When Does Ivy Bloom? Detailed Guide to Cuttings and Medicinal Value

Ivy is a perennial evergreen climbing shrub of the genus Hedera in the Araliaceae family. Its leaves are beautiful and it stays green all year round. It is often used for vertical greening in various places in the south. So, when does ivy generally bloom? How do you take cuttings? What medicinal value does it have?

1. When does ivy bloom?

Ivy blooms from September to November, and its fruit ripens from March to May of the following year. Ivy is mostly planted beside rockeries and at the base of walls, allowing it to naturally attach and grow vertically or as ground cover, achieving a decorative and environment-beautifying effect. When grown in pots, small and medium pots are mainly used, and various shapes can be created for indoor display.

2. How do you take ivy cuttings?

Ivy stems and vines root easily, so cutting propagation is usually used. Under greenhouse cultivation conditions, cuttings can be taken throughout the year. For home propagation, spring from April to May and autumn from August to September are generally the best times for taking cuttings.

When taking cuttings, use loose, well-aerated, well-drained sandy soil as the substrate. For hardwood cuttings in spring, cut sturdy woody branches from the plant into 15-20 cm long cuttings, leaving 2-3 leaves at the upper end. After planting, keep the soil moist and place them under side shade, and they will root very quickly. For softwood cuttings in autumn, use semi-woody young branches cut into 15-20 cm long cuttings containing 3-4 nodes with aerial roots. After planting, provide shade and keep the soil moist regularly. Generally, they will root and survive 20-30 days after planting.

3. What medicinal value does ivy have?

1. Treating joint aches: 10 grams of ivy, decocted with half wine and half water; at the same time, use an appropriate amount of ivy, decoct in water to wash the affected area.

2. Treating postpartum headache from wind exposure: 10 grams of ivy, stir-fried with yellow rice wine, add 7 red dates, decoct in water, and take after meals.

3. Treating traumatic injuries: 60 grams of ivy, soaked in 250 grams of white liquor, taken after 7-10 days, 10-20 milliliters each time, 3 times a day, or ground into fine powder and mixed with wine to apply to the affected area.

4. Treating boils and carbuncles: 60 grams of fresh ivy, decocted in water and taken orally; separately, use an appropriate amount of fresh ivy, pound it into a paste, add a little sugar and sorghum liquor, and apply externally to the affected area.