The Complete Guide to Caring for Your Indoor Ivy Plant
If you’re looking to add some lush greenery to your home but want a low-maintenance option, indoor ivy plants are a great choice. As someone who has struggled with keeping other houseplants alive, I’ve found ivy to be quite resilient. In this article, I’ll cover all the basics of indoor ivy care to help your plant thrive.
Choosing the Right Ivy Variety
There are many ivy species suitable for indoor growing. Some popular varieties include:
- English ivy (Hedera helix): A vigorous climber with glossy green leaves. Tolerates low light.
- Swedish ivy (Plectranthus verticillatus): Variegated foliage in shades of green and white. Less demanding than English ivy.
- Lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus radicans): Trailng stems with colorful red “flowers.” Thrives in bright light.
Consider how much light you can provide before choosing. English ivy is most forgiving of low light, while lipstick plant needs bright indirect sun. Avoid poison ivy, which is not suitable for indoor growing.
Light Requirements
As with any houseplant, adequate light is key for ivy to photosynthesize and thrive. Most varieties do best in medium to low light conditions, such as east or north-facing windows. Too much direct sun can scorch leaves.
If light is limited, English ivy or Swedish ivy may be your best option. You can also supplement windows with a grow light during low-light months. From experience, a few hours under a light makes a big difference for my ivies struggling in winter.
Watering
Ivies have a reputation for being very tolerant of under-watering, but their growth rate will decline without sufficient moisture. The soil should dry out slightly between waterings before getting soggy.
A good rule of thumb is to water when the top inch of soil is dry. Mist leaves periodically to increase humidity around the plant. Err on the side of under-watering at first until you learn your ivy’s needs. Overwatering causes root rot, which is basically game over.
Soil and Fertilizing
Ivies grow well in ordinary potting soil but will thrive with additions to the soil like peat moss or compost. These organic materials help retain moisture. Re-pot into a slightly larger container every couple years as the plant outgrows its space.
Feed monthly in spring and summer with a houseplant or all-purpose liquid fertilizer diluted to half or quarter strength per label instructions. Too much fertilizer can burn leaves.
Pruning and Training
Ivy grows rapidly and may need periodic pruning to maintain a desired shape. Cut stems back by a third using clean pruning shears. The plant will bush out fuller.
You can let ivy vines trail or train them up a support structure for visual appeal. I’ve used stakes, trellises, and picture frames quite successfully. Make sure the plant doesn’t drape off and touch the floor where it may get walked on.
Pests and Disease
Indoor ivies generally stay pest-free with good care. Keep an eye out for signs of pests like spider mites or mealybugs. Any bugs can be washed away with a gentle spray of water.
If leaves yellow or brown spots develop, it may signal disease from over- or under-watering. Improve care and isolate the plant if issue persists. Cut and discard any diseased foliage to stop spread.
Humidity and Temperature
Ivies prefer average indoor humidity levels between 40-60%. Use a pebble tray, humidifier, or group plants together for extra moisture. Avoid very dry heat like near registers where leaves may crisp.
Most tolerate household temperatures between 60-80°F. Protect from drafts or near doors/windows where extremes can cause leaf drop.
Propagation
Ivies root easily from stem cuttings for unlimited new plants! Use 4-6″ stems with a few leaf nodes, remove lower leaves, and place cut end in water. Once roots form in 1-2 months, pot up in soil. You can try rooting directly in moist soil too.
Common Issues
From my experience, the main ivy plant care problems come from inconsistent watering. Too little and leaves brown at edges, too much causes mushy soil. Give your ivy average home conditions and it will thrive near effortlessly for years!
I hope this guide has covered any questions you may have had about how to care for your indoor ivy. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional queries! Proper light, water and pruning is usually all that’s needed for your ivy baby to look it’s luscious best. Happy growing!
Indoor Ivy Plant Care Requirements
| Plant Type | Water Needs | Light Requirements | Growth Rate | Toxicity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Ivy | Moist but not soggy. Water when top inch of soil is dry. | Moderate, bright indirect light. | Moderate, vines can grow 6 inches per year. | Non-toxic |
| Swedish Ivy | Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. | Low to moderate, tolerates low light. | Slow, vines grow 3-6 inches per year. | Non-toxic |
| Poison Ivy | Moist but well-draining soil. Water when top inch is dry. | Part shade to full sun. | Fast, can grow over 12 inches per year. | Highly toxic, causes rash. |
| Pothos | Let top inch of soil dry before watering. | Low to bright indirect light. | Moderate, vines grow 6-12 inches per year. | Non-toxic |
| Philodendron | Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. | Low to bright indirect light. | Moderate, vines grow 6-12 inches per year. | Some varieties mildly toxic if eaten. |
FAQ
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How often should I water my indoor ivy plant?
Most indoor ivies like to dry out a bit between waterings, so water them when the top inch or two of soil is dry to the touch. Basically, wait till the soil is not soaking wet anymore. Be attentive to signs like drooping leaves – that’s a sign it may need a drink! I’ve found once every 7-10 days is usually sufficient for mine. But each plant is different, so pay attention to yours.
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What kind of light does ivy need?
Ivies prefer bright, indirect light. Direct sun can scorch their leaves, so avoid putting them in a south-facing window. Sort of dappled or diffuse light is usually best. Mine has done well near an east-facing window where it gets nice morning sun. At the same time, they won’t thrive in very low light conditions either. You want the light to be bright enough that new growth remains compact.
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How do I care for an ivy that’s dropping leaves?
If an ivy suddenly starts dropping a lot of leaves, check the soil. Strong possibility it’s too wet. Remove it from the pot and check the roots for root rot. Slide off any mushy, dark brown roots with a clean knife. Repot in fresh soil with good drainage and wait till it’s almost dry to water again. Cross your fingers it perks back up with the care. Might also be a light issue – maybe it’s not getting enough. Check light exposure too.
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What kind of fertilizer should I use for ivy?
A weak, water soluble all-purpose houseplant fertilizer works well for ivy every few weeks during the spring and summer growing seasons. I’ve used a 5-10-5 formula before at half the strength recommended on the label. Perhaps too strong of fertilizer can cause leaf drop too. Best to go lighter at first. You want the new growth to remain small and full. Check package for application guidelines.
FAQ
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How often ought I give water to my indoor ivy plant?
Most indoor ivies prefer to dry out a bit in between waterings, so drench them when the top inch or two of soil is dry to the touch. Basically, wait until the soil isn’t soggy anymore. Pay attention to signs like drooping leaves – that’s a signal it may need a drink! I’ve found one time every 7-10 days is generally adequate for mine. But each plant is different, so watch yours.
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What kind of light does ivy require?
Ivies favor bright, indirect light. Direct sun can scorch their leaves, so stay away from putting them in a south-facing window. Sort of dappled or diffuse light is commonly best. Mine has done well near an east-facing window where it gets nice morning sun. However, they won’t thrive in very low light conditions either. You want the light to be bright enough that new growth stays compact.
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How can I care for an ivy that’s dropping leaves?
If an ivy suddenly starts losing a lot of leaves, inspect the soil. Good chance it’s too wet. Remove it from the pot and check the roots for root rot. Slide off any mushy, dark brown roots with a clean knife. Repot in fresh soil with good drainage and wait until it’s almost dry to water again. Cross your fingers it perks back up with the care. Maybe also be a light issue – perhaps it’s not getting enough. Check light exposure too.
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What type of fertilizer should I use for ivy?
A weak, water soluble all-purpose houseplant fertilizer works well for ivy every few weeks during the spring and summer growing seasons. I’ve used a 5-10-5 formula before at half the strength recommended on the label. Perhaps too strong of fertilizer can cause leaf drop too. Best to go lighter at first. You want the new growth to remain small and full. Check package for application guidelines.