Climbing Ivys That Love the Sun

Growth Habit

• English and Boston ivies grow either prostrate as a groundcover or vertically as a climbing vine. When light is dim or there's no vertical support for stems to grow upward, the plants sprawl horizontally. Tree trunks, fences and building facades all provide a means for English and Boston ivies to climb upward. They do not have clasping grapevine-like tendrils but padlike fasteners known as holdfasts that fuse the plant onto the vertical surface. Access to sun rays encourages further upward growth so stem tips and leaves finally receive direct rays for the greatest photosynthesis.

Light Exposure

• All of the numerous cultivars of English and Boston ivies grow successfully in full sun to partial shade conditions. The more, brighter light, the better. However, when long exposure to direct sun rays creates a hot growing environment, with hot, drying air or hot, dry soils, too much sunlight limits growth. In hot summer regions, or in areas where summer heat is accompanied by drought, growing these ivies in partial sun to partial shade is better. Morning sunlight is better than direct sun in the heat of the afternoon. Variegated cultivars, those with creamy white or yellow leaf edges or blotches, are also best kept out of all-day sun as it can bleach the leaves or cause brown dried tips.

Soil Insight

• All ivy plants tolerate and excel in lots of sunlight if the soil conditions are ideal. A slightly acidic soil that is porous and well drained by being kept constantly and evenly moist is best. Adding organic matter to the soil increases drainage, fertility and helps maintain a more even moisture level. When growing ivy, if the soil has these conditions, the plants will tolerate full sun and heat much better than if the soil is infertile, compacted, hot and dry. In full sun and windier conditions, a moist, fertile soil slows the rate of leaf tissue warming and drying.

Placement Challenges

• When growing English ivy as a houseplant, provide as much bright light as possible, including some direct sun rays from nearby windows. Do not over-water houseplant ivies, creating a soggy, root-suffocating soil. Outdoors, establishing a new ivy plant in the sunny garden is easier if other plants do not compete for the same light and soil resources. Planting an English or Boston ivy too close to large trees leads to dry soil conditions as the larger, more water-absorbing tree roots put the newly planted ivy at a disadvantage. Irrigation is needed to ensure the ivy establishes. If your garden soil is naturally sandy or compacted, getting the ivy to grow after planting is more challenging, too. Amend the soils with organic matter and mulch the soil surface to conserve moisture, add nutrients and keep soil temperatures moderated. Ivy planted on a south- or east-facing building facade may grow better than the hotter conditions that occur on the west-facing wall.