Home Gardening Outdoor Gardening 3 Homemade Solutions for Killing Poison Ivy Naturally Try one of these chemical-free methods to get rid of the pesky plant. By Marnie Kunz Published on May 11, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Vinegar Spray Method Salt Solution Method Boiling Water Method How to Remove Poison Ivy Safely How to Prevent Poison Ivy Growth Close Photo: Oliver Childs/Getty Images If you’ve ever gone hiking, you’ve probably heard the warning, “Leaves of three, let it be.” Poison ivy, Toxicodendron radicans, is a plant that can cause people to break out in hives and rashes (and even experience anaphylaxis in a few severe cases) thanks to urushiol, the plant’s oily resin. Pets can also spread the poison ivy oils by picking them up on their fur! So if poison ivy grows in your yard or garden, it’s essential to remove it so you and your family members don’t experience an allergic reaction. Here, experts offer their best tips for killing poison ivy naturally to protect your yard—and health. Dan Bailey, president of WikiLawn Tampa Lawn Care Roger May, PhD, horticulture expert and director of technical operations for TruGreen Gavin Warwick, founder of Boise Landscaping Company 6 Skin-Irritating Plants You Should Avoid Touching (Besides Poison Ivy) Vinegar Spray Method A DIY vinegar spray can naturally kill poison ivy. Combine 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 1 tablespoon of dish soap with one gallon of water to create your own vinegar spray. Spray the solution directly on the leaves and stems of poison ivy. “Misting the vinegar spray onto a poison ivy plant will kill it, but you’ll need to spray it over the span of a few days,” says Dan Bailey, president of WikiLawn Tampa Lawn Care. Spray the vinegar solution every few days until the poison ivy wilts and dies. Be careful not to spray neighboring plants, as the solution can kill them as well. Salt Solution Method If you don’t have any vinegar, you can create a salt solution to kill poison ivy. Mix one cup of salt with a tablespoon of dish soap and a gallon of water. Pour the salt solution into a spray bottle and spray it on poison ivy leaves and stems. You may have to reapply the solution several times to kill new growth and completely eliminate the poison ivy. When you spray the solution, avoid contact with nearby plants, as they can be damaged. Does Salt Go Bad? Here's What One Brand Says Boiling Water Method “One effective natural method I’ve used involves pouring boiling water directly onto the roots of the plant,” Warwick says. “It’s crucial to get as close to the root as possible to prevent the plant from regrowing.” To use this method, boil a pot of water. Then, slowly pour the boiling water directly onto the base and stems of the poison ivy plant. Boiling water can kill above-ground growth but often won’t kill the roots. Repeat applications every few days until new growth stops emerging. When handling boiling water, take precautions to avoid getting burned. Wear heat-resistant gloves and avoid contact with the water. Identifying and Understanding Poison Ivy “Poison ivy is commonly identified by its trio of leaflets on one stem,” says Gavin Warwick, founder of Boise Landscaping Company. "The central leaflet has a notably longer stem than the two side leaflets. The leaves are typically shiny with smooth or slightly toothed edges. They can change color with the seasons: green in spring and summer and yellow, orange, or red in fall.” There are two general varieties, Eastern and Western. Eastern poison ivy typically grows on a hairy, rope-like vine. Western poison ivy can grow as a shrub but will still have sets of three leaves. Poison ivy may have yellow or green flowers and white to greenish-yellow or amber berries. However, not all poison ivy has flowers or berries, so don’t rely on this to identify the plant. Poison ivy is hazardous because it contains the oily substance urushiol, which is present in all plant parts, including the roots, stems, leaves, and even dead plants. Most people are allergic to urushiol, which usually shows up as itchiness, redness, swelling, blisters, and hives. In rare cases, people may have a severe allergic reaction to poison ivy and experience anaphylaxis, which causes difficulty breathing and can be life-threatening. How to Remove Poison Ivy Safely When removing poison ivy from your yard, wear protective clothing and avoid contact with the plant. To protect your hands, wear gloves when handling poison ivy roots, stems, and leaves. Even dead poison ivy can have active oils that trigger allergic reactions, so do not handle the plant without gloves. “You can rake up the poison ivy tissues and place them in a plastic garbage bag or thick yard waste bag, then dispose of it with your usual yard waste,” says Roger May, PhD, horticulture expert and director of technical operations for TruGreen. “Do not burn poison ivy, since the urushiol that some find irritating can travel with the smoke and may cause breathing irritation.” Dr. May advises wearing boots, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and chemical-resistant disposable gloves to prevent exposure to the toxic oils. Also, avoid composting poison ivy, as the urushiol found on it can persist in the compost. How to Treat a Poison Ivy Reaction According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, there's no real cure for contact dermatitis from a poison ivy plant. Your best bet is to avoid them completely. If you happen to touch one though, they recommend washing the infected area immediately with regular soap. Rinse and repeat three times. Then wash your clothes and shoes, which may be carrying some of the plant's oils. To ease the itching, you can try calamine lotion. Bathing in a baking soda or colloidal oatmeal solution may help as well. Seek medical attention if your body temperature goes above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the blisters and rash are on your face, in your eyes, or all over your body. How to Prevent Poison Ivy Growth Some natural measures can go a long way in preventing poison ivy from infiltrating your outdoor spaces. Design the Right Landscape Designing your landscape with certain features will make it harder for poison ivy to grow. “Maintain a healthy, dense ground cover to prevent poison ivy from establishing itself,” says Warwick. “Ground covers compete for resources and can significantly reduce the light available to poison ivy seedlings. Applying mulch can also inhibit its growth by blocking sunlight.” Plant Natural Preventatives Some plants are natural preventatives for poison ivy. Virginia Creeper is a fast-growing vine that climbs and creates a dense shade that can help suppress poison ivy. Barrenwort is a shade-loving perennial that forms a thick ground cover that can crowd out poison ivy. Planting native wildflowers can create an environment that discourages poison ivy growth. Regularly Inspect Your Property You can also keep your eyes peeled for poison ivy so you can remove any that pops up in your yard. “Regularly inspect your property, especially the edges of yards and wooded areas, to remove young plants before they establish,” says Warwick. The 14 Best Climbing Plants for Your Trellis or Pergola Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit