Garden Care Guide

English Ivy Care

Hedera helix

An extremely hardy, adaptable and fast-growing evergreen vine. It is considered an invasive species in many regions; because it can damage buildings, trees and native ecosystems, planting it should be considered carefully and it must be kept under control with constant pruning.

Hardy · -20 °C / -4 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Not required, natural rainfall is sufficient.
  • Pruning: Pruning can be done to keep the plant under control, shape it, or reduce its size.
  • Plant protection: Applying dormant oil (mineral oil) to control scale insects can be considered.
  • General care: Clear fallen leaves.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for scale insects on branches. No frost protection is needed; it is very hardy.
February
  • Pruning: Before spring growth begins is the ideal time to do a hard pruning to bring the plant's spread under control.
  • General care: Clear weeds.
  • Pests & diseases: Observe. Frost protection is not needed.
March
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
  • Pruning: Prune just before the shoots break. Because flowers form on this year's new shoots, hard pruning increases flowering. Cut back overgrowth in early spring; this provides shaping and fullness. Do not prune after autumn; the last growth is not frost hardy.
  • Plant protection: Check the new shoots for aphids.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch out for aphids and fungal leaf spot diseases in humid conditions.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: Regular pruning is essential to prevent its spread. Prevent it from climbing over buildings and other plants.
  • Plant protection: If aphids are seen, apply neem oil or a suitable insecticide.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Pruning: Continue pruning to prevent uncontrolled spread.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
  • Pruning: Do not lose control of it; cut shoots reaching into unwanted places.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves. Check the undersides of the leaves for whitefly clusters. A yellow sticky trap is the easiest way to monitor density.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
  • Pruning: Continue pruning, if needed.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
  • Pests & diseases: In hot and dry weather, look on the undersides of the leaves for fine webbing and speckled yellowing (spider mites). Washing the leaves during the cool hours reduces their numbers. Check the undersides of the leaves for clusters of whiteflies. A yellow sticky trap is the easiest way to monitor their numbers.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
  • Pruning: Continue pruning, if needed.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • Pests & diseases: In hot and dry weather, look on the undersides of the leaves for fine webbing and speckled yellowing (spider mites). Washing the leaves during the cool hours reduces their numbers. Check the undersides of the leaves for clusters of whiteflies. A yellow sticky trap is the easiest way to monitor their numbers.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: A final check pruning can be done before autumn.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering begins.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering continues.
November
  • General care: Flowering continues.
December
  • Pruning: While the plant is dormant, this is a good time to clear unwanted growth and control its spread.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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