Boston Ivy

Boston Ivy is not very picky about watering, but requires consistently damp soil. Though it prefers a bit of dampness in the soil, it does not tolerate wet conditions and too much standing water can cause root rot or disease. Monitor your soil for dampness and do not overwater; once weekly should typically suffice.

Boston Ivy is undemanding when it comes to lighting; it does best in bright, indirect light to full sun. When newly planted, it should be kept away from direct sunlight to reduce the chance of sunburn damage. In its natural habitat, it can climb trees up high and away from direct sunlight so leave space for it to do so if you give it a wire or trellis to climb from a young age.

Boston Ivy is hardy to United States Department of Agriculture Plant hardiness zones 4-8. In these zones, nights in the wintertime should hold no lower than 15 degrees Fahrenheit and 15 degrees Celsius. Summers should be a bit warmer, preferably no cooler than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, ideally warmer.

Boston Ivy appreciates high humidity levels in order to thrive, as it enjoys the damp conditions in its natural habitat. If it is grown in an especially dry environment, try misting its leaves a few times a week with water or adding a water source near the Ivy to boost the humidity. A humidifier in the room will do the trick, as well.

Boston Ivy prefers a moist, loamy soil that has good drainage. If possible, mix in some organic compost to help promote water retention and fertility in the soil. It does not prefer constantly wet or dry soil; too much water can cause root rot and too little can cause stagnant growth. Be sure to check that the soil is damp consistently during the growing season.

Boston Ivy prefers a balanced fertilizer with a 10-10-10 NPK (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) ratio. During the growing season, this can be applied once every two months to give the plant a boost. Alternatively, if desired, an all-purpose organic fertilizer may be used as well. Be sure to keep the fertilizer away from the stems, as this can burn the tissue and cause serious damage to the plant.

Though Boston Ivy is generally quite hardy when it comes to pests, it is not invulnerable! The most common pests that will attack it are: aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. If you can, manually remove the pests as you see them with a cloth. To deal with an invasive pest problem, you can use neem oil which is a natural insecticide that won't harm the plant. Make sure not to overuse neem oil as too much of it can be toxic for the Boston ivy. It is also best to spray the ivy in the morning so that any trace of oil will have dissipated by night time.

Boston Ivy should be replanted every 3-4 years or when it has outgrown its container. Repotting is best done in the springtime right before the growth season begins. To repot, remove it from the container and check for any dead or rotting roots before repotting into a slightly larger size. Use a slow-release fertilizer during repotting to provide your ivy with adequate nutrients.

Pruning Boston Ivy is essential for keeping it maintained; this can be done throughout the year but try to stay away from the wintertime when the plant is in its dormant period. All you need to do when pruning the ivy is to cut out any dead branches or trailing arms of the plant. It can also help to prune regularly in order to maintain a desirable shape to the ivy.

Mulching is another important task when tending to your Boston Ivy. Place a layer of mulch around the planting site to help retain soil moisture and keep roots cool. Doing this will also help to prevent soil erosion and control weed growth. Organic mulch such as wood chips or composted leaves should work for this purpose.

Boston Ivy is easily propagated via cuttings or layering. Cuttings can be taken from the vine in late summer or early autumn and rooted in moist soil or potting mix. Place the cutting in a warm spot, such as in a propagator or a heavy-weight plastic bag, and wait for roots to grow. Layering involves creating a layering underneath the soil and waiting for the cutting to take root. Both of these are simple ways to create new plants.

Boston Ivy also needs some form of support in order to climb. If given a trellis or fence, it will use its tendrils to attach itself and climb up. If you want it to gradually climb walls or other surfaces, you can use a heavy-gauge wire mesh to clip it in place. As it climbs, the branches can be tied or clipped in place for support. If necessary, you can clip the Ivy in order to promote a specific shape for the wall-climbing treatment.

Boston Ivy requires a rest period in the winter time of at least 8-12 weeks when temperatures are consistently below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. In this time, it is normal for the Ivy to drop its leaves and remain dormant until the growth season begins in the springtime. During this time, it should only be watered minimally and no new growth should be expected.

Boston Ivy is non-toxic and safe for pets, so there should be no worries if your pet decides to snack on this plant. It is best to monitor your pet around the Ivy just in case if it decides to chew on the leaves, however, as doing so could result in an upset stomach.