Does english ivy climb? [If YES then HOW!]
Have you thought about why your English ivy is so tall and covering type? It may become a puzzle if you want to know about their climbing procedure. But it is a natural process of this plant.
Does English ivy climb? Yes, of course, it does. A matured English ivy plant can cover a side of your whole wall. This is possible because of the climbing quality of your English ivy plant. The aerial roots emerge from the nodes of the stems that help climbing.
The outstanding leaves, as well as their tremendous appearance, create a special position for this plant. Let’s know about this in detail.
English ivy characteristics
English ivy is always loveable and a new experience of a houseplant for the gardeners. Because of its extraordinary appearance, it is always mentioned with great importance. Why not you know about the basic features of their outlook?
| Characteristics | English ivy |
| Scientific name | Hedera helix |
| Family | Araliaceae |
| Origin | Western Asia and Europe |
| Other names | European ivy, Common ivy or ivy |
| Plant type | Evergreen vine type |
| Leaf shape | The leaves are divided into 5 lobes. Each leaf is attached with the stem with a 50-80 mm petiole. The overall leaf size is 2-4 inches. The leaves are heart-shaped and alternately arranged. |
| Leaf color | Green colored leaf |
| Leaf surface | Waxy |
| Stem type | Climbing or trailing vine. It can grow very long if support is given properly. |
| Flower | Small yellow colored flower, but it is rare to be seen. |
| Blooming time | Late summer to autumn |
| Fruit | Purple black or orange-yellow berries. |
Does English ivy climb?
In a nutshell, the statement is, “Yeah! English ivy climb“. Stems of English ivies possess the climbing quality. Their trailing vines help them to grow almost 66-68 feet.
As they have no woody portion in their morphology, certainly they need help with any strong structure. On the other hand, they should have such mechanisms in them so that they can grow upward with the help of that firm structure.
The procedure of holding and growing through the rigid structure is the climbing process that the English ivies possess. Undoubtedly, they can cover your wall of the house with their climbing exorcism.
How long can it grow?
The English ivies can grow almost 20-30 meters which are 66-68 feet. Because of their absence of any woody portion, this whole growth depends on the climbing materials.
They need favorable conditions for their perfect growth. If the proper care is taken, the production of climbing materials remains undisturbed. Consequently, the growing mechanism also remains fine and the plant grows to such height.
Otherwise, the growth will be retarded and the plant may remain dwarf which may sometimes lead to the death of the plant.
Why does English ivy climb?
You may have gotten the logic of the existence of English ivy climbing. But what is the mechanism that leads them to climb? It’s nothing but their formation of rootlets that helps to hold the strict structure that they climb.
The rootlets or aerial roots are formed between the nodes. Nodes are the places where leaves are attached to the stem. This is an outstanding formation of this plant.
When these rootlets start to grow along with the plant growth, they interact with the walls of the house or where they grow. As a result, the plant can grow and climb easily.
When does English ivy start climbing?
If the mechanism of climbing is clear, you can easily understand when this plant will start to climb. The rootlet growing procedure is related to the inner metabolism of the English ivy plant.
After emerging as a seedling, it is ready to complete its all physiological processes. At that time, they can produce their rootlets and start to climb.
Care needed to English ivy for climbing
What if you are starving today? You will feel stressed and won’t be able to do your work properly. Just like your starving condition, plants also need their proper food. This food preparation procedure is related to the environment where they belong.
Climbing is the internal mechanism that will remain unimpeded in a comfortable situation. The following caring instructions are maintained for perfect climbing processes-
- Sunlight- They need indirect sunlight. They can grow in partially shady conditions. But bright sunlight is important for them. You cannot allow scorching sunlight for them.
- Temperature- English ivy is a plant native to cool or temperate regions. But below 10 degrees celsius is harmful to them.
- Humidity- It is a humid-loving plant. Around 60-70% humidity is enough for an English ivy plant.
- Watering- Watering is needed for this plant when the soil is dry. Excessive water is harmful to its proper nourishment.
- Nutrient management- Nutrients are needed at a minimum amount in English ivy plants. Fertilizing once a month in the summer and autumn seasons are enough for them. Diluting liquid fertilizers in a small amount in 1 gallon of water is enough to be sprayed in an English ivy plant.
You can get some more knowledge about caring from the below video.
What prevents English ivy from climbing?
Some definite spheres can resist your English ivy plant from climbing properly. These phenomena are to be noticed with great consciousness. Otherwise, the plant will die.
Adverse weather
Weather is an important issue for English ivy climbing. Excessive heat or too much cold will cause the plant to lose its turgidity. Again, the plant won’t be able to cope with the excessive transpiration or respiration process that will cause an imbalanced situation.
Absence of proper care
Watering, sunlight and other necessity of an English ivy plant is to be maintained properly. If you fail to complete the activities, the plant will not get enough energy to climb.
Pest attack
When the plant will be stressed because of any reason, it will be susceptible to pests and diseases. As a result, fungus and bacterial attacks will be seen and ultimately, the plant will lose its climbing properties.
Benefits of English ivy climbing
As a reader, you may ask me why do you need to know about English ivy climbing? It’s an issue about the safety of your house. Surprised? Let me explain.
English ivy plant climbing is very helpful to protect your house from the outside environment. They climb your wall but do not penetrate that. So, they form a layer outside your house that will keep your house cool on summer days.
Again, it will act as a protective material from outside dust and will keep your room environment fresh and healthy.
Final thoughts
The beautiful foliage of an English ivy along with its benefits of climbing is attractive to all. Again, the caring procedure is not too tough. You may easily grow an English ivy plant in your home.
It will meet up the need of your mind and your house at a time. So, try for this beautiful plant and decorate your house.
