Growing ivy on the walls is an interesting and simpler way to make the exterior walls attractive while adding interest to the uninteresting shady spots. Many homeowners love to cover their walls with ivy due to its beautiful, calming green color that makes it the center of attraction. Growing an ivy plant is damn easy and needs no prior experience or expertise but little care and love. All you should know is the basic idea of do's and don'ts and how to grow ivy on a wall. If growth direction is not controlled, ivy can spread to unwanted areas, and getting rid of them would be a big task. In this article, we discuss how to grow ivy on a wall to help you grow them easily.
Points to Consider When Growing Ivy
Before you begin to grow ivy, there are certain points to consider to avoid mistakes. Here they are:
Decide on Which Wall to Grow Ivy
Deciding the wall on which you want to grow ivy is as important as any other criterion. Grow ivy on a masonry wall with robust structural integrity that can bear the weight of the vines. Weak walls of old buildings, wooden walls, and fences, or any wall with crack is vulnerable to damage, so avoid growing on such walls.
Avoid Aggressive Ivy Species
If your walls are old and have cracks, invasive species may damage the walls further. However, if the house has robust masonry and is newly constructed with no cracks in the walls, even the aggressive species can't damage the walls, so you have a free hand in selecting the type of ivy.
Many ivy species, like English ivy, have an invasive character due to their growth pattern that creates a nuisance. English ivy grows very fast, covering the other plants and branches, making it difficult for them to breathe and enable photosynthesis. It's important to know which type of ivy is good for your walls.
Select the Right Ivy Species
Explore the ivy options and opt for ivy, which is self-climbing, and aerial roots are not very strong enough to damage the structure. The most preferred ivies are Virginia Creeper and Boston Ivy, as they possess the best features to be grown on home walls to cover the bumpy walls and enhance the look.
Boston ivy is commonly grown on buildings as it doesn't need a support structure to grow on walls and grows really fast. Another versatile species is the Virginia creeper, which can tolerate any type of soil and sunlight and requires no maintenance.
Regular Trimming and Pruning
Self-climbing ivy plants require regular trimming and pruning. If you fail to do so, these ivy plants will cover the doors and windows and block the gutters and even chimneys. If you plan to grow ivy, be ready for timely maintenance.
Check for Proper Height and Access to the Sun
When growing ivy, apart from factors, consider the height and accessibility to sunlight. Proper height ensures ivy grows beautifully, covering the entire wall with lush green leaves. The availability of a full wall for ivy to grow saves it from looking overwhelmed and also gives proper access for maintenance and trimming.
The plant should be falling in the direction that receives enough sunlight. Undoubtedly, each ivy species has varied sunlight requirements. However, plants that need more sunlight will benefit from the right direction.
Plant During Spring and Fall
Another important consideration is the selection of the right time of the year to plant ivy. Whether you plant to grow a new plant or from an indoor potted plant, try planting ivy during spring and fall when there's balanced light and watering. Also, be mindful of the space between the plants for maximum growth.
Train Vines to Climb
Help your plants grow in the right direction because gravity pulls them toward the ground if plants are not properly supported. You can use trellis or poles to show a skyward route to the plants. Once they know the path, they grow where you want them to grow.
Water the Plants Regularly
Regularly water the plants until the ivy is established. Like all other plants, ivy, too, requires manual watering during the growing days. However, once established, the strong roots go deep in the ground to feed.
Pruning to Aid Plant's Growth
Pruning is important to keep plants healthy and look good, but be mindful of the pruning time because the right pruning time decides how to plant flowers in the following season. The normal growing ivy should be pruned in the mid-spring and overgrown ivy during early spring to allow vines to sprout new growth. Once vines are established, prune them once a year.
Keep an Eye on Critters
Ivy retains moisture and keeps heat inside the walls, which gives hiding spots for small and big pests. There are many beneficial species, like butterflies, and some harmful pests, like hornets. Even bats and birds find a perfect place in vines to make their nest, so keep an eye on their activities.
How to Grow Ivy on a Wall?
Purchase Ivy Plant From Nursery or Plant From Cuttings
Plant ivy bought from a nursery in the spring or fall for the best growth result. If you have grown ivy seeds in the pot, transplant them to the ground near the brick wall once the roots are established. If you want to cover the entire wall, buy multiple plants.
Some Tips: For every 46-61 cm of wall, one ivy plant is needed.
Dig a Hole at a Distance of One Foot From the Brick Wall
Dig a hole using a garden trowel of the depth of the pot in which ivy came in and plant it at a distance of one foot away from the brick wall to give free space for roots to grow and establish themselves. If you plant the seed, simply insert the seed deep down the ground, and if you are transferring from the pot, gently remove the plant from the root and plant it in the hole dug. Then, fill the soil around the ivy and water them.
Add Mulch Around the Soil
Once ivy is sown, add mulch on the top of the soil in about a foot radius to keep the root system moist and cool.
Water Regularly
Water ivy regularly on checking the topsoil. If the top 2 inches of the soil layer look dry, water the plant.
Conclusion
Growing ivy on the walls is an interesting way to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the home's exterior space. The best thing is the ease of growing ivy. Before you start growing ivy, consider a few points discussed in this article to avoid mistakes and to ensure perfect growth.
