- Which walls are suitable?
- Inspect the wall for damage beforehand
- Prune ivy regularly
- Remove ivy from the wall
A house wall greened with ivy is certainly very decorative. It ensures a good indoor climate in the house and offers birds and insects a good shelter. In addition, you do not have to paint the wall, and the facade is protected from unwanted sprayers. However, there are a few things to consider before planting.
Ivy doesn't need help to climb walls
Which walls are suitable?
Not every wall is suitable for greening with ivy. This is especially true for very light walls. Light colors reflect the light too much, causing the ivy tendrils to move away from the wall and the clinging roots not finding a footing.
The facade should also have a slightly uneven surface so that the ivy can climb up it more easily.
Inspect the wall for damage beforehand
Ivy can do considerable damage to a house wall or wall if the wall shows signs of damage. If the stones are loose, the joints are no longer tight or there is a lot of wood in the wall, the roots of the ivy can penetrate and widen holes and openings. This allows moisture to get into the wall.
So before you plant ivy on the house wall, examine the wall carefully and repair any damage beforehand.
Prune ivy regularly
After a few years, ivy begins to grow vigorously. Within a year, the tendrils can grow up to two meters longer. It often doesn't take long for the ivy to reach the roof or black out windows.
You must therefore cut back ivy as regularly as possible. Above all, he should not get on the roof, as he can easily lift roof tiles.
Ivy also forms shoots on the ground, so you have to use scissors regularly or pull off offshoots. This is especially true if the wall is near a neighboring property.
Remove ivy from the wall
Ivy is not so easy to remove from a wall. You have to carefully tear off the shoots from top to bottom. Nevertheless, traces left by the adhesive roots on the wall remain.
You can remove dirt with wire brushes or a high-pressure cleaner (€119.90). You need to be careful when doing this so as not to damage the masonry.
tips
If you live in a rented apartment, you should definitely ask your landlord for permission if you want to green a wall with ivy. The damage caused by ivy can be quite expensive.