How to grow English ivy so it fills out its pot, and can it be kept in the bedroom?

English ivy is a very easy plant to grow. It adapts well to its environment and is not only cold-tolerant but also undemanding about light, growing well in both full sun and low light. As one of the potted plants modern people love, English ivy not only serves a decorative purpose and looks good planted indoors or outdoors, it also purifies the air and can trap fine dust, which is quite remarkable. So how do you grow English ivy so it fills out its pot? Can it be kept in the bedroom?

1. How do you grow English ivy so it fills out its pot?

1. Soil conditions

English ivy is not fussy about soil; generally choose a well-draining, fairly fertile sandy soil. The nutrient soil mix needs a base fertilizer as one of its components.

2. Watering principles

When watering English ivy, follow the principle of watering when the soil is dry and watering less when it is moist; do not water too much during routine care either. In winter, when temperatures are very low, the air is dry and humidity is low, you can water less or not at all, to avoid waterlogging that causes root rot. But to keep the leaves green and clean, you do need to spray a little water on them. In summer, when temperatures are very high, water appropriately more, and to maintain air humidity also spray the plant, so the leaves will not wilt.

It is worth noting that if overwatering causes root rot, we should promptly trim off the rotten roots and then care for the plant carefully, so as not to affect the growth of the whole plant.

3. Fertilizing principles

English ivy generally does not need fertilizing in winter or summer; during the peak growing season, fertilize once every half month. Be sure to apply a weak fertilizer solution, and you can also apply foliar fertilizer, but it depends on the type. For example, liquid fertilizer must not touch the leaves, as it easily causes leaf scorch, while a 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution can be applied, and the plant will grow even better. Note that many people like to choose a single nitrogen fertilizer when fertilizing, thinking this will make the plant grow faster, but for English ivy, a single nitrogen fertilizer can easily cause leaf patches or fading of the variegation.

4. Light conditions

English ivy is not demanding about light; it grows fairly well whether in shade or in a sunny spot. But to make its leaves a more vivid green, avoid strong sunlight in summer, which easily causes the leaves to scorch; you can move it outdoors in the morning and evening and indoors during the day.

5. Temperature conditions

English ivy grows better in a warm environment, that is, the temperature people normally find comfortable, around 20-25°C, so protective measures must be taken in winter and summer. In winter, it is best to place the pot indoors and keep the temperature no lower than 5°C; in summer, provide appropriate shade and remember to spray the leaves to cool them down.

6. Preventing pests and diseases

The most common disease of English ivy is leaf spot, and the most common pests are red spider mites, mites, and scale insects. So keeping it in a well-ventilated spot is the first step in preventing pests and diseases, because dark, poorly ventilated environments easily breed insects. During routine care, check whether the leaves have webbing or small insects. If there are many pests, you can treat the plant with a pesticide. If there are few pests, you can wash and rinse them off with soapy water.

7. Pruning

For English ivy that has grown for many years, pruning is very necessary to give its trailing habit a more beautiful look, so that the growth does not become shapeless, with too many branches and vines, some areas too dense and others too sparse. So newly grown English ivy should be pinched back in good time after it sprouts in spring to encourage branching and make it easier to shape.

8. Repotting at the right time

Repotting is done to ensure the soil has enough nutrients so the English ivy grows better. It is recommended to repot after 1-2 years of cultivation.

2. Is English ivy suitable for keeping in the bedroom?

Judging by its effects, English ivy is suitable for the bedroom, though it is best to place a smaller-shaped one to save space while still looking attractive. Why do we say it can go in the bedroom? Because English ivy can absorb toxic substances from the air, such as nicotine and formaldehyde, and can even trap some dust and kill airborne bacteria, thus purifying the air. At the same time, a potted English ivy can be pruned into shape to decorate the bedroom, making the whole room look green and harmonious.

But to help English ivy grow better, we generally place it in the living room or on the balcony, because with sufficient light, English ivy traps dust more effectively. At the same time, a pot placed in the living room or on the balcony can be a larger, more ornamental one, and can also be arranged in a combined display; both are good choices.