How to grow variegated ivy? A detailed guide to cultivation methods
SummaryVariegated ivy can be grown in soil mixed from plain sand, garden soil, leaf mold, and rice husk ash. The minimum growing temperature for potted plants should not be lower than 5°C. It loves to grow in semi-shaded environments. In spring, summer, and autumn, keep the soil in the pot moist. In winter, keep the soil in the pot dry. The suitable air humidity is 70-80%. During the growing period, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers can be applied. In the later stage, branches and leaves should be pruned in time.
1. Potting and repotting
Variegated ivy loves fertile, loose, and well-drained sandy loam. The growing medium can be mixed from plain sand, garden soil, leaf mold, and rice husk ash. About 3-5 seedlings can be planted per pot, which helps promote the plant to take shape as early as possible. Variegated ivy grows relatively quickly, and it needs to be repotted once every spring. The potted plant can also be removed from the pot, and the roots can be washed clean of the growing medium with clean water for hydroponic cultivation.
2. Temperature
Variegated ivy likes warmth. The suitable growing temperature from April to August is 18-20°C, and the suitable growing temperature from September to March of the following year is 13-18°C. It is cold-tolerant and can withstand low temperatures of about 1°C. Moving it indoors in winter allows it to overwinter safely. If the aboveground part of the plant dies from freezing damage, it can still sprout and grow branches in spring of the following year, but for potted plants it is best to keep the temperature no lower than 5°C.
3. Light
Variegated ivy does not have very high light requirements and loves to grow in a semi-shaded environment. It can grow robustly under sufficient scattered light. From October to April of the following year, if given sufficient light, it will grow even better. During cultivation, avoid strong direct sunlight, otherwise it easily causes the leaf tips and leaf edges to dry up. From May to September, appropriate shading is needed.
4. Watering
Variegated ivy loves a moist soil environment and is tolerant of waterlogging. During growth, it needs sufficient water to keep the soil in the pot moist. When winter arrives, watering needs to be controlled to keep the soil in the pot dry.
5. Humidity
Variegated ivy loves a moist environment, so the air should not be too dry. During cultivation, it is necessary to frequently spray water on the plant and the surrounding environment, which helps increase the humidity in the air. When the relative air humidity is 70-80%, the plant grows better.
6. Fertilizing
Variegated ivy grows relatively quickly. During the growing period, the nutrients needed for growth must be supplemented in time. During this period, apply nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers 1-2 times every 30 days, which helps promote vigorous plant growth and makes the markings on the leaf surface more vivid. After autumn begins, stop applying nitrogen fertilizer and appropriately increase phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, which helps improve the plant's cold resistance. In winter, stop applying all fertilizers.
7. Pruning
Young plants need to be pinched back 1-2 times, and water and fertilizer management should be strengthened, which helps promote the plant to form a good crown. When the branch tips grow too vigorously, pinching and tip pruning can be done appropriately, which helps the plant grow more luxuriantly. For plants that have grown for 2-3 years and are weaker in growth, they can be pruned again in spring along with repotting, which helps the plant recover normal growth.
8. Common pests and diseases
Throughout the entire growing period, variegated ivy mainly suffers from pests and diseases such as canker, wilt disease, leaf spot disease, scale insects, and root-knot nematodes.