Shall we pull out the ivy that grows on the houses?

Often loved for its attractive green color, ivy can quickly become invasive and cause damage to walls and roofs.

Ivy, an invasive plant?

Ivy (Hedera Helix) can indeed be considered an invasive plant.

Although it has many benefits such as insulation, facade protection and biodiversity conservation, ivy can cause problems. Its rapid growth, which can reach up to fifty centimeters per year, and the ability to climb up to fifteen meters high make it a plant that can quickly become invasive.

In fact, it can be difficult to get rid of once it grows on the wall. In addition, without proper care, ivy can spread quickly and damage masonry, gutters and tiles.

Should you keep or remove the ivy?

In the garden, ivy contributes to biodiversity by providing shelter and food for many insects and birds. And what about the walls of houses?

On the one hand, its advantages in terms of insulation, protection of facades and habitat for animals are praised. On the other hand, its disadvantages such as potential structural damage and invasiveness should not be ignored.

Benefits of ivy

Ivy has several significant benefits when left to grow on the walls of our homes:

• It acts as a natural insulator and helps regulate the temperature inside buildings by providing shade in the summer and retaining warmth in the winter
• Climbing ivy is able to absorb a significant amount of air pollutants. It helps improve air quality, especially in cities.
• Its cats absorb moisture: ivy can therefore have a beneficial effect on damp walls.
• Its decorative evergreen dark green foliage beautifies facades all year round.
• As an ornamental plant, it can mask unattractive buildings.
• In addition, ivy is a robust climbing plant that requires little maintenance once established. It is drought tolerant and thrives in all weather conditions.

Disadvantages of ivy

However, ivy can also have significant disadvantages if it is not contained:

• It can cause structural damage by lifting tiles or seeping into masonry, especially if your wall has cracks.
• It is a massive plant that can clog gutters.
• It damages the coating and leaves marks on brick, stone or wooden walls.
• Its leaves and fruits are toxic.
• Ivy leaves are a real nest for insects in early spring: spiders, bees, flies and midges, butterflies, beetles, etc. It can also accommodate wasp nests.

How to get rid of it?

There are several methods you can use to get rid of ivy naturally. Don’t forget to put on gloves before you start: ivy is a nest for insects and you could get stung or scratched. The first way is to cut ivy cuttings with pruning shears and sprinkle salt on the part that is in contact with the ground. The top part of the ivy will dry and you can then easily remove it.

You can also cut and remove ivy vines by hand. To make this operation easier, water the vine beforehand with a garden hose to soften the cramped roots. Next, cut off the main vine at the base and gently pull away the secondary stems. Also, remove underground roots to prevent regrowth of ivy by digging with a shovel.

Another option is natural weed killers such as white vinegar or salt. However, these methods can have disadvantages: soil acidification, groundwater pollution, etc. Use them carefully and sparingly.

Ivy is a very hardy plant that offers physical protection against moisture and significant thermal insulation to the walls of houses in good condition. However, once its growth becomes excessive, measures must be taken to stop it. To keep it under control, regular maintenance and proper pruning is essential, preferably in the fall.