How to grow ivy as a potted plant at home

Ivy is a perennial evergreen climbing plant in the Araliaceae family, genus Hedera, with ovate or broadly ovate leaves. Because its branches and leaves are emerald green and glossy, and it has many variegated cultivars, with slender, supple stems that trail downward, 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 pot cultivation, however, the potting soil can be mixed from garden soil, about one quarter plant ash, and a small amount of base fertilizer. Using plant ash both keeps the potting soil loose and airy and provides more potassium fertilizer to meet ivy's growth needs. During the growing season, ivy can be given liquid fertilizer once every 2 weeks, or a granular fertilizer once a month. For variegated cultivars, 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. In spring, when the branches and leaves sprout abundantly, ivy, whether variegated or green-leaf, should be placed in the sun to receive sufficient light; only then will the new branches and leaves grow lush and sturdy. For potted plants on a support pole, prune and pinch out the growing tips regularly.

Ivy requires the most care during the plum rain season and summer high temperatures. For ivy placed outdoors during the plum rain season, any accumulated water in the pot must be poured off promptly to prevent the roots from being waterlogged for a long time and rotting. During the summer high-temperature season, it is best to water in the early morning or evening, which avoids a large difference between soil temperature and water temperature that causes root 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, pot them directly in growing medium, and after a period of time they will root.

Under high temperatures or poor ventilation, ivy may be affected by mites or aphids. Generally, washing with soapy water or spraying a 1,000 to 1,500 times dilution of 40 percent omethoate will take care of it.