What does Swedish ivy look like in the summer?
Leaves on a growing Swedish ivy plant are glossy with scalloped edges. Tubular mauve to white flowers appear in spring throughout summer but these are not nearly as showy as the dramatic foliage. The easy care of Swedish ivy houseplants make them great for even the most novice of gardeners.
Is Swedish ivy a type of Ivy?
It is not actually an ivy, but rather a member of the large family Plectranthus. Swedish ivy, P. australis, is bright green with scalloped edges and round leaves. It produces tiny white flowers in the sun and can sometimes produce flowers indoors. However, it is mainly grown as a leaf plant.
What do ivy leaves look like?
Ivy plants generally have lobed leaves that will climb along with trees and other structures. Depending on the variety of the ivy plant, the size, shape, and color of the leaves will vary. Ivies are generally lumped in the botanical genus Hedera that makes evergreen leaves that grow very quickly.
Is Swedish ivy easy to care for?
Tubular mauve to white flowers appear in spring throughout summer but these are not nearly as showy as the dramatic foliage. The easy care of Swedish ivy houseplants make them great for even the most novice of gardeners. Learning how to grow a Swedish ivy houseplant is not at all difficult.
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What is the name of the ivy that grows in containers?
Also known as Swedish begonia and creeping charlie (not to be confused with the creeping charlie weed ), many gardeners incorporate this ivy as an annual into containers or use it as a groundcover in the garden. Leaves on a growing Swedish ivy plant are glossy with scalloped edges.
What are the leaves on Swedish ivy?
Leaves on a growing Swedish ivy plant are glossy with scalloped edges. Tubular mauve to white flowers appear in spring throughout summer but these are not nearly as showy as the dramatic foliage. The easy care of Swedish ivy houseplants make them great for even the most novice of gardeners.
Where does Swedish Ivy grow?
Image by Mariya Chichina. Swedish ivy ( Plectranthus australis) is a popular hanging basket houseplant native to northern Australia and the Pacific Islands. The plant is favored for its lovely trailing habit.
Does Swedish ivy grow in indirect light?
Given these conditions, this plant will grow very rapidly with little Swedish ivy care or maintenance being necessary .
What is a plectranthus plant?
This plectranthus is upright-growing and forms a bushy, multi-branched plant with small, round felted leaves at the ends. This plant is said to repel slugs.
What is a P. forsteri?
P. forsteri is a variegated Plectranthus that has larger leaves. It has 6 cm wide leaves and very dark green leaves with white margins. This variety is often sold in greenhouses in spring.
What is a good plant to use for a patio?
In my summer garden, I use several plectranthus to fill patio containers. One of my favorites is P.argentatus. It has silvery-felted leaves that are produced from trailing branches. These plants can be used as a filler for other plants in containers.
What is the name of the Swedish ivy?
There is also a variety of Swedish ivy called P. coleoides. It has similar-shaped leaves to the common Swedish ivy, but it is darker green and has white edges. It is bushy and has long trailing stems.
How tall does a sage plant grow?
The growth habit is a sprawling evergreen plant with white-edged leaves that can grow to 12 inches tall.
Where was Plectranthus discovered?
Plectranthus, a large genus in the mint family (Lamiaceae), is an ancestor of the mint family (Lamiaceae). It was discovered in South Africa.
Where to grow a sage plant?
Use: This plant is best grown in a container on windowsills, porches, shaded patios or hanging from trees near walkways.
Why is my Swedish Ivy wilting?
Wilting – If your entire Swedish ivy plant is wilting, and does not recover when you water it, root rot is likely the cause. To recover, take stem tip cuttings from the healthiest branches of your plant and root them in a clean rooting media. It's best to dispose of the diseased parent plant.
What is the color of Swedish ivy?
Most varieties of Swedish ivy ( Plectranthus australis) have glossy green leaves with scalloped edges; the 'Variegata' selection has white markings along the edges of the leaves providing an attractive accent to the green. Swedish ivy produces white or light purple blooms off and on throughout the year.
How cold can Swedish Ivy grow?
Swedish ivy does best in average temperatures and moderate light year-round. During the winter, this plant can tolerate lower temperatures (40 degrees and up) for short periods of time, but it will need to be brought indoors to protect it from freezing temperatures.
What does it mean when a plant has white fluff?
Cottony masses on your plant – White bits of fluff on stems and the undersides of leaves signify the presence of mealybugs. Swedish ivy is often the first plant in an area to be infested with these pests.
Why are my plants leaves pale?
Pale leaves and a webby material on leaf undersides – Spider mites may be the cause of your plant's troubles. Two applications of a insecticidal soap product product should help to get them under control. Be sure to follow any label instructions.
Why are my sage leaves dull?
Leaves are dull and droopy – It's likely your plant is receiving too much light and should be moved to a shadier location. Not blooming – A lack of blooms can be caused by too much nitrogen fertilizer and/or insufficient light.
Is Swedish Ivy a good plant for beginners?
Swedish ivy's tolerance of even severe pruning is another reason why it's a great plant for beginners. If your Swedish ivy isn't looking as healthy as it once did, there are some easy ways to troubleshoot your problems:
What is the name of the ivy that has a white flower?
Swedish Ivy is best known for its long, flowy stems that trail and spread as the plants mature. It sports glossy green leaves (sometimes tinged with yellow/white) and will usually have white or light purple flowers that bloom on and off throughout the year. It is officially called Swedish Ivy, but you may have heard of it as Creeping Charlie. As you can probably guess, it earned that name thanks to its creeping stems and spreading leaves.
How to raise humidity in Swedish Ivy?
You can use a regular ultrasonic mist humidifier or opt for a specialty humidifier from a plant store (like the Humidifier by Canopy from The Sill ).
How cold can Swedish Ivy survive?
Swedish Ivy can withstand temperatures as low as 40°F, but see that you always keep it at a warm 60-75 degrees as often as possible. It can handle moderately low temperatures, but one good spell of frost could very well wipe it out. Keep a room in your house nice and warm for your Swedish Ivy, and it’ll last you quite a while.
What is the best plant to grow indoors?
For all you plant lovers out there, Swedish Ivy is one of the next best plants for you to add to your at-home indoor garden. This plant will add a lovely splash of green to any corner of your home. If you have ever wondered what Swedish Ivy is, where it hails from, and how to take care of it, you have come to the right place!
How to treat a plant for pests?
To treat your plant for pests, you can use something like neem oil or a similar organic pesticide. Those bugs are pesky, but if you are thorough in treating your plant, as well as keeping excess water away from your plant, you shouldn’t have to worry about pests too much. As for the other issues, just keep a watchful eye on your plant and look for the symptoms. You can adjust the plant’s position and environment as needed and your problem (s) may be solved right then and there.
What does it mean when your plant has a lot of holes?
The other things you really need to watch out for is too much light (leaves will start to droop), not enough light or fertilizer (few to no blooms), or cottony masses clustered around your plant accompanied by holes (which is a sign that spider mites or mealybugs have gotten to your plant).
Can Swedish Ivy grow in potting soil?
Swedish Ivy will thrive and be happy in pretty much any kind of high-quality potting soil you choose to use. It should, of course, be a well-draining one, because you don’t want to have still water sitting in your planter. As mentioned above, this could lead to the development of serious root rot. For the best results, look for an organic potting mix that contains perlite or pumice for drainage.
What is the best soil for houseplants?
Soil: A peat moss based potting mix is best, but any good potting soil should be fine. Fertilizer: Fertilize during the growing season every few weeks with a balanced houseplant fertilizer like 20-20-20. It shouldn’t be fertilized during winter.
What is the best houseplant to grow indoors?
Growing Swedish Ivy. Jon VanZile is a Master Gardener and the author of "Houseplants for a Healthy Home.". Swedish ivy ( Plectranthus.australis) is a simple houseplant that grows well indoors and requires little effort on your part to thrive. The ivy produces thick stems that grow erect before cascading, making the plant an ideal option ...
What is Swedish ivy?
Swedish ivy ( Plectranthus.australis) is a simple houseplant that grows well indoors and requires little effort on your part to thrive. The ivy produces thick stems that grow erect before cascading, making the plant an ideal option for hanging baskets. In a garden, the plant can also grow as a carpet beneath canopy-forming trees. It is also commonly called the Creeping Charlie.
How to propagate Swedish ivy?
Propagate Swedish ivy by stem tip cuttings, which can be taken in the summer after the bloom. Once its flowers have faded, pinch back its stem tips and then root them in damp potting soil. The ivy can also propagate through division, though cultivation through cuttings is recommended.
How to get rid of mealybugs on plants?
If your plant is infested, remove the mealybugs with cotton swabs by hand and treat the plant with insecticide. Spider mites can also be a problem. Watch out for pale leaves and webby mass on the underside of the leaves. Read More.
When does P. australis bloom?
P. australis blooms in the late spring or early summer and produces white or pale lavender flowers. It generally grows to about a few feet as its foliage drops. It lives for three to five years.
Is Swedish ivy a houseplant?
Swedish ivy ( Plectranthus.australis) is a simple houseplant that grows well indoors and requires little effort on your part to thrive. The ivy produces thick stems that grow erect before cascading, making the plant an ideal option for hanging baskets.
How to identify ivy?
To identify different types of ivy, you would look at its distinctive shape. Ivy plants generally have lobed leaves that will climb along with trees and other structures. Depending on the variety of the ivy plant, the size, shape, and color of the leaves will vary.
What is the most common type of ivy?
English Ivy is the most common type of ivy and is also called the Hedera helix. It can survive in cold and low-light situations. Since it makes for a great all-year ivy, many people choose this type of ivy to add to their decorative gardens. During the Christmas season, some people even use English Ivy for their ornaments. The English Ivy plant is popular with growing up the sides of homes and buildings and adds bright green color wherever it grows.
How does an ivy grow?
For the ivy to move from the child to adult stage, it has to climb a structure, such as a fence or a wall. When the ivy starts growing up a structure , it will develop its woody vines.
What is needlepoint ivy?
Needlepoint Ivy is an evergreen ivy that is elegant with its beauty by having dark green leaves and sharp pointy lobes. Even though the leaves on the smaller side, are set too close together. The needlepoint ivy is great if you want to hang baskets or other types of containers, or as a ground cover vine if you want it to climb a structure.
Where does ivy get its name?
Many ivy plants get their names from native countries such as Asia, Africa, and Europe. The different types of ivy plants are English, Boston, Irish, Bettina, Himalayan, Persian, Algerian, and Needlepoint ivy.
How tall does Algerian Ivy grow?
If Algerian Ivy is grown in the right setting, it can grow up to forty feet. They can grow up walls and grow on the ground. They can grow in just about any type of soil whether it’s clay, sand, chalky, or acidic. Algerian Ivy prefers settings without drying winds, so sometimes it must shelter itself.
What is the best plant to grow in a garden?
Ivy is a type of plant that grows best for ground cover or climbing up structures such as buildings or trees. They are a fast-growing plant that grows great in both indoor and outdoor settings. You can plant your ivy to grow up structures or cover arbors in your garden.
What causes yellow leaves on plants?
Although there are more than 275 species in the U.S., only two -- the citrus mealybug and the longtailed mealybug -- cause most of the yellowed leaves, abnormal growth, early leaf fall or plant death. They also secrete honeydew, a sweet liquid waste product that sticks to the plants.
Why is my Swedish Ivy turning yellow?
Root Rot. Overwatering is most often the culprit in cases of root rot, although poor drainage and plant overcrowding may worsen the problem. Swedish ivy may appear wilted, or the lower leaves may turn yellow or fall off, and the plant doesn’t perk up after you water it. Once the rot has started, it is difficult to stop, ...
What causes a speck in my Swedish ivy?
Tetranychidae, a member of the arachnid family, can cause specks on your Swedish ivy’s leaves, along with bronzing, leaf loss or plant death. After laying their eggs near leaf veins, spider mites bite into cell walls of the leaves and extract the inside contents, with most of their activity occurring during spring and summer. Because they are considered colonial pests, you will usually see large infestations. Treat plants with a spray of water to dislodge the mites from leaves and stems, or introduce natural predators, like the Western predatory mite, minute pirate bugs or lady beetles. Spider mites thrive in dry, dusty conditions, so keep the soil moist but not wet. Generally, chemical insecticides are not effective on spider mites, and they may discourage beneficial insects, so use miticides only as a last resort.
How to get rid of spider mites on plants?
Treat plants with a spray of water to dislodge the mites from leaves and stems, or introduce natural predators, like the Western predatory mite, minute pirate bugs or lady beetles. Spider mites thrive in dry, dusty conditions, so keep the soil moist but not wet.
How to stop rot in pots?
Once the rot has started, it is difficult to stop, so your best defense is prevention. Start with pots that you have soaked in a mild bleach mixture, using 1 cup of bleach to 9 cups of water, soaking the containers for at least 30 minutes. Follow that with pasteurized soil to ensure that it does not harbor diseases.
Is Swedish Ivy winter hardy?
Swedish ivy (Plectranthrus spp.) with its bright foliage and purple or white blooms, are winter-hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11, but they also work well as container plants overwintered indoors or as annuals in colder climates. While they are relatively free of problems, they can suffer from the same common issues as other houseplants.
