As ivy matures, its stems turn woody, making it surprisingly easy to shape. In fact, it’s so versatile that you can actually train it to grow as a miniature tree! If you’re handy with a pair of shears and have a little creative spark, you can craft a truly one-of-a-kind specimen. With the right care, these little guys can stick around for a lifetime.
Ivy is Durable and Loves a Good Trim
For many plant lovers, imagining ivy as a bonsai seems a bit out there. But ivy actually has two superpowers that make it perfect for the job. First, it’s incredibly long-lived—experts say it can live up to 500 years! That gives you plenty of time to patiently shape it exactly how you want. Second, it handles pruning like a champ. It doesn’t mind being trimmed several times a year, even if you’re cutting back into the older, woody growth.
When it comes to styling, the sky’s the limit, though it’s tough to force it into a perfectly straight, upright trunk. Keep in mind that ivy doesn’t develop that thick, woody “tree” trunk until it reaches its adult phase, which usually takes about ten years. Before that, it’s going to focus most of its energy on putting out lots of long, trailing vines.
Finding the Perfect Spot: Indoors or Out
An ivy bonsai is happy living as a houseplant year-round, but it’s also perfectly fine staying outdoors. Either way, a shady location is your best bet. Direct midday sun can cause it to dry out fast, though a semi-shaded spot with some morning or evening sun is usually fine. In the winter, you can bring it inside or leave it out with some extra winter protection.
Quick heads-up:
Before you bring ivy into your home, remember that it is highly toxic. While adults know better than to nibble on it, it can be very dangerous for small children and pets.
Pruning and Wiring
You can prune your ivy anytime from spring through the end of summer. To keep that bonsai look, you’ll likely need to give it a haircut about three times a year, though you can do minor touch-ups whenever needed. If you have a vine that’s growing in the wrong direction, April is the best time to use bonsai wire to guide it, as the spring growth spurt helps the plant adapt to its new shape.
How to Care for Your Miniature Tree
Caring for an ivy bonsai isn’t much different than looking after a standard potted ivy:
- Water it as soon as the surface of the soil feels dry.
- Make sure it has good drainage to avoid soggy roots.
- Fertilize from March through September.
- Use a liquid fertilizer specifically formulated for bonsais.
- Repot every year.
- Be sure to give the root ball a significant trim during repotting.
Pro Tip:
For the best results, mix your own potting medium using equal parts seed-starting soil, lava granulate, and Akadama (Japanese clay soil).