Ivy can look beautiful cascading over a wall or scrambling through a garden, but this vigorous climber can cause serious problems if left unchecked.

Can ivy damage your house?

Yes! Ivy’s aggressive growth and aerial roots allow it to cling tightly to surfaces; quickly climbing walls, weighing down fences and even creeping under roof tiles.

On well-maintained brickwork, ivy isn’t likely to cause major damage. However, if the mortar is already cracked, loose or crumbly, ivy can work its way into gaps and make existing problems worse. Older ivy’s thick, woody stems are heavy and can weigh-down fences and block drains, so it’s important to monitor the growth of this fast-growing plant.

Its dense growth can also make it harder to spot damp, cracks or other maintenance issues on the outside of your house. It can also easily become tangled in wires and cables!

What impact can it have on your garden?

Ivy can cause major headaches in the garden. Left to spread across the ground, stems can root easily and form a dense carpet that will smother your grass and other low-growing plants by blocking light. It can quickly spread, particularly in shady areas where lawns may already struggle, and even create hiding places for pests like mice and rats.

It also blocks light and can steal resources from other plants, and as with fences, it can weigh them down and cause issues.

How to deal with unwanted ivy

Don’t simply pull established ivy from a wall. You could bring away loose mortar or damage the surface. Instead:

• Cut the main stems close to the ground and carefully remove the detached growth once it has died back.
• Dig out the roots where practical, taking care to remove as much of the root system as possible.
• Keep an eye out for regrowth. Ivy is persistent, so new shoots may need to be removed several times.
• On lawns, remove trailing stems and roots, then repair bare patches with grass seed or turf.
• Check walls regularly for cracks or loose mortar before allowing ivy to climb over them.

Ivy can have its place, but it’s a plant that benefits from boundaries. Give it a little room and keep it under control, rather than letting it take over.

Need help with your ivy problem? Get in touch today!