How to grow and care for Boston ivy?

Boston ivy belongs to the grape family and is quite popular among gardening enthusiasts, known for its lush green leaves that often turn red during the autumn season, making the landscape look more alluring. These plants are used for the purpose of decorating walls or fences. Also known as Japanese creeper, it is a good choice when it comes to planting vines in your garden as it can make your garden wall look more appealing and its red leaves add a touch of color to an otherwise dull space during the autumn season. To top it up, Boston ivy is a low maintenance plant which also helps prevent soil erosion. Growing Boston ivy has numerous benefits, and if you are planning to enhance the visual appeal of your garden, this vine can help you in doing so while also serving the purpose of a natural privacy screen. 

Boston ivy can even survive harsh weather conditions and in this article, we are going to discuss how to grow and take care of the plant without any professional help.

 

Boston ivy: Key facts

Scientific name	Parthenocissus Tricuspidata
Plant type	Vine
Native area	East Asia
Toxicity	Highly toxic
Dimensions	30 to 50 feet on full growth
Growth requirements	Slightly acidic soil, partial sun exposure

 

How to grow Boston ivy

Growing a Boston ivy is quite an easy and straightforward process. The plant grows well in well-drained soil, so the first step would be finding a spot that has well-drained soil and receives a good amount of sunlight throughout the day. 

If you want to grow the plant from seeds, you can collect them from the ripe berries that the plant bears and then store them in the refrigerator with some sand for a couple of months to simulate the natural cycle of the plant. During early spring, you can plant these seeds in your garden. If you are growing several Boston ivy plants, you should provide proper spacing in between them i.e. 18 to 24 inches to ensure proper growth. 

The pH of the garden soil should be slightly acidic or neutral while you can also add organic compost in order to improve the fertility of the soil and promote rapid and healthy plant growth. 

See also: Should you grow English ivy in your garden?

 

Caring for Boston ivy

While Boston ivy is a relatively low maintenance plant, here’s how you can take care of the plant in order to promote better growth:

Watering regularly

Once you have planted Boston ivy, you should regularly water it, keeping the soil moist during the initial days of growth. It is important to not let the soil dry out as the plant can die. 

Adding a layer of mulch

Adding a layer of mulch to the soil has several benefits, from retaining the soil’s moisture and regulating its temperature, to suppressing weeds so that the plant gets all the nutrients. 

Fertilising 

While Boston ivy does not require excessive fertiliser to grow well, you can add a limited amount of a well-balanced fertiliser to provide the necessary nutrients to the plant. It should be added right before the spring season and if you are not sure about the amount, you can refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Pruning 

Pruning should be done in early spring or as the winter season comes to an end. You can either use pruning shears or scissors to remove all the unwanted growth. Since Boston ivy is a vine, you should regularly prune its branches as the wandering branches often make it hard for the plant to climb up the surface. 

Pest control

You can keep a close look on the plant and regularly check for pests and use pesticides or insecticidal soap in order to keep them away. Besides this, you should also keep a check on fungal diseases on leaves and remove those leaves immediately. 

Add a support structure

Boston ivy requires support to grow and you can use a fence or trellis to help them grow. While the plant can also climb naturally, it would require support during the first growing season. 

See also: Decorating house with climbing plants

 

Toxicity 

Boston ivy is not really toxic to humans or pets, it can cause mild irritation or allergic reactions in some people. It should not be ingested and one should contact a doctor in case their skin gets irritated when it comes in contact with the plant. 

 

FAQs

Is Boston ivy harmful?

Boston ivy is really harmful for humans and animals and it should not be ingested at any cost. If you have pets or toddlers, you should keep the plant away from their reach.

Should I choose Boston ivy or English ivy?

Boston ivy is a better choice due to its lush green leaves that turn red during autumn and add a colorful touch to your garden.

What is Boston ivy good for?

Boston Ivy is often used for decorating walls. It can also add a layer of privacy with an aesthetically pleasing touch.

How long does it take for Boston ivy to grow?

Boston ivy can fully grow in five or more years. The vine is known for its rapid growth as it grows up to 30 feet in such a short span of time.

Is there any disadvantage to growing Boston ivy?

The only disadvantage of growing Boston ivy is that it sheds its leaves in winters while it shows thick foliage in autumn season.

Can I grow Boston ivy in shade?

Boston Ivy is a low maintenance plant and it can thrive under shade as well. However, sunlight does promote better growth and a beautiful foliage.

Can Boston ivy damage brick walls?

No, Boston ivy is often used for ornamental purposes i.e. to decorate walls, it does not damage them.

Can Boston ivy climb wood?

Yes, Boston ivy can easily climb wood as it has adhesive pads that stick to the surface and provide support.

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com