Sun Requirements
English ivy when grown as houseplant, like medium to bright light. It’s won’t tolerate low light conditions. Ivies with white variegated leaves like less light than dark green leaf versions. It can grow under artificial lighting. Outdoors English ivy grows well in shade as a vine or groundcover.
Bloom Period and Plant Shape
English ivies (Hedera helix) are grown primarily for their attractive, heart-shaped leaves. English ivy is a trailing plant that grows well cascading out of an elevated pot.
Mature Height x Spread
The English ivy plant grows quickly and can reach many feet long, if not trained. Pruning also helps keep the vine bushy and in good health.
How to Plant
Plant English ivy in clay or plastic pots filled with well-drained potting soil. English ivy doesn’t like wet soil, but does like high humidity and cool temperatures.
Growing Tips
English ivy is native to Europe and Western Asia. Outdoors it can scale walls and buildings and is considered invasive in some regions. Indoors it makes a nice, easy to care for houseplant as long as you give it enough light, high humidity, and cool room temperatures. It is very amenable to pruning to keep the vines under control.
Water English ivy sparingly, once the soil has dried. Cut back on watering in winter. Give plants an occasional shower to clean off the leaves. Fertilize monthly from spring to summer with a houseplant fertilizer.
English ivy is easy to propagate by taking a cutting from the vine and rooting it in moist potting soil.
Spider mites might be a problem in dry homes in winter. Place the English ivy in a drainage tray filled with pebbles and water to increase the humidity and discourage the spider mites.
English ivy leaves are poisonous to pets.
Design Tips:
English ivy are great trailing plants. Place a small pot on a shelf and let the plant cascade down. Another way to plant is in a hanging basket. If allowed to grow vertical, don’t let the vines attach to the walls with their tiny roots or they might leave a mark.
Varieties:
There are many varieties of English ivy. Some are variegated with green and white leaves. ‘Itsy Bitsy’ is a dwarf, green variety. ‘Curlilocks’ has wavy, green leaves. ‘Gold Child’ has leaves splashed with yellow, white and gray colors.
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