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How to Care for English Ivy

Photo Credit
Pixabay
Botanical Name
Hedera helix
Plant Type
Houseplants
Sun Exposure
Part Sun
Shade

Growing English Ivy Plants: Watering, Lighting, Pests, and More

Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

There are hundreds of cultivars of the English ivy. It is a varied group with leaves in many shades of color and shapes.

Leaves are usually less than an inch to over 3 inches long. Some of the leaf shapes are flat, heart-shape, curly, and willow-like.

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Planting

  • Plant the ivy in a rich houseplant potting mix. 
  • Use a container with drainage holes.
  • Place the ivy in bright light, but not direct sun. It tolerates low to medium light, but growth is reduced and variegated varieties may turn all green.
  • English ivy prefers cooler temperatures, so keep it away from radiators, heating vents, and hot windows.

Growing

  • After watering the ivy, let the soil dry to the touch before watering again.
  • Spray the leaves with water weekly to discourage spider mites. 
  • Wipe the leaves periodically with a moist cloth to help prevent insect pests.
  • Fertilize in early spring and late summer with a houseplant fertilizer.
  • Most types of ivy stem cuttings will root easily in water.
  • Repot the ivy in a slightly bigger pot when it becomes root-bound or top-heavy.

Types

  • Hedera helix ‘Anne Marie’ has medium green leaves with a creamy white edge.
  • H. helix ‘Glacier’ is a common cultivar with silvery variegations and white margins.
  • H. helix ‘Gold Child’ is one of the more popular variegated ivies. It has soft green leaves with wide bright cream-yellow margins.
  • H. helix ‘Congesta’ is bushy with dark green leaves that are tightly and evenly arranged along a stem. 

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Pests/Diseases

  • Mealybugs, mites, aphids, whiteflies and scale insects are the most common pests of ivies.
  • Root rot can occur from a soil that does not drain quickly or overwatering.
  • Plant diseases are very rare.

Wit and Wisdom

  • The plant’s sap can cause skin rash.
  • Ivies can be trained to climb different shape frames such as hearts, circles, cones, or pyramids. Choose plants with long stems and weave them around the frame placed in the pot.
  • English ivy grown outdoors is considered invasive in a number of regions of the United States. The plant is on the official noxious weed lists in the states of Oregon and Washington.
  • The British herbalist John Gerard recommended in 1597 to infuse ivy leaves in water as a wash for sore or watering eyes. 

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About The Author
Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the website companion of The Old Farmer's Almanac. She covers gardening, plants, pest control, soil composition, seasonal and moon c...
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