Gardeners with an active and thriving ivy plant have the opportunity to propagate their ivy plants with cuttings. Because ivy plants often grow an abundance of dense, dark leaves, these are effective ways to create many new ivy plants from one mother plant. Root ivy plants by clipping healthy stems or leaves from an ivy vine. Within several weeks, you will have new ivy plants to use in your landscapes.
Clip a stem from the ivy plant. Choose a stem that is fresh, with green and vibrant leaves. Clip the stem just beneath a leaf node (a junction where a leaf intersects with the stem) with the pruning shears so the stem is approximately 6 to 8 inches long. Remove the tip of the stem just below another leaf node and discard the tip. Remove leaves from the bottom 2 inches of the stem to allow you to insert the stem into the soil.
Prepare a planting container for each stem cutting. Fill the container to the top with potting soil. Spray the surface of the potting soil with the spray bottle to moisten the soil.
Insert the stem cutting into the rooting hormone to cover the bottom inch of the stem.
Poke your finger into the center of the planting container to make a small indentation for the stem cutting. Insert the stem into the hole approximately 2 inches, and gently firm the soil around the stem so it stands straight in the container.
Place the plastic bag over the top of the planting container, and secure the bag to the container with a rubber band.
Place the planting container in a warm location (approximately 75 degrees Fahrenheit) out of direct sunlight.
Remove the plastic bag carefully, and spray the potting soil with the spray bottle every day. Replace the plastic after moistening the soil.
Watch the stem for signs of rooting. Within three weeks, you should notice new growth on the stem cutting. This new growth indicates new roots beneath the soil.
Transplant your new ivy plants to a permanent container or location outside.
Things You Will Need
- Healthy ivy plant
- Pruning shears
- 4-inch diameter planting container (one for each leaf)
- Potting soil
- Spray bottle (filled with water)
- Rooting hormone
- Plastic bags
- Rubber bands
Tip
- To root stem cuttings in water, fill a glass with cool water, and place the prepared stem into the water so the bottom 2 inches of the stem are beneath the surface of the water. Place the glass in a warm location out of direct sunlight and watch for roots to develop. Keep the water fresh and at the same level in the glass. Transfer the rooted stem to a planting container when the roots are approximately 2 inches long. Use utmost care in transplanting the rooted stem because the roots are fragile.
