Here’s the dirty little secret: ivy is a comeback king. You will think you’ve won. You’ll high-five yourself. Then, two weeks later, a tiny green shoot will pop up like it’s mocking you. Don’t fall for it.
You need to monitor the area for at least six months. Every time you see a new leaf, pluck it. Tear it out. Burn it in effigy (okay, maybe just toss it in the trash). The root system has a memory like an elephant.
Consider planting a ground cover in the area once the ivy is gone. Something dense and assertive—like creeping phlox or pachysandra. They’ll crowd out any stubborn ivy seedlings. It’s like hiring bouncers for your garden.
What About Ivy on Trees? (A Big, Swallowy Problem)
If ivy has climbed your beloved oak tree, do not pull the vines off the bark. You’ll rip the tree’s skin, and then you’ll have two problems: a sad tree and guilt. Instead, cut the ivy vines at the base of the tree trunk.
How to ‘forever’ get rid of English ivy from gardens using this tested
Make a clean cut all the way around the trunk. The ivy above will die, dry, and eventually fall off on its own. This is the gentler option. The tree will thank you by not dropping a branch on your car.
Ignore the urge to yank. Patience, grasshopper. The ivy will crumble like a bad relationship over time.
