Ivy is one of the most recognisable plants in the UK, covering walls, fences, trees and even the ground in many gardens. With its glossy green leaves and vigorous growth, ivy has a reputation as both an attractive climbing plant and a nuisance invader. While some gardeners value its evergreen qualities for providing year round cover and shelter for wildlife, others see it as a destructive force that damages brickwork, strangles trees and overwhelms flowerbeds. For those in the second camp, a pressing question arises. How do you kill ivy plants effectively and safely, without allowing them to grow back?
Understanding ivy plants
To tackle ivy successfully, it helps to understand how the plant grows. The most common type in the UK is Hedera helix, often referred to as English ivy. It is a woody perennial climber that clings to surfaces using aerial rootlets. These roots secrete a glue like substance that allows ivy to attach firmly to walls and trees. Ivy spreads quickly both above and below ground. Its stems can root at the nodes wherever they touch soil, creating new plants, while its vigorous growth allows it to climb to great heights if unchecked. Its resilience makes it a challenge to eradicate once it has become established.
Why ivy can be a problem
Although ivy provides food and shelter for birds and insects, it can create serious issues in gardens and landscapes. On buildings, ivy can damage mortar, lift roof tiles and block gutters. On trees, heavy growth can shade out leaves, weaken branches and add significant weight that makes trees more vulnerable to storms. In borders, ivy can smother shrubs, perennials and even lawns, competing for light and nutrients until little else survives. These aggressive qualities are the reason many gardeners wish to remove ivy completely.
Physical removal of ivy
The most straightforward way to kill ivy is through physical removal. This involves cutting the main stems at the base and pulling the growth away from its support. Cutting through the thick woody stems near ground level severs the plant from its roots, preventing nutrients and water from reaching the upper growth. The leaves and stems above will then wither and die. However, dead ivy does not fall away instantly and often needs to be pulled from walls or trees by hand. Care must be taken to avoid damaging underlying surfaces, especially old brickwork where mortar may already be weak.
Digging out the roots
Simply cutting ivy at the base is rarely enough, as the roots will send out new shoots. To achieve permanent removal, the roots must also be dug out. This can be a laborious process, as ivy roots are strong and often spread widely underground. A spade or fork is useful for prising them from the soil, though persistence is needed to remove every last fragment. Even small sections left behind can re sprout. In garden borders, the soil may need to be turned and sifted to ensure no pieces remain. Over time, repeated weeding of any regrowth ensures the ivy eventually exhausts itself.
Smothering ivy growth
Another non chemical method of killing ivy is smothering. If the ivy is growing on the ground, cutting it back and then covering the area with a heavy mulch or light excluding material such as thick cardboard, black plastic or landscape fabric can starve it of light. Without light, ivy cannot photosynthesise and will gradually die off. This method takes time, often several months or even a year, and works best when combined with digging out roots. However, it can be effective in garden beds where digging is impractical or where a chemical free approach is preferred.
Chemical control of ivy
For larger infestations, chemical control may be considered. Glyphosate based weed killers are commonly used, as they are systemic and travel through the plant to kill roots as well as foliage. To use these effectively, the ivy should first be cut back to expose young, healthy leaves, as older leaves are more resistant. The chemical is then applied to the fresh growth, either by spraying or by painting it directly onto the leaves. Absorption is slower in ivy than in some other plants, so it may take several weeks for results to show. Repeat applications are often necessary.
Targeted stem treatment
Another chemical technique involves cutting thick ivy stems near the base and applying a concentrated herbicide directly to the cut surface. This method allows the chemical to penetrate directly into the plant’s vascular system, reducing the amount needed and limiting damage to nearby plants. It is particularly effective when dealing with ivy growing up trees, where spraying the foliage might harm the tree itself. However, caution is needed when using any herbicide, and protective measures should always be taken to prevent skin contact or contamination of soil and water.
Killing ivy on walls and fences
Ivy growing on walls presents a specific challenge. While cutting and pulling the growth away is effective, care must be taken not to pull away mortar or paint. Old walls with weakened pointing are particularly vulnerable. In such cases, it may be safer to cut the ivy at the base and allow the upper growth to die before attempting removal. Once dead, the aerial roots become brittle and easier to brush away. However, even when the ivy is removed, the tiny rootlets may leave marks on walls, which may require cleaning or repainting.
Dealing with ivy on trees
When ivy grows on trees, its weight and shading effect can be harmful, especially to younger or weaker trees. To kill ivy without damaging the tree, the stems should be cut at the base all around the trunk, creating a gap or collar of dead space. The ivy above will then gradually wither and die, falling away over time. It is important not to strip ivy directly from the bark, as this can damage the tree. For very large infestations, professional help may be required to manage both the ivy and the health of the tree.
Preventing regrowth
Once ivy has been removed, preventing regrowth is the next challenge. Ivy seeds are spread by birds, and any roots left in the soil can quickly sprout again. Regular monitoring of the area is essential, especially in the first year after removal. Any small shoots that appear should be pulled out promptly before they become established. Improving the area with other plantings can also reduce the likelihood of ivy returning, as bare soil provides an open invitation for it to spread again.
Benefits of complete eradication
While ivy can be attractive in some situations, complete eradication provides several benefits. Garden walls and fences remain intact without the risk of mortar being damaged. Trees are protected from the weight and competition of climbing growth. Flowerbeds and borders are freed from the smothering effect, allowing other plants to flourish. By removing ivy entirely, gardeners gain greater control over the appearance and health of their spaces. The effort involved in eradication is considerable, but the long-term rewards are significant.
When ivy should be kept
It is worth noting that ivy does have ecological value, and in some cases, killing it may not be the best option. Ivy flowers late in the season, providing nectar for pollinators such as bees when few other plants are in bloom. Its berries feed birds through the winter, and its dense foliage offers nesting sites. For this reason, some gardeners choose to manage ivy rather than eradicate it completely, restricting it to specific areas where it can grow without causing harm. The decision depends on the balance between ecological benefits and practical concerns.
Conclusion
So, how do you kill ivy plants? Success requires persistence, whether through physical removal, smothering or chemical treatments. Cutting ivy at the base severs its lifeline, while digging out roots prevents regrowth. Smothering works overtime by denying light, while targeted herbicide use can provide quicker results for large infestations. Special care is needed when ivy grows on walls or trees to avoid causing damage. Once removed, vigilance is essential to prevent it from returning. Although ivy has ecological benefits, for many gardeners the risks it poses to buildings, trees and borders outweigh these advantages, making eradication the best option. With determination and careful methods, ivy can be brought under control, restoring balance and beauty to gardens.
