How to get rid of Ivy?

by David
(Los Angeles, CA.)

How do I get rid of Ivy? Is there a spray like roundup? Roundup doesn't seem to be that efficient.


Doug says you don't say how much you're trying to get rid of. If it's a single plant, then cutting the main stem and preventing that stem from growing again is the single best way. Quick and easy - it's something I'm doing with a few weed ivies in my back area. Every week I go out and spend 10 minutes chopping back any shoots from the main roots. It will eventually (this summer) weaken and kill the plants.

In terms of sprays, most large swathes of ivy will not be killed by normal applications of Roundup. There are too many root nodes there.

You can "burn" the leaves with an organic herbicide spray containing acetic acid - that will defoliate the plant. When it regrows (and it will) you spray again. You'll have to repeat this several times but eventually the ivy will die out because the roots will run out of energy.