Everything you need to know about English Ivy plant care indoors

Every time you gaze at an English ivy (Hedera helix), it’s like getting a Valentine: The plant produces a large number of heart-shaped leaves in a variety of colours ranging from dark to light green, as well as variegated variants. The vine plant English ivy smothers structures and runs across the ground. Ivy is lovely, but it is also considered an invasive plant in some areas due to its aggressive growth habits. Ivy will never grow out of control as a houseplant. It can be one of the most attractive indoor plants with the correct light, water, and care, excelling in containers and flowing from hanging baskets. Let’s discover more about English Ivy plant care indoors in this post.

English Ivy Plant Care Indoors

Planting

Ivies look great in pots and hanging baskets can be trained into beautiful patterns on walls, and can be grown on wireframes to make topiaries. Arborescent shapes are ideal for foundation plantings and shadow gardens.Ivy tendrils can spill over the sides of hanging baskets, giving them plenty of room to develop. They are also simple to hang near a window to provide the indirect light that ivy needs. To get an ivy planter started, use an all-purpose or potting mix for English Ivy plant care indoors.Let’s learn more about soil in coming paragraph.

Soil

Indoor ivy should be planted in houseplant-specific potting soil that drains quickly. Ivies prefer somewhat acidic soil, with an optimal pH range of 5.5 to 6.5. Make sure the pot has plenty of drainage holes so the ivy doesn’t drown for proper English Ivy plant care indoors. Repotting is normally required after three years, or when the roots get congested through the drainage openings.

Light

English ivy enjoys shade to partial shade in the wide outdoors. As a result, many people believe they are low-light houseplants. However, one important aspect of knowing how to care for an ivy plant indoors is that it requires medium to bright, indirect light. Variegated ivy thrives in medium light, whereas solid-green ivy likes brighter light. All types of ivy should be kept out of direct sunlight but in a bright location for the majority of the day for smart English Ivy plant care indoors.

Ivy plants will become leggy as a result of poor lighting. Their leaf colour may fade, and variegated ivy kinds will lose their noticeable variegation. Remember that, while outdoor ivy plants can handle some direct sunshine, those grown indoors can suffer from scorched leaves and brown blotches if kept in direct sunlight.

Watering

Ivy enjoys a dry environment indoors. Allow the soil to completely dry between waterings. Ivy does not like standing water, so make sure the pot has proper drainage. After watering, empty the pot saucer as needed. When it comes to English Ivy plant care indoors, it’s best to err on the side of too dry rather than overly damp.

Fertilization

During the warmer months, all indoor ivy plant kinds will benefit from regular indoor plant feeding. From spring to fall, feed them once a month with a high-nitrogen, water-soluble plant food for healthy English Ivy plant care indoors. Always moisten the ivy before fertilizing it; never fertilize a dry plant. If they like, ivy enthusiasts can use a slow-release indoor plant food twice a year, once in the spring and once in the summer. Allow ivy to rest in the winter and avoid fertilizing during this time. Overfertilization stresses plants and attracts pests and diseases.

Temperature and Humidity

Ivy plants, unlike other tropical houseplants, are native to temperate areas and hence demand slightly milder indoor temperatures. They should ideally be in a room that is between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit for the right English Ivy plant care indoors.While they favour low temperatures and dry soil, ivy plants thrive in dampness. Mist the ivy plant with a mister or spray bottle a few times per week to maintain it healthy indoors. Because the insides of homes tend to be drier in the winter, mist every day. Make sure the spray bottle is just used for houseplants and not utilized for anything else.

Propagation

Ivy can be grown from seed with patience, however, cuttings are the most usual approach to cultivate ivy plants. If possible, a cutting should be several inches long. Place cuttings in a container or vase of water to root. When the cutting has established enough roots, move it to a tiny container (with a potting medium labelled as good for starts).

Cuttings can also be soaked in rooting hormone before being rooted in perlite or sand. Only the bottom inch of the cuttings should be in the medium for English Ivy plant care indoors. It can be difficult to keep the rooting medium moist because it dries quickly. To keep moisture in, use a seed starting tray with a lid or a tiny indoor greenhouse. Cuttings often root in 6-8 weeks.

Precaution

The sap of ivy plants contains a chemical called falcarinol. Some people may have an allergic reaction to the plant’s sap. Wearing gardening gloves when cutting or transplanting ivy plants is therefore recommended. If pets consume ivy, they may have vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, trouble to breathe, and swelling of the lips or tongue.

Common Problems in English Ivy Plant Care Indoors

Pest and diseases

If pests are discovered on any indoor plant, quarantine it immediately. Pests propagate far faster indoors than they do outside. Repeat the treatment as needed, and don’t put the plant back where it belongs until the insects are gone. 

Spider and Aphids

The spider mite is one of the most prevalent pests on indoor ivy plants. These insects are so little that they resemble microscopic black or brown dots. Spider mites are easily identified by the webs they spin on the undersides of leaves. Aphids are also attracted to ivy. Wash the plant with water and spray it with neem oil or an insecticidal soap appropriate for indoor use to treat aphids and spider mites for English Ivy plant care indoors.

Scale

Scale can appear on indoor ivy plants on occasion, but it is less prevalent than on other houseplants. It can be treated in the same way as aphids and spider mites are. 

Mealybugs

Mealybugs are distinguished by their cotton-like appearance and can be found on the undersides of leaves and along stems. If there are only a few bugs, dab individual bugs with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, being careful not to get the alcohol on the plant’s leaves. If the infestation is severe, use insecticidal soap to treat it.

Overwatering

Overwatering can cause brown spots on the leaves, but it is also a condition known as “leaf spot,” which is caused by bacteria. This is conveyed to indoor plants from outside cutting instruments or gardening gloves. Keep a separate set of tools and gloves for indoor and outdoor plants to avoid this. Ivy plants are prone to root rot, which can be avoided by allowing the soil to dry completely down to the roots between waterings.

Pruning of English Ivy Plant

Don’t feel scared to regularly trim up for a good English Ivy plant care indoors. For a fuller look in your English Ivy plant snip off longer trailing vines with a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shear. It will make your plant bushier. You can also cut half of the plant while pruning it will not harm the look and health of this amazing vining beauty.

(Also Read- 5 Stunning Hanging Flowering Plants)

Conclusion

The ivy plant has always held a significant place in popular culture, from Greek tales to English ballads. English ivy, like the lovely golden pothos plant, has gained in popularity in recent years, with new types coming on the market practically every year. While there are a few keys to mastering English Ivy plant care indoors, it is very simple to cultivate indoors because of its tolerance of medium-to-bright light and lower room temperatures.