How to Grow English Ivy Indoors
According to Clemson University, there are hundreds of varieties of English ivy, ranging from pale green buttercup to shamrock, which has tiny leaves that resemble a bird's foot. English ivy is mostly a climbing vine, but can be used indoors as a companion planting, trailing over the edges of a container, climbing on a small trellis or flourishing by itself in a pot. Give it the right soil, light, moisture and fertilizer, and English ivy can make a beautiful house plant. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- English ivy
- Medium-sized flowerpot
- Potting soil
- Water
- Saucer
- Pebbles
- Fertilizer
Instructions
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Check containers before planting English ivy indoors. Make sure drainage holes are open and functioning.
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Fill medium-sized flowerpots two-thirds full of potting soil. Moisten thoroughly.
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Set English ivy roots on top of the soil, and cover with more soil until the pot is full. Plant no more than two to three stems to a pot, because English ivy does not grow well when overcrowded. Water generously after planting.
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Set flowerpots where they will get bright, but indirect, light. English ivy will scorch in direct sun. A south-facing window with a sheer curtain is a good choice.
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Water indoor English ivy whenever the soil is dry to a depth of a half-inch. Provide a little extra humidity for potted ivies by placing them in a saucer of pebbles and water. Make sure the pot sits on the pebbles, and not in the water, or you'll risk root rot.
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Fertilize indoor English ivies with a pinch of water-soluble fertilizer once a month, from May to October. Do not fertilize when the plant is growing slower in winter.
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Repot English ivy every two to three years in fresh soil, in a slightly larger pot, to replace exhausted soil and prevent overcrowding.
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Tips & Warnings
Propagate more English ivy by taking 4- to 6-inch cuttings from the mature plant. They will root easily and quickly in a glass of water.
Watch out for whitefly and mites, which are common pests for English ivy and other indoor plants. If you see them, rinse off the ivy's leaves in a forceful stream of lukewarm tap water.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit English Ivy image by Keith Pinto from Fotolia.com
