How to Replant Ivy

Ivies appear as three species of evergreen vines with distinct foliage. Hedera colchica, the Persian ivy, with 10-inch-long leaves has the largest leaves. Hedera canariensis, or Algerian ivy, produces glossy foliage half the size of Persian ivy's. The leaves on Hedera helix, known as English ivy, have pronounced triangular lobes like maple leaves. Ivies grow outdoors when the climate allows. They also adapt to container culture with adequate care. Replant house ivies that become too dense, dry too quickly or whose roots start growing in circles around the pot.

Pot with drainage holes
Potting soil
Compost
Shears
Knife

Instructions

- 1
  Get a new pot no more than 1 inch larger than the ivy's current planter. Select a container with drainage holes.
- 2
  Add store-bought potting mix to the bottom of the planter. Choose a soil blend amended with organic matter or mix it with compost. That gives the ivy a fertile and well-aerated environment.
- 3
  Place the potted ivy on its side. Ease it out of the planter. Cut the stems back to a manageable length if it seems it can make replanting easier. Ivies recover quickly from hard pruning.
- 4
  Insert a knife 1 inch into the root ball at the top if the roots are growing in circles. Slash the mass vertically to free the roots. Repeat this step two or three more times around the root ball.
- 5
  Place the ivy in the new pot. Add or remove potting mix from the bottom as needed to position the plant at the same depth as it has been growing. Finish filling the planter with soil to 1/4 inch from the rim.
- 6
  Irrigate the ivy at planting until excess water flows out of the drainage holes. Water the plant again after the top 1/2 inch of soil dries up.

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