Some gardeners can’t wait for their ivy to take off, while others are constantly cursing it as it tries to take over the entire yard. But just how fast does ivy actually grow? And is there anything we can do to keep it in check—or give it a little boost?
Slow Start, Fast Finish
Generally speaking, ivy is considered a fast grower. However, the pace changes quite a bit throughout its long life.
- After planting, ivy needs a “settling-in” phase of about 2 to 3 years.
- During this time, it’s busy claiming its territory underground with its roots.
- Above-ground growth stays pretty modest during this period.
- Once it hits that third year, though, ivy really hits the gas.
- In a single year, its vines can stretch out by about 5 feet (1.5 m).
Pro Tip:
If you want your ivy to be a climber, you’ll need to provide a sturdy trellis or support early on. Because it grows so fast, it will just spread out along the ground if it doesn’t have something to grab onto.
Ivy in its “Golden Years”
When ivy is about ten years old, it reaches its mature phase. This is when you’ll see its first flowers, followed by berries. Interestingly, the growth habit changes once it matures. It stops sending out those long, reaching vines and instead grows slower and more upright, almost like a shrub.
How to Speed Up Growth
If you’re trying to get ivy to climb a wall or create a DIY ivy fence, you might feel like it’s not moving fast enough. You can act as a bit of an accelerator by providing the perfect conditions:
- Avoid dry, sunny spots.
- A location with high humidity and plenty of shade is ideal.
- Loose, well-draining soil is a must.
- Fertilize regularly with compost.
- With the right care, you can see growth of up to 6.5 feet (2 m) per year!
Putting on the Brakes
Once ivy starts its “conquest” as a groundcover or climber, it can quickly turn into a weed that ruthlessly shades out and displaces your other plants. To slow it down, you’ll need to prune it regularly. Since ivy handles pruning incredibly well, don’t be afraid to grab the shears several times a year. You should also skip the fertilizer; usually, ivy only needs extra nutrients if your soil is very poor.
Quick Tip:
Make sure to leave enough planting distance from your neighbor’s property. This prevents the ivy from hopping the fence and ensures you have enough room to get in there and trim it back.
Indoor Ivy Stays More Manageable
Ivy in a pot still grows quickly, but it won’t reach the massive proportions of its outdoor cousins. In fact, if you’re diligent with your pruning, you can limit its growth so much that it can even be grown as an ivy bonsai.
The “Never Say Die” Plant
When we talk about how fast ivy grows, we have to mention how easily it reproduces. A tiny piece of vine or a missed root can quickly turn into a brand-new plant. Just a little contact with moist soil is enough to kickstart growth. If you’re trying to remove ivy from your garden, make sure you dispose of every bit of it thoroughly!
