy is unlikely to thrive in areas where the temperature drops to -35 ° C. In Italy these temperatures are almost impossible, if not in the highest mountains during the winter; consequently, you shouldn't have difficulty growing this plant nationwide.
Step 2. Find an area of the garden where the soil is fertile and well-draining
Ivy needs nutrients and water must not stagnate in the earth. Check that the place you want to place it meets these requirements; alternatively, consider using a large pot to gain control of the soil type.
Step 3. Choose the surface that will be covered with ivy
This plant is famous for its ability to spread quickly; for this reason, you must grow it in an area that can benefit from this feature.
Step 4. Look for a wall
Alternatively, you can have ivy climb a wall, tree, trellis, or other structure. If you live in a brick house, you can also let it spread over the building; choose a suitable spot and plant the plant nearby.
Step 5. Find a container
The ivy grows very quickly and in some places it is considered a pest; for this reason, you should consider growing it in a large pot. Any large container with drainage holes should be fine; fill it with potting soil.
Part 2 of 3: Propagating a New Ivy Plant
Step 1. Take cuttings from an already established plant
If you know someone who owns it (or you have another plant yourself), start by getting several 10-12cm cuttings. Use a sharp knife (or garden shears) to cut the creeper just below a knot (the small bump from which the leaves grow).
Step 2. Moisten the soil
Use a bottle to spray the soil with water until it becomes evenly moist, but not soggy. Alternatively, if you are using a pot, you can water thoroughly and then wait for the water to drain.
Step 3. Drill holes
At this point, you need to make several holes in the surface of the soil or potting compost. If you are growing ivy in the garden, you need to space the cuttings about 30 cm apart; if you have opted for the container, you can also bury them closer together, although not all of them will survive.
Step 4. Use a rooting hormone
This substance is available in every garden center and encourages root development from a cutting. Although common ivy can be propagated even without the help of the hormone, doing so increases the chances of the plant taking root. Just dip the base of each cutting into the liquid just before burying it.
Step 5. Plant the ivy
After having prepared the soil (or the potting soil) and after having dipped the cuttings in the rooting hormone, all you have to do is put each seedling in the holes you made previously; add soil around each cutting to hold it in place.
Part 3 of 3: Caring for the Ivy
Step 1. Water it regularly
Common ivy needs about 2-3cm of water every week after planting. It can be wet from rain or you can do a manual irrigation yourself; when the ivy is well established, you can reduce how often you bathe it.
Step 2. Fertilize her infrequently
You can consider giving her small amounts of fertilizer during the spring. You shouldn't use more than 30ml of slow-release nitrogen product for every 0.1m2 of land.
Step 3. Prune the plant
You have to cut it from time to time to keep it neat and tidy. It is enough to remove the unruly branches using garden shears, to give the ivy a beautiful shape, according to your wishes.
Step 4. Prune the well-established ivy plant abundantly
Every few years it is necessary to cut it a lot when it has formed a well rooted carpet; in this way, you encourage the growth of new shoots and allow the ivy to remain healthy.
Step 5. Spray it with soapy water
If you notice that it is less "lively" than usual (falling leaves or dull colors), observe it closely for aphids or red spider mites; although they are very small, both of these insects are visible to the naked eye. You can control (and even prevent) these infestations by spraying the plant with soap and water.
- Mix a small dose of chemical-free mild soap with filtered water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
- Gently spray the ivy once a day for three days to rid it of aphids and spider mites.
- Then, to avoid re-infestation, spray the whole plant once every 1-2 weeks or after any torrential rain.
Advice
Experienced gardeners manage to grow ivy in such a way that it climbs around metal structures to form certain shapes and figures
Warnings
- Ivy is a very robust plant and can quickly take over and cover a large area, especially in regions with hot and humid climates. You should monitor its development so that it remains confined to the space you have defined, as it is difficult to uproot or kill the ivy once it has established.
- Be careful not to grow it too close to other plants, as it could choke them.
