The 10 Best Indoor Ivy Plants for Your Home – Guide to Growing Indoor Ivy Plants

The Best Indoor Ivy Plants for Your Home

If you’re looking to add some low-maintenance greenery to your indoor spaces, ivy plants are an excellent choice. As anyone with indoor plants knows, not all varieties thrive inside. But ivy has a special ability to adapt to low-light conditions, making it well-suited for life out of the sunlight. In this article, I’ll discuss some of the top ivy varieties for indoor use and provide tips to help them flourish in your home.

English Ivy

English ivy (Hedera helix) is perhaps the best known indoor ivy and for good reason – it’s extremely tolerant of low light and very difficult to kill. From my experience, English ivy thrives in conditions where other plants struggle to survive. Its leaves remain deep green year-round even with minimal sunlight. English ivy grows well trailing along shelves, hanging in pots, or trained onto a support. It’s a fabulous choice for offices or other spots with little natural light.

Swedish Ivy

Swedish ivy (Plectranthus verticillatus) is as beautiful as it is easy to care for. Its thick, fuzzy leaves come in shades of dark green, creating an elegant texture. Swedish ivy grows more upright than a trailing ivy but is still perfectly suited to hanging baskets or perched pots. It tolerates low light and dry conditions admirably. Swedish ivy helps clean indoor air too by filtering out harmful chemicals and gases. I’d recommend this variety for bathrooms or kitchens with low windows.

Needlepoint Ivy

With its petite, fine-textured leaves, needlepoint ivy (Hedera helix ‘Needlepoint’) has a very dainty, lacy appearance. It makes an excellent choice for tabletop plants or hanging baskets. Needlepoint ivy thrives in medium to low light and retains its delicate tracery of leaves year-round. Although it grows more slowly than other ivies, its diminutive size and trailing habit make it well-suited to smaller spaces. In my experience, needlepoint ivy is quite content in an east- or west-facing window even in shadier rooms.

Tips for Growing Indoor Ivy

While ivy plants are very tolerant, following a few basic care guidelines will help your ivy flourish to its full potential inside.

Light

Ivies can survive in very low light but will grow best in a spot receiving medium to bright, indirect sunlight. East-, west-, or south-facing windows typically provide suitable conditions. Rotate plants occasionally so all sides receive equal light exposure. Supplement lighting may help in deep shade.

Water

Allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings but don’t let it fully dry out. Water just enough to keep the soil slightly moist at all times. Ivy leaves may droop when thirsty but perk right back up after a good drink. Err on the side of under-watering versus over-watering to avoid root rot.

Feeding

Fertilize ivy plants every 4-6 weeks in the spring and summer using a diluted, all-purpose houseplant food. Offer half the recommended strength to avoid burn damage from over-fertilizing. Discontinue fertilizing in fall and winter when growth slows.

Pruning

Prune ivy periodically throughout the year to control size and encourage bushy growth. Simply trim off leggy vines or individual leaves that look old or damaged. Cut stems back to the node from which new growth will emerge. Ivy responds very well to pruning and fills out quickly.

Repotting

Repot ivy plants every 1-2 years in the spring or whenever roots begin to congest the nursery pot and protrude from drainage holes. Use a pot with drainage and a soil designed for houseplants.

Pests and Diseases

Indoor ivy plants rarely suffer major infestations. Minor issues may include occasional spider mites or scale insects, which can usually be managed with careful pruning and a neem oil spray. Rotting at the base of the stem indicates overwatering – simply trim away affected portions and improve drainage. Properly cared for, ivy endures very few illness woes inside the home.

Personalizing Ivy Decor

With all these easy-care varieties, you can get creative displaying ivy to add visual interest. Here are some ideas I’ve seen work well:

• Train ivy vines over simple wooden or mesh supports against a bare wall for an instant accent.
• Curl ivy vines trailing out of decorative pots, baskets, or terrariums on shelves or side tables.
• Let ivy grow up and around picture frames for an organic frame peeking out from foliage.
• Weave lengths of ivy in and out of ladder shelves, terra-cotta pots, or rustic twig wreaths hung on doors.

Ivy adds lively texture and organic grace to indoor spaces. With some attentive care, your ivies will flourish for years, bringing soothing greenery indoors all season long. Enjoy your new leafy companions!

I hope this article has helped provide answers to your questions about choosing the best indoor ivy varieties. Please let me know if you need any clarification or have additional queries. I’m always happy to discuss houseplants further!</

Top Indoor Ivy Plants

FAQ

1. What types of ivy grow best indoors?

   There are a few different sorts of ivy that do well inside homes and offices. English ivy is basically the most common choice and is pretty easygoing. Swedish ivy also does good inside and has neat rounded leaves. Needlepoint ivy has thin leaves that sort of resemble needles, so it’s an option if you want something a little unusual.

   

2. How much light does indoor ivy need?

   Ivy needs good light to flourish, but it can deal with a range of conditions. It will do okay in low spots that receive only indirect sunlight for part of the day. However, the more light exposure ivy gets, the better it will look. Places near an east or west window are usually ideal. Still, ivy sometimes seems to grow amazingly even in not very bright areas.

3. What kind of soil is best for indoor ivy?

   A potting mix for houseplants works well for ivy. The soil should drain well to prevent roots from sitting in water, yet retain enough moisture. A potting soil containing organic matter like compost provides nutrients. You can also use a cactus/succulent or an all-purpose potting mix. Different soil blends contain varied ratios of peat moss or bark to help retain moisture or allow drainage.

4. How often should I water indoor ivy?

   Watering frequency depends on the conditions, but as a basic rule, water indoor ivy when the top inch or so of soil becomes dry. Overwatering can cause root rot, whereas under-watering stresses the plant. Check soil moisture by sticking your finger an inch down. In warmer months when light is strong, you may need to water every 5-7 days. In low-light winter, every couple weeks could do. Monitor your ivy and water whenever the plant looks thirsty.

5. What are some potential problems with indoor ivy?

   Two common issues are mealybugs and spider mites. These tiny bugs feed on ivy sap and can cause yellowing leaves. Check folds and undersides regularly. If spotted, wipe bugs off with alcohol on a cotton ball. Indoor fungi like powdery mildew may also occur, perhaps from poor ventilation. Cut off affected areas and improve air flow. Ivy prone to dropping leaves at times, possibly if conditions aren’t quite right. It might just be adapting or perhaps needs more light or humidity.

6. How do I care for indoor ivy over the long-term?

   Occasionally trim off leggy parts to encourage bushier growth. Repot ivy every year or two in early spring when new growth starts, using fresh potting mix. Fertilize monthly in spring and summer with a plant food. Wipe leaves periodically with a damp cloth to remove dust. Maintain consistent moisture and light. With a little TLC, your ivy should remain as a lovely accent in your home for years to come!