How to Grow Swedish Ivy

Swedish ivy will grow in pots or baskets.

Swedish ivy produces flowing vines of glossy, dark green leaves and clumps of little white flowers. The plant grows happily in hanging baskets or planters, but is sensitive to cold or hot temperatures. In ideal conditions, Swedish ivy stems trail to over 3 feet long. Swedish ivy makes a hardy and attractive houseplant that requires small amounts of care and attention. The plant grows readily from cuttings. This is the best method of propagation, as recommended by Missouri State University.

Things You'll Need

• Pot or hanging basket
• Potting mix
• Root hormone solution
• Swedish ivy cutting
• Houseplant fertilizer

Instructions

1. Fill a planter or hanging basket with potting mix. Choose a fast-draining mix with a combination of sphagnum moss, perlite, sand or vermiculite, according to Texas A&M University.

2. Water the mix three times until it's moist throughout the soil. Place the pot in a bright location, but partially shaded from strong direct sunlight. Ideal temperatures are no lower than 55 degrees F at night and no higher than 80 degrees F in daytime, according to the University of Florida Nassau County Extension.

3. Take a stem cutting from a thriving Swedish ivy plant. Cut a section with several leaves, but remove any leaves from the bottom few inches of the cutting. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone solution, available from garden supply stores.

4. Push the cutting into the potting mix carefully until a few inches deep. Firm the soil around the stem. Keep the soil moist with regular sprays of water, but don't allow the plant to get waterlogged.

5. Fertilize with general houseplant feed from spring until fall, according to the University of Florida. Apply as recommended on the fertilizer packet.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring the plant in during wintertime, or during extremely hot summer days.

• Reduce watering if the lower leaves drop or turn yellow, according to the University of Florida.

References

• University of Florida Nassau County Extension: Houseplants
• Texas Agricultural Extension Service: Propagating Foliage & Flowering Plants
• Missouri State University: Lamiaceae Family