The age form is only as pronounced in a few plants as in ivy. After about ten years, the appearance of the leaves in particular changes. The respective age plays a special role in the propagation. This is how you can tell that the ivy has reached its old age.
With age, the leaf shape of the ivy changes and it forms fruit
The leaves change with age
Up to the age of ten years, the ivy appears primarily as a climbing plant that forms five-lobed leaves on long tendrils. When the ivy has reached its mature form, growth shifts primarily to the formation of flowers and fruit.
At the same time, the plant lignifies more and then looks more like a shrub. Very old specimens of ivy even look quite similar to trees.
The age form on the leaves is most striking. These are no longer jagged, but get a heart shape. Both age forms are possible on one plant.
Propagation of ivy from mature form
If you propagate ivy from young shoots, you will get plants that primarily form tendrils and are grown as climbing plants.
On the other hand, when ivy propagates as it matures, it develops shrub-like plants that stand upright and no longer climb. They bear flowers and later fruit, which are not yet formed in young plants.
The flowers appear as spherical inflorescences, which consist of about 20 individual flowers. The black-brown fruits develop from them, in which the seeds ripen. Some ivy species also develop yellow or white berries.
Young ivy can be cut into shapes
When growing ivy as bonsai, young plants are primarily used, as only these can be cut into the desired shapes.
From the old-age form propagated ivy forms dense bushes, which show lush flowering in the fall and bear fruit in the spring.
If you want to plant ivy that does not climb, you must either propagate it from the mature form or obtain appropriate specimens from gardening stores.
tips
Flowering and fruit-bearing ivy bushes should not be grown in gardens where there are children and pets. The fruits in particular are highly toxic and pose a serious risk of poisoning for humans and animals.