Skip to Content

How Long For Ivy to Cover A Fence?

If you are interested in finding out more about ivy and how long it takes to cover a fence, this is the right article for you.

Close up of light wooden fence with green ivy growing on it

While there are many benefits to putting a fence in your yard, it may not be the most appealing to see. Adding ivy to your fence is a great way to improve the way it looks, especially if it is a chain link fence. However, you may be wondering how long it takes ivy plants to cover your fence. 

As a general rule, all types of ivy grow at different speeds. However, the rate at which the ivy grows depends on several factors. These factors include the type of ivy, growing conditions, water, light, temperature, and soil conditions. 

If you are interested in finding out more about ivy and how long it takes to cover a fence, this is the right article for you. We will discuss different types of ivy vines and what helps them grow. 

Fasting Growing Ivy For Fence

Concrete wall with green ivy with purple flowers growing on it

When looking for the fastest-growing ivy for your fence, you have a few options. The Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is an excellent ivy plant for fences because it is not invasive. It looks similar to other types of ivy due to its leave with five lobes and colored veins. It has leaves of deep green and berries. It enjoys full sunlight and soil that drains well. 

Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) also grows quickly and climbs buildings and wooden fences well. It can grow as high as 50 to 60 feet. It does well in shade or sunlight. Boston ivy grows in any type of soil. The leaves change colors through the seasons. They are deep green in summer, orange or purple in the fall, and bronze in the spring. Its berries survive through the winter. 

Another fast-growing option is English ivy (Hedera helix). The English ivy plant prefers rich soil. You must keep soil moist, similar to what is found in the woods. It grows in full shade or full sun. It can quickly become invasive if you do not train ivy. This ivy plant has leaves that are two to four inches. These ivy plants can have three to five lobes, and the veins are white or yellow green. 

Fast Growing Evergreen Vines 

Brown metal gate. lots of green trees, ivy growing on gate, sun shining

Evergreen vines allow your fence to look beautiful all year long. They stay green in the winter bringing attention to your garden. In the summer, they can act as a backdrop to your plants and flowers. There are a number of different evergreen vines that grow quickly on chain link fences. 

Persian Ivy

Close up of Persian Ivy

Persian ivy (Hedera colchica) is a heart-shaped ivy vine that is beautiful when displayed vertically. It is commonly referred to as My Heart. The vine easily covers a fence which it clings to with its rootlets. Its leaves may appear as a green, white color or have yellow flowers. Unfortunately, the ivy plant is toxic to horses and pets. 

Creeping Fig 

Close up of a Creeping Fig vine with green leaves growing on an orange colored concrete wall

Creeping fig (Ficus pumila) is also called fig ivy, creeping ficus, or climbing fig. It is a prevalent ivy for covering walls and a wooden fence in warmer areas. Many people have them as house plants in cooler places. Creeping fig prefers full or partial shade. It grows best in soil that drains well. It requires regular watering, as much as two inches per week. 

As creeping fig ages, it does require pruning. It begins to look old. When it attaches to a fence or wall, it can be difficult to remove. It requires a good amount of care. 

Star Jasmine

Blue sky with a few white clouds, chain link fence with old wooden fence posts, star jasmine vines with white flowers growing on fence

The Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum Jasminoides) vine is a popular vine in the U.S. it grows vertically on a fence or trellis or spread across the ground. These climbing vines prefers to climb vertically in an attempt to get closer to sunlight. This vine is fragrant and attractive to bees.

It is best when Star Jasmine is planted in the spring. It takes a year to establish itself but then grows quickly at about 3 to 6 feet per year. The first year is spent creating a strong root system, and not much significant growth appears above ground. 

Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium Sempervirens)

Close up of white picket fence with Carolina Jessamine with large green leaves growing on fence, old metal fan like pinwheel in front of fence

Carolina Jessamine can climb up and over just about anything it can twist its stem around. This includes fences, trellises, and trees. The stems can grow over 20 feet long. The leaves are glossy and green and remain that way all year long. They densely cover the structure that supports them. 

The vines of the Carolina Jessamine have fragrant yellow flowers clustered on them during the late winter and spring. These vines prefer a lot of sun with some shade. If it lives in partial shade, it will have a much slower growth speed. It also likes a fertile soil that drains well

Fast Growing Perennial Vines 

Garden area with white picket fence and tall archway with orange colored flowered trumpet vines growing over archway, light post in the ground at the entry, red brick pavers for walkway

There are some excellent perennial vines for fences that grow quickly. 

Dutchman’s Pipe 

Close up of a deep green, large leafed Dutchman's Pipe Vine

The Dutchman’s Pipe vine (Aristolochia macrophylla) has a distinct look because it has flowers that look like curved pipes and leaves that are heart-shaped. The flowers, which appear in late spring, have an odd smell to attract pollinating flies. The leaves alternate along the woody stem. 

The vine can grow as long as 25 feet when the conditions are ideal. The Dutchman’s Pipe needs a vertical structure like a fence or trellis for support. 

Trumpet Vine 

White and black fence with red flowered trumpet vine growing on it, sun reflectiong off vines

The Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans), also called the trumpet creeper, is a perennial vine that grows fast. They are easy to grow with proper pruning and care. However, if left on their own, they can easily become invasive. The flowers are attractive to hummingbirds. 

The flowers of the Trumpet vine are yellow, orange, or red tube-like flowers. The flowers bloom through the summer through the fall. However, the flowers bloom best in shady areas. The vines are strong enough to withstand winter. The vines grow to about 30 to 40 feet long in just one season. 

Clematis 

Metal fence with bright pink flowered Clematis Vine growing on it, trees in the background, sun reflecting off flowers

The Clematis vine is among one of the most popular flowering vines because of its beauty. However, there are significant variations in the vine. The flowers take different forms and have varying colors. Many of them bloom between early spring and fall, but they all bloom at different times. Because each one is a little different, they each require slightly different care. 

In general, the Clematis wants at least six hours of sunlight. In addition, they want their roots to stay moist and cool. The vines can grow anywhere between two to five feet high.

Climbing Hydrangea 

Goorgeous sunsetting sky, mountais in the background, brown wooden picket fence with Climbing Hydrangea with large white and pink flowers growing all around

The Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris) vine has large white flowers that are clustered and bloom in late spring and summer. Its leaves are heart-shaped and dark green. These vines climb trees, fences, and structures easily and quickly. They can grow to 30 to 80 feet tall. 

The Climbing Hydrangea also tolerated when you prune it to shorter lengths. It can also be grown as a shrub. It has substantial and heavy vines that require a significant amount of support. It has clusters of small flowers surrounded by a ring of larger flowers. 

Honeysuckle 

Close up of a fence post with a pink flowered honeysuckle vine groing on it

Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) vines tolerate heat well and are attractive in any garden or yard. They have an easily recognized scent and taste like sweet nectar. The honeysuckle vine has blossoms that are yellow to red. There are more than 180 varieties of honeysuckle. Some are evergreens that grow in warmer regions. They are easy to care for and grow. 

A honeysuckle vine prefers full sunlight but can survive with a small amount of shade. The honeysuckle can tolerate all types of soil but grows best in well-draining soil. Honeysuckle grows well on the ground but also grows vertical with support from a fence or trellis.