How to Get Ivy Up a Brick Wall

Wait until the spring and look at the desired brick wall to ensure that it receives partial sunlight exposure or full shade, since ivy does not thrive in full sun. The soil should be damp, but not soggy, and consist mostly of dark, rich loam.

Spread a 1- or 2-inch layer of compost over the entire length of the wall to enrich the soil. Till it into the top 6 inches of the soil using a garden tiller.

Set the ivy plant pots along the wall, spacing them between 12 and 18 inches apart. Turn on a garden hose and water each of the pots until the soil is completely saturated, which helps the plants transplant without experiencing shock.

Prune the tops of all ivy plants back to only 6 inches using hand pruners.

Dig holes 3 to 4 inches away from the wall using a shovel. Make the holes the same size as the ivy pots. Alternatively, you can dig a single trench along the wall.

Remove an ivy plant from its pot and place it into the hole with the green vine portion above the ground. Fill in soil around the vine until the base of the plant stands upright. Repeat the planting process with the remaining ivy plants along the entire length of the wall.

Water the soil around the ivy plants with the hose until it is damp to a 4- or 5-inch depth. Afterward, keep the soil damp, but not soggy, to encourage new growth.

Wait until four months after planting to begin applying a 10-10-10 fertilizer to the soil every other month from spring until fall to encourage growth. Use the fertilizer dosage indicated on the package for your size planting area.

Monitor the growth of the ivy vines, which will naturally cling to the wall as they grow. Prune the tips of the vines back by 4 to 5 inches at least twice per year using hand pruners to encourage additional growth.