If you want to avoid harsh chemicals (and honestly, who wants to buy a bottle of something that sounds like it belongs in a lab?), grab some white vinegar from your pantry. It’s not a miracle worker, but it’s a fantastic helper. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and douse the ivy leaves on a sunny day. The vinegar strips the waxy coating on the leaves, causing them to dry out and die.
Just be careful: vinegar doesn’t discriminate. It will also kill your petunias, your grass, and that nice shrub you planted last spring. Think of it like giving a haircut to a toddler—you need to be precise and keep it away from the good parts. I once sprayed a little too enthusiastically and ended up with a brown circle in my lawn that looked like a crop circle. So aim well, or cover your other plants with a cloth first.
Will Bleach Kill Poison Ivy How To Get Rid Of Poison Ivy Plants The
Pro Tip: Boiling Water for the Stubborn Spots
For ivy growing in between cracks in your patio or driveway, boiling water is your best friend. It’s like giving the ivy a very intense, very final hot bath. Boil a kettle, walk outside, and pour it directly over the ivy. It will cook the roots and kill the plant instantly. I did this to a clump growing by my mailbox, and the next day, it was crispy and lifeless. It’s cheap, it’s effective, and it makes you feel like a mad scientist in your own backyard.
