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This article was reviewed by Ben Barkan and by wikiHow staff writer, Savannah Vold. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
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Green, fast-growing, and gorgeous, ivy is a prolific and lush plant that can add a whole lot of flair to your landscape or inside your home. Whether you want ivy for your yard or as an indoor plant, growing ivy from cuttings is an easy process that will save you the cost of buying new plants. In this article, we’ll teach you all about how to root your cuttings in soil or water and transfer them to a larger pot once you’ve propagated them. Read on for green goodness!
Things You Should Know
- Cut a 5 in (13 cm) ivy stem with 3 to 4 nodes using pruning shears in late summer to early fall.
- Using a pencil, poke as many holes as you have cuttings in a 8 in (20 cm) pot filled with 1 part sand and 1 part perlite. Then, dip the cut end of your ivy into rooting hormone.
- Insert the hormone-dipped cutting into one of the holes you made in the soil. Then, gently press the soil around the cutting to secure it in place, and water it thoroughly.
Steps
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![Step 1 Take cuttings from ivy in the late summer or early fall.]()
Take cuttings from ivy in the late summer or early fall. From English Ivy to Swedish Ivy, all ivy varieties produce new growth in the late summer or early fall, making this an excellent time of year to take cuttings for propagation. Additionally, taking cuttings between the late summer to early fall ensures that the timing is right for planting your new ivy in the spring if you’re planning on moving them outside.[1]- Whether you plan to propagate your clippings in soil or water (either method is equally effective for any ivy variety), take your cuttings in the late summer and early fall months.
- Aim to take cuttings before the cold weather sets in.
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![Step 2 Look for young, fresh growth on an existing ivy plant.]()
Look for young, fresh growth on an existing ivy plant. Identify new growth by looking for the parts of the ivy plant that look fresh and light green rather than the older areas with dark green leaves and thick stems. Ivy clippings taken from the current year’s growth are most likely to succeed in the propagation process—hello, new plant friends![2]- Taking cuttings from this year’s growth is also known as semi-ripe cutting.
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![Step 3 Cut a 5 in...]()
Cut a 5 in (13 cm) ivy stem with 3 to 4 nodes using pruning shears. Hold the stem with 1 hand just above one of the nodes (the point where the leaves branch off the stem). Then, use a pair of clean cutting shears to cut a 5-inch (13 cm) ivy clipping at a 45-degree angle.[3]- Avoid cutting ivy stems with damaged leaves or unusual growth patterns.
- Sanitize your pruning shears between cuttings by wiping isopropyl or rubbing alcohol over the surface of the shears.[4]
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![Step 4 Wrap the cuttings in a damp towel and put them in a plastic bag.]()
Wrap the cuttings in a damp towel and put them in a plastic bag. Wet a paper towel or rag and carefully wrap it around the cut ends of your ivy stems. Then, place your wrapped cuttings in a plastic bag to help keep them moist as you prepare to plant them.[5]- Wrapping your cuttings in a damp paper towel is especially important if you're waiting to put your cuttings in soil for an hour or more.
- Take your cuttings in the morning, as the ivy will likely be covered in dew which may help keep your cuttings moist and happy.
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![Step 1 Select a 8 in (20 cm) pot to insert your cutting(s) into.]()
Select a 8 in (20 cm) pot to insert your cutting(s) into. If you plan on doing 6 cuttings or less, go for a standard 8 in (20 cm) pot. Plant ivy cuttings in any type of pot, including terra cotta, plastic, and ceramic—just make sure it has drainage holes at the bottom.[6]- Putting several cuttings in one pot will reduce the space required for the cuttings and mean fewer pots to water. Who doesn't love less work?
- If you plan on taking more than 6 cuttings, go for a larger pot, or opt to plant your cuttings in several pots instead.
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![Step 2 Fill each pot with 1 part sand and 1 part perlite and water it.]()
Fill each pot with 1 part sand and 1 part perlite and water it. Start by filling a pot with 1 part sand and 1 part perlite, leaving about 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) of space from the edge. Then, place the pot over a sink or set it outside, and fill the pot with water until it runs out of the bottom.[7]- Leaving the soil below the edge of the pot will allow you to water the cuttings without the water overflowing.
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![Step 3 Poke holes in the soil 2 inches (5.1 cm) apart around the edge of the pot.]()
Poke holes in the soil 2 inches (5.1 cm) apart around the edge of the pot. Use the eraser end of a pencil to poke holes 3 inches (7.6 cm) deep. This will allow you to insert the cuttings into the soil without moving the rooting powder off the end of the cutting.[8]- Make as many holes as you have cuttings.
- Skewers, dowels, or other small pointed objects are effective tools to help you poke holes in the soil.
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![Step 4 Trim an additional 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) off the ends of the cuttings.]()
Trim an additional 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) off the ends of the cuttings. Using your pruning shears, trim 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) from the end of your cuttings at a 45-degree angle. Then, prune away any leaves within 3 inches (7.6 cm) off the end of the cutting. This will give you a clean, fresh end to insert into the soil.[9]- Re-cutting the ends of your ivy clippings is especially important if you gathered them longer than an hour ago, as the cuttings are more likely to have dried out.
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![Step 5 Dip the cut...]()
Dip the cut end of each cutting in rooting hormone. Pour some of your rooting hormone into a cup. Then, dip the bottom 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of the cut end of your ivy into the hormone powder. Finish by carefully lifting the clipping out and lightly tapping it to knock off any excess hormone.[10]- Rooting powder is a chemical designed to stimulate plant cuttings and ensures that your lovely ivy will grow to its fullest capacity!
- Pouring your root powder into a cup rather than placing the clippings directly into the container protects your rooting powder from becoming contaminated for future use.
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![Step 6 Place a cutting into each hole and secure it with soil.]()
Place a cutting into each hole and secure it with soil. Carefully insert each cutting into one of the individual holes you created. Then, place the end with the rooting hormone into a hole until it hits the bottom. Hold the cutting upright with one hand and press the soil around it so it stays securely in place.[11]- Keep the cutting centered in the hole to avoid knocking off any rooting growth hormone. The more root hormone you manage to keep on your cutting, the better chance it has to grow into a gorgeous plant.
- If the cutting is too long or unwieldy to stay in the soil, you may need to keep it in place with a stake. To do this, simply place a stick a few inches from the base of the plant and secure it to the plant with non-wire plant ties.
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![Step 7 Soak your ivy pot until water runs out the bottom.]()
Soak your ivy pot until water runs out the bottom. Put your freshly planted clippings under a faucet or use a watering can to soak the soil. Keep watering in a light stream until water comes out of the bottom of the pot, which will signal that you've thoroughly moistened all of the soil.[12]- Be careful not to disturb the cuttings as you water by keeping the stream of water away from the base so that they stay securely in the soil.
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![Step 1 Place the cutting in a cup filled with room-temperature water.]()
Place the cutting in a cup filled with room-temperature water. Fill a cup you don’t mind using for propagation full of room temperature water. Then, carefully insert your cutting into the cup, ensuring that you've covered the bottom node on the stem with water.[13] -
![Step 2 Change the water once every 2 to 3 days and rinse the roots.]()
Change the water once every 2 to 3 days and rinse the roots. Dump out the old water and replace it with clean, room-temperature water once every 2 to 3 days. This will promote root growth and ensure that your ivy cutting has the clean water it needs to establish itself into a healthy, new plant![14]- Look for any leaves that drop into the water and promptly remove them.
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![Step 3 Transfer the cuttings to soil once the roots are 5 in (13 cm) long.]()
Transfer the cuttings to soil once the roots are 5 in (13 cm) long. Check the length of the roots by carefully pulling the ivy stem out of the water and holding a ruler next to the roots. Then, measure the ivy from the bottom node to the end of the roots. If your cutting is about 5 in (13 cm), carefully plant your rooted clipping in a pot pre-filled with 1 part perlite and 1 part sand, and water it thoroughly.[15]- If your cutting isn’t around 5 in (13 cm), carefully re-insert your cutting back into the water-filled cup.
- You should notice root growth after about 2-3 weeks—how exciting!
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![Step 1 Place the pots in a bright, warm location.]()
Place the pots in a bright, warm location. If the pots are inside, place them near a window that gets bright light but won’t shine directly onto the cuttings. If you’re keeping your potted cuttings outside, put them in a greenhouse, a propagator, or cover the pots with plastic bags and place them in a warm, bright location out of direct sunlight to ensure they stay happy and healthy.[16]- Be sure to place the cuttings somewhere easily accessible, as you will need to check the moisture level of the potted cuttings every few days or so.
- Consider putting the cuttings somewhere you'll regularly see so you remember to care for them.
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![Step 2 Keep the surface of the cutting’s soil damp at all times.]()
Keep the surface of the cutting’s soil damp at all times. Sprinkle the soil with water whenever the surface starts to dry out. The amount of time the soil takes to dry out will depend on the warmth and humidity where the plants are located.[17]- Use your finger to feel the top layer of soil and determine if it’s dry.
- A mister hose attachment works well to keep outdoor cuttings wet, while direct watering works well for indoor pots.
- Be careful not to drown the cuttings by leaving the pot sitting in water.
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![Step 3 Remove any discolored or dead cuttings in the soil.]()
Remove any discolored or dead cuttings in the soil. If you see a cutting that has turned yellow, wilted, or fallen over, remove it from the pot. Taking dead and diseased cuttings out of the pot will help the other cuttings to grow and thrive.[18] -
![Step 4 Repot cuttings when they have new growth or in the spring.]()
Repot cuttings when they have new growth or in the spring. With proper love and care, climbers like ivy typically root within 1-2 months. Once you’re ready to repot them, simply move them to a larger container and pot them as you would any new plant, using normal soil and being careful not to damage the roots in the transition process.[19]- Allow your new cuttings to establish themselves for at least a few months before repotting them.
- If you are planning to move your cuttings outdoors, wait until they develop a strong root system and plant them outdoors in the spring or the fall.
Expert Q&A
wikiHow Video: How to Grow Ivy from Cuttings
Video
Tips
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about gardening, check out our in-depth interview with Grant Wallace.
References
- ↑ https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/extpub/new-plants-from-cuttings-text-only/
- ↑ https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/english-ivy
- ↑ https://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2018/1/cleaning_pruning_tools/
- ↑ https://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2018/1/cleaning_pruning_tools/
- ↑ https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/extpub/new-plants-from-cuttings-text-only/
- ↑ https://extension.illinois.edu/container-gardens
- ↑ https://libguides.nybg.org/c.php?g=655112&p=4597727
- ↑ https://www.uvm.edu/news/extension/more-please-propagating-houseplants
- ↑ https://getbusygardening.com/propagating-pothos/
- ↑ https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/extpub/new-plants-from-cuttings-text-only/
- ↑ https://portal.ct.gov/CAES/Plant-Science-Day/2000/Basic-Techniques-for-Propagating-Plants
- ↑ https://gardenerspath.com/plants/houseplants/grow-swedish-ivy/
- ↑ https://www.houseplant411.com/swedish-ivy/swedish-ivy-plant-propagation/
- ↑ https://www.houseplant411.com/swedish-ivy/swedish-ivy-plant-propagation/
- ↑ https://gardenerspath.com/plants/houseplants/propagate-pothos/#Rooting-Cuttings-in-Water
- ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=474
- ↑ https://www.uvm.edu/news/extension/more-please-propagating-houseplants
- ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=474
- ↑ https://www.uvm.edu/news/extension/more-please-propagating-houseplants
About This Article
To grow ivy from cuttings, select a young shoot on an established plant in late summer or early fall. Choose a stem that is about 6 inches (15 cm) long and make sure there are 3-4 leaf nodes on the stem. Cut straight across the stem with disinfected garden shears. Wrap a damp paper towel around the cut end of the stem and place the whole thing in a plastic bag to help maintain moisture. Next, fill an 8-inch (20 cm) pot with potting soil to ½ inch (1.3 cm) below the top of the pot, and run water into the pot until it runs out the drainage holes at the bottom. Use the eraser end of a pencil to poke a hole in the soil that’s about 3 inches (7.6 cm) deep. If you’re planting several cuttings, make a series of holes around the edge of the pot, spaced about 2 inches (5.1 cm) apart. With clean shears, trim ½ inch (1.3 cm) off the end of each cutting and trim away any leaves that are within 3 inches (7.6 cm) of the end of the stem. Dip the cut ends in rooting hormone, then slide each cutting into the holes you made in the soil. If the cuttings can’t stay upright on their own, stabilize them with stakes. Water the soil again until you see water coming out of the drainage holes. Keep the pot in a warm, bright location out of direct sunlight, and water the soil any time it starts to dry out. Remove any cuttings that have turned yellow or wilted. It should take 1-2 months for the cuttings to take root. Once they do, repot them or plant them in the ground when you notice new growth.
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