How to Propagate English Ivy From Cuttings

English Ivy is a fast-growing vine appreciated for its trailing foliage. Its popularity stems from its appearance and the simplicity of creating new plants. Propagating this plant is a straightforward process that allows even novice gardeners to multiply their collection with minimal effort from a parent plant.

Gathering Propagation Materials

Before starting, gather a few basic items to ensure a smooth process. You will need a healthy English Ivy plant for cuttings and a clean pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears. You also need a vessel for your cuttings, such as a glass jar for water rooting or a small pot with drainage holes for soil propagation.

For soil propagation, a well-draining potting mix is required. While not mandatory, rooting hormone powder can be beneficial for encouraging faster root development in soil.

How to Take a Proper Cutting

The success of propagation begins with a quality cutting. Select a healthy, mature vine from the parent plant, preferably one showing fresh growth and no signs of pests or disease. The best time to take cuttings is in the late summer or early fall when the plant is actively growing.

Identify the leaf nodes on the vine, which are the small bumps on the stem where leaves and aerial roots emerge. New roots will sprout from these nodes. Using your sharp shears, cut a four to six-inch section of the vine just below a leaf node.

Once you have your cutting, prepare it for rooting. Gently remove the leaves from the bottom two to three inches of the stem. This step is important because any leaves submerged in water or buried in soil will rot, which can introduce bacteria and cause the cutting to fail. You should have a bare stem with several exposed nodes at the bottom and a few leaves at the top.

Rooting Methods for English Ivy

Propagating in Water

One common method for rooting English Ivy is in water. Place the prepared cuttings in a clear glass or jar of room-temperature water. Ensure the stripped nodes at the bottom of the stem are fully submerged while the remaining leaves stay above the waterline. A clear container is advantageous as it allows you to monitor root development.

To maintain a healthy environment, change the water every few days to prevent bacteria buildup and keep it oxygenated. Place the jar in a location that receives bright, indirect sunlight. Within two to four weeks, you should see small, white roots emerging from the submerged nodes.

Propagating in Soil

Alternatively, you can plant cuttings directly into soil. This method often results in a stronger initial root system, though you cannot visually track its progress. Fill a small pot with a moist, well-draining potting mix; you can add sand or perlite to improve drainage.

Before planting, you can dip the cut end of the stem into rooting hormone powder. Use a pencil to poke a hole in the soil to avoid rubbing the hormone off. Place the cutting into the hole, ensuring at least one or two bare nodes are buried, and gently firm the soil around it.

Caring for New Propagations

Once roots have formed, cuttings require care to transition into established plants. Cuttings rooted in water are ready to be potted when the new roots are one to two inches long. Gently remove them from the water and plant them in a small pot with moist potting soil.

For both water-started and soil-started propagations, place the newly potted plants in a location that receives bright, indirect light, as direct sunlight can scorch them. The soil should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged to prevent root rot.

You will know propagation has been successful when you see new leaf growth. This is a clear signal the root system has established, and you can begin to care for it as a mature English Ivy plant.