English Ivy Houseplant | Everything You Need To Know
You know, some people are surprised to think of ivy in any other way than growing up on the outside of a brick wall, which is absolutely stately and elegant.
I’ve always loved that look too. But growing ivy indoors isn’t difficult at all. To make it thrive, I want to give you some pointers.
So let’s talk about a timeless and versatile beauty, the English ivy, scientifically known as hedera helix. Now, here’s the thing.
Table of Contents
Toxicity
English ivy is considered toxic to humans and pets if ingested, so keeping it out of reach is essential. But otherwise, this plant is a superhero in the world of air pollution, waving goodbye to nasties like benzene and formaldehyde. If grown outdoors, it can also prevent soil erosion.
Lighting
In terms of lighting, English ivy is a fan of bright, indirect light, but it’s very forgiving and can also tolerate some low-light conditions. It can grow indoors in areas that receive some natural light, like near a window or under a grow light. However, if grown in very low-light conditions for extended periods, it can become laggy or lose its vibrant color.
If you’re planning to plant it outside, partial shade to full sun works, yet it appreciates some shade during the scorching hours of the day.
Watering
This plant prefers consistently moist soil, but it’s crucial not to overdo it. Overwatering can lead to root rot and other complications.
The key is to allow the top inch of the soil to dry out before reaching for that watering can. The frequency of watering can vary based on factors like the temperature and humidity of your environment, the size of your plant, and the type of soil it’s nestled in. In regions with limited rainfall, it’s a good idea to lend a hand by watering when the soil has dried out.
Soil
This versatile plant actually isn’t picky, and it can adapt to various soil types, including loam, sand, and clay. However, it’s important to avoid soils that are overly heavy or compacted, as they can lead to water logging and root rot. Well-draining soil is the key.
Fertilizer
English ivy is a low-maintenance plant, and it doesn’t always require additional fertilizer. However, if you want to give your ivy a little boost, or if it appears to be nutrient deficient, you can introduce some balanced water-soluble fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
Temperature & Humidity
Temperature-wise, English ivy is quite versatile. It can handle a broad range of temperatures, from as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit to as high as 80 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you want to pamper your ivy and create the optimal conditions for it, aim for temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Be mindful of extreme heat or cold.
In terms of humidity, English ivy grows faster with a bit of moisture in the air. It thrives in moderate to high humidity, which generally falls in the range of 40 to 60 percent. Your ivy can tolerate a bit lower humidity levels.
Potting and repotting
Opt for pots equipped with drainage holes to prevent excess water from turning your ivy’s home into a waterlogged mess. Moreover, these porous materials breathe life into your plant’s abode, allowing air to circulate, keeping the soil healthy, and preventing dreaded root rot. English ivy should be repotted every one to two years when it has root-bound, depleted soil, top-heavy, or slow growth.
Choose a pot that is only slightly bigger, about one to two inches larger, to avoid waterlogging and root rot.
Pruning
While it’s not necessary to prune your English ivy regularly, occasional trimming and shaping can help maintain the plant’s shape, promote healthy growth, and keep it looking vibrant. Remove dead or damaged leaves and stems, and trim back any leggy or overgrown stems to encourage bushier growth and keep the plant neat.
English ivy can be propagated easily from stem cuttings. Take healthy ivy stems about four to six inches long, cut just below a node. Remove leaves from the lower two inches.
Optionally, use rooting hormone powder on the cut end. Plant in moist soil, burying the cut end about two inches deep. Place in a bright, airy spot away from direct sunlight.
Check for root growth after a few weeks, and once it resists when tugged, they’re ready for direct sunlight.
Pests
Watch out for spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. Treat infestations as needed.
It includes several proactive measures:
- You should Check your plant regularly such as the leaves are discoloured or not, if it has sticky residue or visible insects.
- Prune regularly to improve air circulation and try to reduce the hiding for pests.
- Ensure your English ivy receives enough sunlight, water, and nutrients. So that it can enhance its natural defence against pests
- provide habitat and avoid broad-spectrum insecticides.
- Before you add new plants to your garden or indoor space, check them properly if they have pests then you may qurantine them for a few weeks to monitor for any signs of infestation before adding them with your existing plants.
 *(Include an image of droopy leaves)* Some plants, such as calatheas, prefer moist soil at all times; otherwise, they develop that signature brown tissue damage on the leaves. The annoying thing here is that the damage cannot be reversed and can only be cut away, leaving you with a damaged plant. If the soil of your plant is bone dry, you'll notice that it's pulling away from the sides of the pot. This is because the soil has shrunk due to a lack of moisture, so make sure you are not letting this happen by watering a little more frequently. #### Signs Your Plant is Overwatered (darkgreen) Overwatering plants is a really common way that people kill their plants. Beginner plant enthusiasts often have a common misconception that houseplants need lots of water, but the reality is that these plants are native to hot climates where they may get periods of drought followed by large rain which rehydrates them. **Yellowing leaves** (red) can indicate an overwatering problem as well as an underwatering problem. If you are watering your plant too often and the soil is always wet, this can lead to root rot, which will begin to affect the leaves of your plant. **Limp and mushy leaves** (red) also indicate that you are overwatering your plant. This is particularly true with succulents such as Echeverias. Echeverias store water in their thick leaves and have difficulty storing excess water if you are watering your plant too often. This leads to mushy plants that eventually fall off.  *(Include an image of yellowing leaves)* Philodendron and Pothos plants tend to get mushy leaves that fall off if the soil is consistently soggy. My Philodendron Birkin recently developed some new brown leaves that fell off because I was overwatering it. Whereas crispy brown edges on leaves indicate an underwatering problem, if the whole leaves are turning brown, this tends to mean that the plant tissue is rotting due to too much water. You may also notice some water droplets on the ends of the leaves of some of your plants. This is the plant perspiring excess water through its leaves and can indicate that you are giving the plant too much water. Now, this tends to happen on plants that prefer drier soil, and I notice it quite often on my Philodendron Birkin and my Tradescantia Nanook. **Increased presence of fungus gnats** (red) can also be a sign that your plant is too moist. Fungus gnats like a moist top two inches of soil to breed and lay their eggs, so if your soil is wet, it creates a breeding ground for gnats. If you see lots of flea-like flies jumping around the top of your soil, I would just dial back on the watering and let the top two inches of the soil dry out before watering again. #### Watering Tips (darkgreen) It is important to allow the soil of your houseplant to dry out between waterings. This prevents the possibility of over-watering, which is one of the most common reasons people kill their plants. **Check the soil moisture** (red) before watering your plant by sticking your finger two inches into the soil. If it feels wet, leave it a few days and then check again. An even better way to check the soil moisture is to invest in a moisture meter. This device needs no batteries and tells you exactly how much moisture is in the soil, giving you control over watering your plants.  *(Include an image of a moisture meter)* When you identify that your plant needs water, make sure you give it a thorough soaking. Take your plant to a sink area and soak the soil four or five times until water drains out of the bottom each time. This ensures that all the soil in the pot gets moistened and there are no dry patches. **Bottom watering** (teal) is a method that has changed the health of my plants since I implemented it a couple of years ago. Place your plant in a container of water and let it absorb moisture from the bottom up. This method prevents water from getting on the leaves, which can cause leaf tissue damage. I hope this article was helpful. Now you know when to water your plants and when not to. Apply this knowledge to your plants and see the growth. Happy gardening! --- Incorporating these visual and formatting enhancements will make your article more attractive and engaging for your readers.](https://growinggaze.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pexels-artempodrez-7242495-scaled.jpg)
