How to Care for Violets With Ivy

Grow ivy with African violets.

African violet (Saintpaulia species) is a common indoor plant that produces pink, blue or lavender flowers all year round if its growing conditions are met. Ivy is a well-known, easy-to-grow houseplant that appears in a variety of foliage shapes and shades. Although both types of plants have a distinct set of requirements, you can grow them together in a planter to save up on growing space. Plant the desired variety of African violet in the middle of the pot and trailing ivies along its edges. Inspect the plants regularly for signs of stress that indicate an underlying problem.

Things You'll Need

• Planter, 4 to 5 inches high
• Potting mix
• Peat
• Transparent curtain (optional)
• Long-spouted watering can
• Pruning scissors
• Cotton
• Rubbing alcohol
• Neem oil (optional)
• Water-soluble fertilizer

Instructions

1. Grow African violets and English ivy in a shallow pot or planter that measures 4 to 5 inches high. Fill it with equal parts potting mix and peat to create a well-draining, slightly acidic growing mix suitable for both types of plants.

2. Place the planter in a spot with indirect but bright light, preferably near a west- or southeast-facing window. Space the planter 3 feet from the window to prevent direct afternoon sunlight on the African violets. Alternatively, hang a transparent curtain to provide both plant types filtered but bright light.

3. Provide a consistent indoor temperature for African violets and ivy. Both types of plants thrive in most household environments, but cannot tolerate temperature fluctuations well. Avoid cold drafts from air conditioners or windows, and warm drafts from radiators.

4. Water the soil using a watering can with a long spout to prevent wetting the foliage. While ivy can handle moisture on its foliage, the leaves of African violets become susceptible to fungal diseases if droplets of water remain on them for long periods of time. Provide water at room temperature when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feels dry. Avoid over-watering the soil, but irrigate deeply enough to keep the soil evenly moist.

5. Prune spent flowers on the African violet and pinch dead and damaged leaves to maintain its appearance. Ivy grows quickly, trailing over the edges of the planter, so snip it to your desired length frequently.

6. Inspect the plants for pests such as mealy bugs, aphids and spider mites. Treat pest infestations immediately to prevent damage and spread. Rub plant parts with cotton dipped in alcohol, or spray neem oil over infestations.

7. Feed African violets two times a month during the growing season. Apply a water-soluble fertilizer specifically formulated for African violets and pour it over the roots of the plants. Ivy does not need a special fertilizer and a teaspoon of all-purpose, time-release fertilizer annually.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension; English Ivies to Know and Grow; R.W. Henley, et al.; 2009
• Clemson Cooperative Extension; African Violet; Nancy Doubrava, et al.; June2009
• African Violet Society of America: Basic Care for African Violets; Jean Marie Ross; March 2001
• Clemson Cooperative Extension; Ivy; Marjan Kluepfel, et al.; May 1999