skip to main content

California Gardening Cottage Gardens

Should I remove the dead ivy underneath my growing ivy?

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Hi!

I have a new house with years of Ivy growing around it on the fences. I love the Ivy but it has 1- 5 inches of dead ivy underneath it. Should I just leave it or clean it out?

Featured Answer

Sara Malone Zone 9b

5 years ago

Around here the biggest issue with ivy is rodents (especially rats) nesting in it. Therefore, I would clean it out. The other issue is aesthetic - how does it look? If you can see the dead leaves, another reason to clean it out.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Faith
5 years ago
Does it bug you? If yes, clean it out. If no, then just make sure that it’s not destroying the fences in any way, and put that yard time into planting bulbs!!
Related Discussions
Can I plant a vegetable garden where I just removed poison ivy?
Q
Comments (8)
I disagree. I agree that it will come back, but poison ivy is perhaps the most sensitive plants to Round up. You can apply two drops on three leaves with a small paint brush, and the whole plant dies. I was able to eliminate it from my blackberries without losing a single bramble. Once the plant dies (3-4 weeks after painting), cut it at the base so it falls to the floor and starts rotting. But I would not plant carrots, lettuce or turnips in there the first year, only stuff that is well elevated, tomatoes, pole beans or cucurbita with a trellis, collard, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, okra, pepper, eggplant. PI usually grows in good soil. You could also lay down cardboard and mulch, and punch holes just for the plants. That will separate you from the PI, but pay attention not to touch the trowel blade while you plant. This second method is probably as good as the first.
...See More
Indoor Ivy Plant with dead leaves
Q
Comments (4)
Given your situation, the 2 most likely issues are over-watering because there is no drain hole, spider mites because Hedera is typically a mite magnet indoors, or, if the planting has been established for more than a couple of months, the salt build-up Alison mentioned. Weak plants don't usually yield cuttings with a high success rate, but because ivy has pre-formed roots that occur at every node, you might snip the terminal 5 nodes, snip the leaves off 3 of them by cutting through the petiole (leaf stem) close to the attachment point, and potting it in a conventional pot with a drain hole and fast draining medium and putting the cutting outdoors in open shade and out of the wind. I would take the remaining parent pot out of the pot it's in, remove the old soil, and also repot that in a conventional pot with a drain hole and fast draining soil. After the cutting roots and/or the plant recovers and they start pushing new growth, you can start regular applications of fertilizer. PS - it's VERY easy for roots to get over-heated in a clear container - your set-up is essentially a passive solar collector. If any direct sun hits that container - it's a problem. Al
...See More
Kill the Ivy! Kill the Ivy! Help me Kill The Ivy!
Q
Comments (2)
I am generally opposed to using chemicals except when necessary. I did buy some weed-killer that says it's specifically for "woody vines" or something like that. After pulling up/out as much ivy as possible, I am carefully painting the weed killer on the new leaves when they appear. It seems to be working, as I have not seen much new growth. On one rock retaining wall, I also painted the weed killer on the cut stems when I couldn't pull them out. That seemed to be very effective. Roundup will work and is supposed to be relatively environmentally benign. Everything is relative, of course. It is much more environmentally friendly to just pull off the new sprouts when they appear. It will take longer, but eventually the plants will die if they don't have leaves to make food. I agree we should make ivy illegal.
...See More
Have started removing ivy...the treasures I have found
Q
Comments (7)
There are tons of trees we are not cutting down. I have maples, elderberry, poplars, I think cottonwoods, and some others. There are also old stumps and nursing logs that we will be leaving for the wildlife...I am just cleaning it up a little so that things can actually navigate back there. Right now I think the racoons and such are even having a hard time getting around from the looks of all the old burrows and nests we have found...no sign of antying living back there now. Our goal is to create a great bird refuge.
...See More
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
5 years ago
IME there is a range of plants folks refer to as ivy, so if you add a photo, you may get more specific info on care for your particular plant.
PRO
Red Berm
5 years ago
agree with cleaning out ivy.. which means selective removal of dead growth...but there is a story from one of my contractors.. he grew a vine on a trellis for 10 years to get it over the top..the vine was brown at the bottom and flowering on top.. his wife cut the vine at the bottom because she thought it was dead because it was brown ..and then it of course it died because it lost it's connection to it's roots. So..just mentioning we usually cut top down and some cleaning up may be possible but the way to make items look new is.. replacing it.
Jean
5 years ago
There's no way to remove the dead stuff without harming the live, top layer.

The correct way to renovate a ground-cover ivy is to mow it short, just before growth begins. It will return and look better than a new planting.

Heavy duty equipment will obviously be needed. Probably best to hire someone to do it for you.
cakbu z9 CA
5 years ago
I have aged honeysuckle growing on a fence. same scenario as your ivy, top growth looked good but undergrowth not so much. I cut it back every fall. I use electric hedge trimmers and it goes through the growth like a hot knife through butter. The vines don't look so good for awhile, but they quickly put on new green growth and look great.

Related Stories

GROUND COVERS Native Alternatives to English Ivy, Japanese Pachysandra and Periwinkle

By Curtis Adams

These shade-loving ground covers are good for the environment and say something about where you are

DECORATING GUIDES 12 Deadly Decorating Sins

Are your room designs suffering from a few old habits? It may be time to change your ways

CONTAINER GARDENS Yes, You Can Grow a Plant In That

By Jess McBride

You can upcycle your old typewriter, paint cans, tires and many more things into places for your plants

CURB APPEAL How to Make a Window Garden Grow

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Get the scoop on materials, installation, plantings and more to bring the charming look of window boxes to your home

CONTAINER GARDENS 8 Easy Container Plants to Grow From Seed

Get beautiful blooms and herbs in summer by starting these choice garden picks from seed in spring

ATTICS What Does Your Attic Want to Be When It Grows Up?

By Becky Harris

Thinking of an attic renovation but not sure exactly what to do? Let these 6 remodeled rooms inspire you

REMODELING GUIDES Ask an Architect: How Can I Carve Out a New Room Without Adding On?

When it comes to creating extra room, a mezzanine or loft level can be your best friend

HOUSEPLANTS 10 Top Plants to Grow Indoors

Brighten a room and clean the air with a houseplant that cascades artfully, stretches toward the ceiling or looks great on a wall

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Grow a Lush Privacy Screen

By Christine Tusher

No need to wait forever for patio privacy the green way. These 10 ideas will get your screening up and running in no time

GARDENING GUIDES Grow Your Own Privacy: How to Screen With Plants and Trees

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Use living walls to lower your home and garden's exposure while boosting natural beauty in your landscape

Sponsored

J.Holderby - Renovations

4 Reviews

Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

More Discussions

too little sun for UC Verde, or other buff? zone 22

6

Year of the Wood Dragon

13

What type of oak is this? zone 9b/10a SF East Bay

2

Is This baby Ivy…eating my shrubs…

1

My California Rose Garden 2024

66