Managing and training a house covered in vines

Love the look but don’t want to ruin it? Learn how to create a vine-covered wall without it cracking or breaking.

The vine-covered house is so charming it feels like something out of a fairytale. However, these clinging vines can damage surfaces, collapse brickwork and provide cover for pests such as spiders and rats. Let’s take a look at how you can achieve the curb appeal of your vine-covered home while minimizing damage.

How vines climb. Most vines use sticky roots, sticky pads, or coiled tendrils to cling to surfaces. The clinging roots and sticky pad types are the most likely to damage the exterior of your home. Twisted tendrils should grow around supports, but they can also cause serious damage to your home if they start to twist around gutters, windows or the roofline.

Choose the right vine. One way to minimize damage is to choose vine types that are less likely to cause damage to your home. Avoid English Ivy, which has very hard roots and is known to be invasive. Boston Ivy or Virginia Creeper would be better choices for a classic vine-covered look. Or if you prefer flowering, try a variety of clematis. Check with your local nursery to find the best option for your climate.

 Can vines safely enter your home? The short answer is yes. If you have a home built of brick or stone, it may be possible to have your dream home covered in vines without damaging it. That is, if your stone house is in perfect condition. Vines generally do not damage solid brick and mortar or masonry structures, but they can cause small cracks or chips to develop and roots can penetrate,
causing larger cracks and delamination.

Homes with shingles or vinyl siding must have a grid. This is because vines growing directly on these surfaces can loosen and break shingles and peel off siding. Vines are also not a good choice for wood siding because they can trap moisture in your home. Stucco is a mixed case. Although fairly sturdy when in good condition, removing vines can cause the surface to break and become damaged.

Grow vines on trellises or supports. The best way to prevent damage to your home is to train your vines to grow on a trellis at least 6 inches from the side of your home. Most are placed so close together that the vines can cling to exterior walls and trellises. Any type of vine that can climb exterior walls should be able to climb a sturdy trellis without problems.

Modern spaces require variations on the traditional grid. Try using a soft metal grid, such as the steel supports. When completely covered with vines, the supports themselves become almost invisible.

If you can invest the time or hire a gardener, you can train your vines to grow on patterned supports.

Pay attention to maintenance. Whether you grow your own vines at home or on supports, regular maintenance is essential. Remove vines from windows, doors, shutters, gutters, drainpipes and rooflines. Vines of any type that become entangled in the architectural features of your home can cause serious damage, including water leaks and rot.

Have fun with your garden walls. If keeping a vine-covered exterior straight is too difficult, why not try a vine-covered garden wall instead? It has both charm and romance, but since it is not attached to the house, there are not many worries.