The Latest Methods for Growing Ivy as a Houseplant

Ivy is a perennial evergreen climbing plant of the Araliaceae family and the Hedera genus (ivy), with ovate or broadly ovate leaves. Because its branches and leaves are emerald green and glossy, and it has many variegated varieties, with slender, soft, drooping stems and vines, it can be grown in pots either hanging or standing to decorate a room. Ivy is relatively cold-tolerant, and overwintering indoors is no problem.

Ivy is not demanding about soil, and it can grow in ordinary soil. For potted growing, however, the potting soil can be made by mixing garden soil, about one quarter plant ash, and a small amount of base fertilizer. Choosing plant ash not only keeps the potting soil loose and airy, but also provides more potassium fertilizer to meet the growth needs of ivy. During the growing season, ivy can be given a liquid fertilizer once every 2 weeks, or a granular fertilizer once a month. For variegated varieties, the proportion of nitrogen fertilizer must not be too high, so that the variegated leaves do not turn green.

Green-leaf ivy can grow under both strong light and shaded conditions, while variegated ivy must not be left in direct sunlight for long periods in summer and autumn. When ivy sprouts a large amount of branches and leaves in spring, whether variegated or green-leaf, it should be placed in sunlight to receive sufficient light, so that the branches and leaves that grow out will be lush and sturdy. For column-trained potted plants, prune and pinch back regularly.

Ivy requires the most care during the plum rain season and in summer high temperatures. For ivy placed outdoors during the plum rain season, any standing water in the pot must be poured off promptly, so that the roots are not soaked and rotted for a long time. During the summer high-temperature season, it is best to water in the early morning or evening, which can avoid a large difference between soil temperature and water temperature that causes the root system to suffer stress and injury, ultimately leading to the plant withering and dying.

Ivy is mainly propagated by cuttings. In spring and autumn, cut semi-lignified young shoots about ten cm long and pot them directly in growing medium, and they will take root after a period of time.

Under high temperature or poor ventilation, ivy may develop mites or aphids, which can generally be washed off with soapy water or sprayed with a 40 percent omethoate solution at 1,000 to 1,500 times dilution.