Table of Contents
Boston ivy is known for its leaves, it also produces small green flowers and dark berries that attract birds.
This deciduous perennial woody vine is very easy to grow, but you may need to prune it regularly to keep it in place.
Boston ivy has a distinct presence in the landscape, whether it’s climbing a trellis or fence, or creeping up the side of a building.
This article covers everything on how to plant Boston ivy.
Steps To Plant Boston Ivy
Every Boston ivy variety needs ideal planting conditions.
If you set yourself up for success by planting properly, your plant will thrive well.
Here are some basic steps you need to follow to get the best results when growing this beautiful perennial climber:
Choose A Site
Boston ivy grows well in full sun or shade and will tolerate most soil conditions.
Count on this salt-tolerant plant to grow well in slow-draining clay and quick-drying sandy soils, and every type of soil in between.
Carefully choose a support structure before planting your vines.
Boston ivy grows fast.
Once it has found its “home” it is very difficult to transplant.
A brick garden wall is a great option as this vine doesn’t need to wrap itself around a structure to grow.
It has glue-like properties that allow it to spread on flat surfaces.
Choose an area that is not too close to your home.
Treat the wood on a trellis or fence to prevent excess moisture problems.
The vine adheres to vertical surfaces through the use of adhesive fasteners that remain attached to the structure long after the vine is removed.
For this reason, you might want to reconsider growing this vine on structures with painted, wooden, or clapboard exteriors.
If you would like this fast-growing ivy to cover your home or garage, prune it annually to keep it from growing over windows and gutters.
Boston ivy is opportunistic: it doesn’t want it crawling into your house.
Read Also:
Plant Seeds Or Cuttings
Plant your Boston ivy vines in loamy soil where they will receive partial sunlight.
In general, a location with morning sun and afternoon shade is best.
These vines will not stay healthy growing in full shade.
However, they can also be prone to sunburn if they get too much afternoon sun in hot climates.
Grow your Boston ivy on an east-facing wall for the perfect balance of sun and shade.
Boston ivy does best in well-drained, clay soil with a pH between 5.0 and 7.5, but is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions and urban pollution.
Choose clay soil. Choose an area that gets partial sunlight.
Sow the seeds half an inch deep. Boston Ivy cuttings should be planted at 3 inches deep.
Space the plants 1.5 meters apart.
When planting seeds, be sure to plant them half an inch deep.
If you plan to use rooted or unrooted cuttings, plant them at least 3 inches deep.
Whether you’re using cuttings or seeds, make sure the vines are 1.5 meters apart.
Water Your Plants
For the first season after planting, water the plant well and spread a 2-inch layer of mulch around the root zone to keep it cool.
After compacting the soil around each seed or cutting, water the area.
Once established, Boston Ivy is not fussy about soil.
Like many plants, she prefers soil that is neither too wet nor too dry but thrives in a wide range of soil conditions.
However, it is important to water immediately after planting.
Pack the soil tightly around each plant or seed.
Water the area well.
Once you have planted Boston ivy seed, water every day for a month.
Water the seeds once a day for up to a month as long as the soil doesn’t get too wet.
Cuttings, water every other day for 30 days.
Once your plants begin to grow and thrive, water them as needed to avoid overly dry soil and future problems.
Best Conditions For Your Boston Ivy To Thrive
You can get Boston ivy to spread faster if you plant it where there is plenty of shade.
While this isn’t the best condition for the vine itself, it will grow faster if it makes an effort to find the sun.
Boston ivy planted in the shade also tends to have larger leaves.
So if you want an ivy with classic qualities, don’t plant your ivy in the shade.
Plant Boston ivy in the shade for faster growth.
There is no need for fertilization when planting Boston ivy.
Grow Boston ivy vertically with other houseplants as part of a saucer garden.
Avoid pruning to encourage rapid growth.
Like most vines, Boston ivy requires pruning several times a year.
However, if your goal is for it to spread faster, skip pruning.
Just keep in mind that if you have no choice but to prune the vine, this will be a lot of work for the following season.
Caring For Boston Ivy During Water
Although the Boston ivy is dormant in late fall after shedding the last leaf and dropping the last soft berry, it still needs some care to prepare it for the coming winter.
This usually involves pruning the vine.
The best time to prune ivy is winter.
This helps the factory to conserve its resources.
You can also prune it at any time if you find it necessary.
If the branches are covering windows or doors, you can even cut them in the middle of the growing season.
This will not affect or damage the vine. strong as this could slow down their growth in the next season.
When Should You Plant Boston Ivy?
Boston ivy should be planted in late spring or early summer.
This is considered the ideal time to plant, but it doesn’t mean you’ll get poor results if you plant elsewhere.
Start Boston ivy in late spring for best results.
Boston ivy planted later in the season will continue to grow and thrive.
If planted late, this vine will quickly become dormant but will thrive again in spring.
Boston ivy is a hardy vine that goes dormant over the winter rather than dying.
Keep in mind that planting later in the year will affect their growth cycle.
You may not have time for significant growth if you wait until mid-summer to plant.
Rather, it goes through a dormant cycle and then reaches its full potential the following spring.
FAQ’s
Can You Grow Boston ivy in a container outside?
Consider growing Boston ivy as indoor houseplants or in outdoor containers if you like the way the lustrous leaves look but don’t want to cope with the invasive behavior of the plant.
Is Boston ivy a fast grower?
Boston ivy is a fast-growing tendril-type vine that thrives in both full sun and shade and can withstand a variety of soil types.
Will Boston ivy survive winter?
As long as the average wintertime temperature in your location doesn’t fall below -10 F (-23 C), maintaining Boston ivy is simple. It doesn’t require feeding or protection in the winter, although late winter pruning is necessary.
How far apart should I plant Boston ivy?
between 5 and 10 feet
How invasive is Boston ivy?
English ivy is more invasive than Boston ivy. Boston ivy is simpler to manage than English ivy, despite the fact that it will blanket the ground just as quickly and climb up tree trunks or over fences. Despite the fact that both varieties of vines are regarded as damaging to native plants, it is not nearly as destructive.
How long does Boston ivy last?
In two years, Boston ivy can completely cover a wall. This vine uses suction to cling to walls. It has a maximum height of 50 feet (15 meters) and a maximum width of 30 feet when unhindered (9 meters).
Is Boston ivy hard to control?
Many gardeners would tell you not to grow ivy unless it can be contained in a pot or within a bordered space because controlling Boston ivy outdoors may be quite difficult. You might, however, have inherited an ivy-covered yard or find its emerald-leaved beauty impossible to pass up.
Is Boston ivy self clinging?
Boston ivy and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus sp.) are two self-clinging climbers that rarely harm wall surfaces, although common or English ivy does (Hedera helix sp.)
Final Thoughts
These simple tips above will help you grow a healthy plant with beautiful green foliage.
In just a few seasons, your ivy will grow to cover the wall or fence where you planted it.