
English Ivy Plant Care Basics
- SOIL. When it comes to the right soil, Hedera Helix shows itself very forgiving. Any good potting soil will do.
- LIGHT. Some plants thrive well when blessed with the same amount of sunlight throughout the whole year. ...
- WATERING. During growing season, water your Hedera helix thoroughly. Between waterings, let the top layer of the soil dry out (not completely but almost).
- FERTILIZER. Fertilizing houseplants is a somewhat controversial topic. Many hobby indoor gardeners actually don’t fertilize their houseplants at all, yet they still seem to produce good results with that.
- Temperature. The English ivy likes it rather cool. During the day, aim for temperatures between 11 to 22 degrees (52 to 71 Fahrenheit).
- Humidity. The English ivy likes a good deal of humidity but also does fine in average room humidity. ...
- (Re)Potting. Repotting of your English ivy is best done in spring. When repotting, look for a pot that is about an inch taller than the actual pot.
- Propagation. Propagation of Hedera helix is an easy task. The easiest way to propagate Hedera helix is through stem tip cuttings.
How do you care for Hedera helix English ivy?
English Ivy Care: Water Requirements. English Ivy (Hedera helix) plants prefer an evenly moist environment. Water the plants freely during growth. Keep English Ivy houseplants moist in the winter. Spraying English Ivy with soft water weekly will help prevent spider mites from infesting the plants.
How do you care for English ivy in the winter?
Keep English Ivy houseplants moist in the winter. Spraying English Ivy with soft water weekly will help prevent spider mites from infesting the plants. English Ivy care requires the application of a balanced (20-20-20) liquid fertilizer monthly for enhanced plant performance.
How do you prune a hedera ivy plant?
Trim your Hedera Ivy regularly to keep it in shape. Snip off trailing vines that are just too long with a pair of sharp scissors or a pair of pruning shears to keep your plant looking full. You can prune (cut) your plant back by as much as half at a time -- you won't hurt this robust plant at all.
Is Hedera helix easy to care for?
Caring for English ivy (also known as Hedera helix) is a breeze and it’s an amazingly fast growing vining plant. The perfect way to add some green to those bare spots higher up! Keep reading for everything you need to know about Hedera helix care and growing this plant in your own home.

Do ivy plants need direct sunlight?
Most cultivars of ivy grow best in bright light, but not direct sun. They tolerate low to medium light, but growth is reduced and variegated forms may turn all green. To maintain the bright color of a variegated ivy, give it plenty of light.
How often should I water my Hedera ivy?
Water every 5 to 7 days depending on light and temperature. Keep soil evenly moist, but not soggy wet.
Is Hedera an indoor plant?
Cool, moist air and evenly moist soil will help your English Ivy thrive indoors. Protect it from drafts and heating vents. Mist the plant often to keep its leaves from drying out. Misting also helps to keep away spider mites that love to attack this plant.
How do you take care of an indoor ivy plant?
Here's how to care for it:It's happy in most light conditions but bright light is best.Unlike most plants, it prefers slightly cooler temperatures.Keep the soil moist but not soggy – check it regularly.It likes humidity, so it'll be happy if you mist it every other day.More items...
What does Overwatered ivy look like?
So, here's a thing that will throw you: If you overwater your ivy, the leaves will turn brown and dry on the edges. This symptom seems like the plant needs more water. The reason the leaves turn brown is that the plant roots are too wet and are basically drowning.
Where do you put ivy indoors?
The most important part of indoor ivy plant care is light. All true ivies need bright light. Variegated cultivars can take medium light, but be aware that their variegation will become less pronounced in less light. Without enough light, inside ivy plants will become leggy and sickly looking.
Why is my ivy plant dying?
A dying Ivy plant is usually because of under watering, over watering or because the Ivy is planted in a pot that is too small with limited access to moisture and nutrients. If your Ivy is turning brown and dying back this is most likely due to dry soil, too much sun and under watering.
Should I mist ivy?
“The roots do not burrow down deep into the soil, so if the soil is too deep it will not thrive.” Mast recommends misting the ivy up to three times per week, and washing it with lukewarm water every month to keep dust at bay.
Is Hedera ivy the same as English Ivy?
Hedera hibernica is also called Atlantic or Irish Ivy but is very similar to English Ivy and is generally called English Ivy by most people. These invasive cultivars of ivy are on the non-regulated noxious weed list in King County. Property owners are not required to control these species.
How do I know if ivy needs water?
Use your finger to test the top inch of soil; if the top inch is dry, the ivy is in need of water. Add water by pouring it onto the soil until the excess drains from the container. Use water that is lukewarm or water that is at least room temperature.
How do you know when ivy needs water?
How much water does ivy need? Water weekly during the growing season (spring and summer) and reduce watering in the fall when temperatures drop. It's time to water when the top inch of soil is dry. Make sure your ivy is potted in a well draining soil and a pot with drainage holes.
How do you water a Hedera?
2:334:31Hedera Helix | English ivy care - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI use the bottom watering method. So I also use it for distant. I really like this method because heMoreI use the bottom watering method. So I also use it for distant. I really like this method because he helps me get the water into the roots from below. And I also water from the top after I leave the
How often should you water English Ivy?
Water the ivy plant once the soil is dry. If it's dry, water the soil until it's saturated and wait to water again until the soil dries out. You'll probably have to water the plant 2 times a week. Avoid watering the plant so much that water pools in the bottom of the container. Over-watering can cause root rot.
Should I water ivy from the top or bottom?
Watering from the top can also encourage certain fungi and pests to move in, because the surface of the soil stays more moist, while the bottom method allows the surface of the soil to dry out first.
What are some good display options for Hedera Helix?
Hedera Helix looks great in various settings. The plant works very well in hanging baskets, looks great in pots and is also an eye-catcher when use...
Is Hedera Helix poisonous to cats and dogs?
Hedera Helix is poisonous to both cats & dogs. So, make sure to place this plant out of reach of your pets.
Does the English Ivy thrive well outdoors?
Absolutely. Especially in spring and summer, the English Ivy makes for a great outdoor plant. Because of its invasive nature, Hedera Helix needs to...
How old can get the English ivy get?
The English Ivy is one of these plants that can get really old. English Ivy in outdoor areas sometimes survives for more than 2 or 3 centuries!
What's the best temperature for the English ivy?
While many houseplants thrive in warmer temperatures, English ivy actually prefers colder temperatures (11 to 20 degrees). It is, therefore, best t...
How much light does my variegated English ivy need?
English ivy can thrive in various locations with various levels of sunlight. They generally tolerate both low and medium light but also thrive in b...
Is the English Ivy an invasive plant species?
Yes, the English ivy is aggressive and invasive. When grown as a houseplant, this is obviously not an issue. When grown outdoors, the vigorous grow...
Tip 1: Lots of humidity
Mist your Hedera Ivy 2-3 times per week to keep up the humidity. Once a month, give your Ivy plant a nice shower in lukewarm water to wash away any dust. This helps to prevent insect infestations (little pests love to hide in the dust) and boosts the humidity.
Tip 2: The right light
Your Hedera Ivy likes bright, indirect light—it’s beautiful, variegated leaves will become more pronounced and stunning with the brighter light levels.
Tip 3: Not too much water
Your Hedera Ivy prefers to be kept on the drier side, so only water when 25-50% of the soil volume is dry. Make sure you water thoroughly. and that there is no standing water left in the saucer.
Tip 4: Give it a hair cut
Feel free to trim up long runners to keep your plant bushy and full. Use sharp, clean scissors and carefully cut just below a leaf node.
How Do I Keep My Ivy Plant Healthy?
Pests such as spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs are common with ivy plants. Signs of pests might include fine white webs, white spots, and sickly-looking leaves. If you think you might have a pest problem on your indoor ivy plant, you can gently wash your plant’s leaves with insecticidal soap to remove them.
What Temperature Works Best for Ivy Plants?
Ivy’s do best with temperatures around 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the plant can still function fine outside this temperature range, but the 50-70 range is ideal.
How Much Sun Does an Ivy Plant Need?
Indoor ivy plants need a lot of light, but try and avoid full sun and direct light. Still, getting enough light is one of the most critical aspects of ivy care. Place your plant somewhere where it gets lots of medium-light to bright light, such as near a northern or eastern window.
How Often Should I Water my Ivy Plant?
Ivy plants do best with moist soil, so be careful not to overwater your plant. Always check your plant’s potting soil before watering and avoid having the plant sit in soggy soil. Soggy soil could lead to root rot or mold.
How Do you Fix Overwatered Ivy?
Luckily, ivy plants are pretty resilient, and overwatering is fixable. First, make sure that your pot has suitable drainage holes and always use potting mix. The drainage holes help the water run through the soil and dry out instead of creating pools of water.
How Do you Propagate Ivy?
Ivy plants are suitable for propagation, meaning that you can grow new plants from stem cuttings. When ready to prune your plant, cut a vine anywhere you’d like but directly above a leaf. Place the cuttings in a small glass of water for a few days until you see roots begin to sprout.
Conclusion – How to Take Care of an Ivy Plant
In summary, ivy plant care is relatively straightforward. Ivy plants do best with moist but not soggy water. They also enjoy medium bright light in the 50-70 degree temperature range. Finally, propagating an ivy plant is very easy, so you can keep adding more ivy around your home just from one plant!
How to grow English Ivy in winter?
Winter growth of English Ivy plants tends to be very long without bearing many leaves. Trim areas like this with lots of wood y growth but few leaves. For the plant to fill out properly during growth cut the stems down to strong growth areas.
When to root ivy cuttings?
More mature cuttings (adult growth) of 7-9 inches will produce a bushy “tree-ivy” type of growth but root very slowly if at all.
What are the problems with English Ivy?
Pests and pathogen difficulties may occur with English Ivy. Plant care and maintenance helps reduce these problems. Common pests affecting English Ivy plants are spider mites, aphids, mealybugs and scale insects. Red spider mites are often difficult to see without a close inspection. However, white webs formed on the plant are usually indicative of a spider mite infestation. Remove the infested leaves and treat the plant with a pesticide or insecticidal soap.
What is the white web on my ivy?
However, white webs formed on the plant are usually indicative of a spider mite infestation. Remove the infested leaves and treat the plant with a pesticide or insecticidal soap. Deer are an animal pest that may be problematic for English Ivy plants.
Is English Ivy a houseplant?
English Ivy ( Hedera helix) is a very common houseplant. The evergreen, woody-stemmed plants are often seen trailing across yards and gardens, climbing walls, or encouraged as climbers along a supporting pole inside homes for a beautiful and decorative houseplant accent.
Do English Ivy plants need light?
Native to light woodland areas, English Ivy houseplants thrive in an environment of bright filtered to low light. Ample light helps the leaves become more colorful but filter the light to prevent excessive heat which can lead to drying and poor performance.
How cold does Hedera Helix like?
During the day, aim for temperatures between 11 to 22 degrees (52 to 71 Fahrenheit). During the night, Hedera helix prefers colder temperatures.
What happens if Hedera helix doesn't get enough sunlight?
If that should be the case, simply cut off the deficient parts and move your plant to a location where the whole plant gets blessed with the same amount of sunlight.
Why are my Hedera helix leaves losing color?
If you do have a variegated Hedera helix (multi-colored, not just green leaves) and its leaves are losing the coloration, then the problem is most likely that your plant is not getting enough sunlight. Variegated houseplants generally need more sunlight than their classic counterparts.
Why are my English Ivy leaves turning brown?
If your Hedera helix is featuring numerous leaves with brown leaf tips, this could be due to either air that is too warm or air that is too dry.
Where is Hedera helix native to?
Also, average room temperature is a requirement during the propagation time. Hedera helix is native to Europe and western Asia. In Europe, this creeping wine is all over the place.
How to make sure my plants get the right amount of water?
Between waterings, let the top layer of the soil dry out (not completely but almost). A bulletproof method to make sure your plant gets the right amount of water is to simply stick your finger inside of the soil (about an inch deep) and see if it is dry there.
Do English ivy plants need more light?
The general rule of thumb for variegated houseplants is that they need more light than their non-variegated, green friends. That said, it is best to keep your variegated English ivy in a bright location. If the location is not bright enough, the leaves of your variegated Hedera helix will likely turn all green.
How cold does it have to be to keep an ivy alive?
If your indoor temperatures stay between 50°F and 75°F most of the year it’s not hard to keep your common ivy happy and healthy. Get colder than that in the ivy is going to go dormant.
What is common ivy used for?
Indoor Uses For Common Ivy. It’s also commonly planted on purpose around homes and on commercial properties to add a bit of decorative flair. Like any other self climbing vine, common ivy works well as a natural façade that requires very little maintenance.
What to do if the temperature is too high?
If the temperatures are going to get really high indoors it’s a good idea to make sure that you protect the soil in the root system with a bit of extra mulch. The same way that you would other heat sensitive houseplants – doing everything in your power to make sure that the soil isn’t going to dry out too quickly.
Where does common ivy grow?
Common ivy – sometimes called English ivy, European ivy, or just flat out ivy – is a very hardy vine that grows throughout the world, natively in Europe as well as Western parts of Asia, but can also be found indoors pretty much everywhere on planet. One of the coolest features of common ivy is that it is very much a “set it and forget it” kind ...
When do ivy vines turn red?
You aren’t going to see a lot of flowering when you are dealing with healthy common ivy, but you will be able to enjoy a pretty spectacular transformation in the fall (when temperatures start to get low) that turns these gorgeous vines a reddish, orangey, golden kind of color that is really something to see.
Does ivy grow anywhere?
Ivy does well in a lot of different temperature conditions, as evidence d by the fact that it grows pretty much anywhere and everywhere on the planet (within reason), but it really prefers temperatures that are a little bit on the cooler side of things most of the year.
Does common ivy have rhizomes?
Finally you have the rhizomatifera sub species of common ivy, a sub species that does have rhizomes (compared to the other two that do not). This variety has purplish black fruit like the helix sub species and is almost exclusively found in the southeastern region of Spain.
