If you’re looking to grow your Boston Ivy collection without spending a dime at the nursery, you’re in luck! Propagating this vigorous climber is actually pretty easy. One of the most reliable ways to get the job done is through a method called “layering” (or using runners). In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to do it so you can have those gorgeous leafy walls in no time.
Different Ways to Propagate Boston Ivy
When it comes to propagating Boston Ivy, you’ve got a few tools in your gardening belt. While layering is a fan favorite, you can also try:
- Starting new plants from cuttings
- Growing them from seeds
Why Layering is the Way to Go
Layering is a tried-and-true method that usually boasts a high success rate. Why? Because these little “offshoots” are much tougher and more resilient than delicate cuttings. Just a heads-up, though: you’ll want to baby them a bit during their first winter. Toss a layer of brushwood or some compost over the young plants to protect them from the biting frost. If they haven’t established a solid root system yet, a hard freeze can really do some damage.
One thing to keep in mind is that layering (just like taking cuttings) creates a genetic twin of the original plant. You’re essentially making a little clone with all the same traits and characteristics as the parent, so don’t expect any wild new varieties to pop up!
Step-by-Step: How to Layer Your Boston Ivy
Ready to get your hands dirty? Here is how you do it:
- First, pick out a healthy shoot. You want one that is young, flexible, and long enough to easily reach the ground next to the main plant.
- Give the middle of that shoot a very light nick with a knife and strip away any leaves or side branches from that section.
- Dig a shallow trench in the soil right next to the mother plant and gently bend the shoot down into it.
- Cover the middle section completely with dirt, leaving just the very tip of the shoot peeking out of the ground.
- If the vine keeps popping out of the soil, use a few stones, some garden twine, or even tent pegs to pin it down securely.
- Keep the soil consistently moist over the next few months, but be careful not to overwater—you don’t want the roots to rot before they even start!
It can take a few months for the shoot to develop its own root system. Once your new little vine is showing strong growth and has plenty of roots, you can snip it away from the mother plant with a sharp knife or garden shears. Then, it’s ready to be transplanted to its permanent home!
