Whether as a privacy hedge, for greening walls and house frames or as a ground cover - ivy can be used to beautify bare spots in the garden. The robust climbing plant is very fast-growing and can live for many years. A little guide on how to plant ivy correctly.
How do I plant ivy correctly?
To plant ivy correctly, choose a shady or semi-shady location, use simple garden soil with a little compost and plant in spring or autumn. Maintain a planting distance of at least 25 cm and avoid waterlogging.
Can ivy also be kept as a houseplant?
Ivy can be planted not only in the garden, but also in pots. You can even plant it in flower boxes. You can even cultivate ivy as a bonsai.
Which location is suitable for ivy?
- shady
- partly shaded
- no direct midday sun
- in the bucket like north balconies
Ivy likes it in the shade, but can also cope with partially shaded areas. Strong midday sun should be avoided. Variegated varieties only develop their colors if they get some sun every day.
As a houseplant, it can be placed in the flower window all year round. However, the plant should be protected from direct sunlight, especially at midday.
Which substrate does ivy prefer?
Ivy doesn't have any great demands on the soil. Simple garden soil, which you can enrich with a little compost before planting, is sufficient.
The substrate should be able to retain moisture well. Waterlogging must be avoided at all costs.
When is the best time to plant?
Ivy is best planted in spring or autumn. Basically, you can plant the climbing plant at any time as long as it doesn't freeze. In summer you need to make sure that the soil does not dry out and water often.
What planting distance should be maintained?
When planting as a ground cover or privacy screen, maintain a planting distance of approximately 25 centimeters.
Keep a sufficient distance from walls, fences and neighboring properties so that the plant does not become a nuisance. Masonry can be damaged by the roots. Old ivy plants can cause trees to die.
How to plant ivy?
If you bought ivy in a pot, dig a planting hole of the appropriate size. If you have grown your own plants, place them in the soil so that the roots are well covered.
Keep the soil moist, but avoid waterlogging.
Light winter protection makes sense in the first winter. Add a layer of mulch or cover the ivy with pine branches.
Can ivy be transplanted?
Replanting ivy doesn't make sense. If you want to add greenery to other places in the garden, it is better to take offshoots. In its old form, ivy forms a very pronounced root system that cannot be dug out without causing damage.
How is ivy propagated?
Propagation takes place via cuttings, which you should cut in spring if possible. If you cut shoots from young plants for propagation, you will get offshoots that will also grow. If you use shoots of the old form, the resulting plants will become upright growing bushes.
The cuttings are either placed in prepared pots or placed in a glass of water until they form new roots.
Another way to propagate ivy is by planting plants. Shoots are bent to the ground and covered with soil.
When is ivy blooming?
Ivy blooms in autumn. That's why ivy is a very valuable plant for the ecological garden. It is an important source of food for bees, wasps and other insects during flowering.
The fruits are ripe at the beginning of the following year.
What does age form mean for ivy?
During the first ten years, ivy is a pure climbing plant that forms long tendrils. No flowers or fruits form during this time. The ivy acquires its old age form after the tenth year. Then the leaves change and the plant grows upright.
Does ivy get along with other plants?
Ivy gets along with plants that also prefer a slightly moist and shady location. However, there is a risk that neighboring plants will become overgrown. This also applies to trees on which ivy grows.
Is ivy poisonous?
Ivy is poisonous in all parts of the plant. Leaves and stems contain substances that can cause inflammation when they come into contact with the skin.
Fruits and flowers are particularly poisonous, but they only occur in the older form. If children or pets such as cats and dogs consume the fruit, there is a serious risk of poisoning.
In homeopathy, ivy is used for bronchitis and other respiratory diseases. Only the leaves are used for this. Extracts are also processed into shampoos and other personal care products.
How hardy is ivy?
The common ivy (Hedera helix) is absolutely hardy. Species with colorful foliage tolerate frost temperatures more poorly. It is therefore better to grow these varieties in a pot on the balcony or as a houseplant.
Tip
In the first two years, ivy growth is still limited. However, in the following years the climbing plant can spread rapidly. Regular pruning and thinning is therefore absolutely necessary.
