Hedera helix (English Ivy) Care Indoors, Propagation and Growing Problems with Remedies

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English Ivy (Hedera helix) prospers in bright indirect light, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soils coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Hedera helix also called Common Ivy or European Ivy is one of the best plants for hanging baskets. It can also be grown as a climber on a trellis as a screen or in covering unattractive spots in the home or office.

English Ivy grows slowly in the first 2 years of establishment. Once well established, it grows vigorously and can quickly cover walls, trellis, fences, trees and other places where it can climb or trail. It can also be used as a ground cover under trees where grass cannot grow.

Common Ivy is among the hard to kill plants as it easily adapts to a wide range of growing conditions. On account of its trailing growth habits and ability to tolerate less than perfect growing conditions, Hedera helix, is one of the best plants for low-light small spaces.

Botanical name: Hedera helix
Family: Araliaceae
Common names: English Ivy, Common Ivy, European Ivy

Origin

Hedera helix is native to most of Europe and Western Asia. In its native habitat, it is a rampant clinging evergreen vine found in gardens, waste spaces, on walls, tree trunks and in wild areas.

Varieties

The general form of English Ivy is the characteristically lobed leaves. There are many variations on the basic pattern. The leaf edges are smooth or ruffled and colors vary from simple green to complex mixtures of white, cream, grey and yellow.

Air Purifying

According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Hedera helix was found to be among the best air-cleaning plants and gets rid of benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, toulene and trichloroethylene from indoor air which qualifies this plant among the best plants for a study table for boosting concentration and productivity.

Invasiveness

One drawback of English Ivy is that it can be invasive in some regions. Due to its aggressive nature, it can choke out some native species. Take caution when growing this plant and find out if it is acceptable in your region.

Toxicity

English Ivy is toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. If ingested, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains. Keep it away from the reach of children and pets.

Where to Buy

Hedera helix are charming plants to add to your collection. You may obtain these plants online from Amazon (Link to Amazon).

Hedera helix Care Indoors

English Ivy (Hedera helix) performs best in bright indirect light, average warmth of 16-26⁰C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soils coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

European Ivy requires regular pruning to keep it neat, to encourage a bushy growth as well as discourage pests infestation. Repotting is necessary every two years or when it has become root-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.

Light Requirements

English Ivy grows best in bright indirect light. Keep it away from direct sunlight as it may cause scorching of the leaves.

Where natural lighting is not adequate you may use grow lights to supplement it. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.

Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth as well as prevent leggy growth.

Watering

Water English Ivy thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 2 inches of soil to dry a little between waterings.

Decrease watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Do not allow the plant to sit in soggy soil as it can lead to rotting and death of the plant. Therefore, always ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.

Temperature and Humidity

The best temperature for English Ivy is a average warmth of 16-26⁰C. Protect it from cold and hot drafts to avoid sudden drops in temperature. Though it can adapt a wide range of temperatures, constantly high temperatures can damage the plant and cause its death.

Hedera helix has no need for extra humidity, moderate room humidity of 50-55% is sufficient for this plant. However, for lush growth and to reduce pest infestation, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity. Learn more on how to increase humidity for houseplants.

Occasionally clean the leaves under a stream of running water to get rid of dust as well as discourage pest and infestations.

Potting Soil

The best soil for English Ivy should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most all purpose potting mixes are ideal for the plant.

Fertilizer

Feed English Ivy monthly during the growing season with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer for a lush growth. Stop feeding during the cold season as growth is reduced at this time.

Repotting

Repot English Ivy every two years during the growing period or when it has become root-bound. Use a pot that is 1 size larger than the current one. Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot.

Hedera helix is perfect in a hanging basket where the the stems can cascade downwards beautifully. Take a look at these hanging planters with macrame hangers on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning English Ivy involves removal of yellow and dead leaves to maintain the plant neat as well as discourage pest infestations. To encourage a bushy and compact growth, pinch off the growing tips. The tips can be used to propagate new plants. Cutback leggy stems to rejuvenate growth.

Propagation

English Ivy (Hedera helix) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings. The stem cuttings root easily so there is no need for rooting hormone. Rooting of the cuttings can be done in 3 ways as follows.

How to propagate English Ivy from stem cuttings in soil

Take stem cuttings of about 4-5 inches length from a healthy English Ivy. Insert the cuttings in moist rooting soil.

Ensure the rooting container has adequate drainage to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.

Place the set up in a warm, brightly lit place and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges.

When substantial growth has been observed, transfer the new plants to individual pots and begin routine care.

For a fuller Common Ivy, transfer several cuttings into one pot.

How to propage English Ivy from stem cuttings in water

Take cuttings of about 4-5 inches length from a healthy English Ivy plant. Place the cuttings in a jar of plain water and place in a well-lit spot.

Change the water every 5-7 days until when a good amount of roots have formed.

Transfer the rooted cuttings in moist potting soil. Ensure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.

Position the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges.

Once substantial growth has been observed, transfer the new plants to individual pots and begin routine care.

For a fuller European Ivy, transfer several cuttings into one pot.

How to propagate English Ivy by spreading the stems on the soil

Spread the English Ivy stems on the soil surface while still attached to the mother plant. The stems will root at every point they come into contact with the soil.

Once rooted, sever the stems, dig them up and pot in moist soil in individual pots.

Place the new English Ivy in a warm, brightly-lit spot and maintain the soil moist until well established after which routine care can begin.

Hedera helix Problems Indoors

English Ivy (Hedera helix) problems include leggy growth, brown leaf tips, loss of variegation, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Undersized leaves and leggy growth

English Ivy bearing undersized leaves and showing leggy growth is receiving too little light. Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light. You may instal a grow light if the natural light is not sufficient. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.

However, naturally, the mature leaves at the base will drop with age. Cutback the bare stems to rejuvenate growth.

Brown, dry leaf tips and edges

Brown, dry leaf tips and edges and stunted growth in English Ivy is a sign of spider mites infestation as a result of too dry air. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to elevate humidity to discourage the pests. In addition, remove dead growth to minimize infestation as dead foliage acts as a breeding ground for these pests.

Pests

Common pests in English Ivy are spider mites and aphids. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat it for the pests.

Diseases

The common diseases in English Ivy are leaf spot and root-rot which are prevalent in overwet conditions. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of the plants and treat it for the diseases.

Loss of variegation

One possible reason for a variegated English Ivy turning all green (loss of variegation) is too little light. Move the plant to a brighter spot and ensure it is receiving bright light or instal a grow light if the natural light is not sufficient.

The second reason for loss of variegation in variegated English Ivy is inadequate growth space if the plant is pot-bound. Repot the plant into a pot one size larger than the current one. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting and death of the plant.

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