Ivy is an extremely fast-growing climbing plant that spreads not only upwards, but also on the ground. Ivy is therefore very popular as a privacy screen on the fence, for greening facades or as ground cover in the garden. How fast does ivy grow?

Ivy can grow up to two meters per year

At first, ivy grows slowly

In the first few years, the growth of ivy is not so pronounced. However, once the plant has settled into the garden, you can almost watch it grow.

In a favorable location with sufficient moisture but without waterlogging, ivy sometimes grows up to two meters per year.

Ivy not only grows tall when it finds enough support on walls, fences or trees, it also spreads on the ground. It is therefore often used as a ground cover or for planting graves.

growth in old age

From a certain age, usually from about ten years, ivy reaches its old age. It then grows upwards like a shrub and no longer spreads over climbing tendrils.

In its mature form, ivy prefers sunny locations and produces flowers in autumn and fruit later. The fruits are very poisonous and must not get into the hands of children.

Regular cutting important

So that ivy does not overgrow the whole garden in a short time, you have to cut it regularly. This is especially true when it grows on the wall of the house. As soon as the tendrils reach the windows or the roof, trimming is the order of the day.

If ivy is used as a hedge, it should be cut back and thinned out at least once a year. This prevents diseases.

Ideal privacy protection even in winter

As problematic as growing ivy may be, ivy is ideal as a hedge in the garden. In contrast to other hedge plants, ivy is evergreen and forms a dense privacy screen even in winter.

Caring for ivy is very easy. Apart from regular cutting, ivy does not require any further care.

Ivy can become a weed

Due to its rapid spread, ivy can become a dreaded weed in the garden. Destruction is expensive. Before you decide on ivy as a privacy screen or facade greening, you should consider a few points:

  • Ivy needs regular pruning
  • Ivy must not be grown on every wall
  • Ivy cannot be removed from walls without leaving a residue
  • How do you prune ivy at high altitude?
  • What to do with the leftovers?
  • Ivy is poisonous - to humans and animals
  • Ivy is difficult to remove

tips

If you have a lot of ivy in the garden, there will be large amounts of clippings in later years. You cannot put these cuttings on the compost. An alternative are collection points for green waste, which are offered by many municipalities.

Category:

Indoor plants