How to Cut Back a Leggy Ivy Houseplant

Examine the vines and foliage closely to determine the amount of trimming your ivy plant needs to return to healthy growth. Start at the growing tip, and work your way back to the base of the plant. Long stretches of more than an inch between sets of leaves indicate your vine needs care.

Clip the vine at the point where the space between leaves begins to elongate. The amount of vine you trim does not matter and will not harm the plant. The object is to trim the plant back to the point where normal growth appears. Make the cut with scissors or a knife just in front of the leaves you intend to leave on the plant. Cut the entire plant back to a height of 3 to 4 inches if the entire plant is leggy and spindly.

Water your ivy until water runs freely through the bottom of the pot and the soil is evenly moist. Move the plant to bright, indirect light. A northern and eastern window works well, but with some filtering, a southern window can be used.

Water the ivy whenever the soil feels dry 1 inch below the surface. Watch for new growth to appear within a week or two. Vigorous growth often resumes within a few weeks.