Overwintering guide
How to overwinter irish ivy
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills irish ivy in winter
Cutting irish ivy hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More irish ivy care
Overwintering irish ivy — FAQ
Does irish ivy need to come indoors for winter?
Irish Ivy is hardy to roughly USDA zone 5 — winter lows around -29°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Irish Ivy is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move irish ivy for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water irish ivy in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills irish ivy over winter?
Cutting irish ivy hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.