IVY

Ivy can make a wonderful, bright light houseplant. It can grow long and lush and bring a bit of the outdoors inside. Growing ivy indoors is easy as long as you know what makes an ivy plant happy. Let’s learn a little bit more about ivy and proper ivy plant care.
Ivy houseplants can actually be one of several different varieties. These include: English ivy (Hedera helix), Irish ivy (Hedera hibernica), Japanese ivy (Hedera rhombea), Algerian ivy (Hedera canariensis), Persian ivy (Hedera colchica), Nepal ivy (Hedera nepalensis), Russian ivy (Hedera pastuchovii).

English ivy cultivars are the most common type of ivy grown in the home, but all can be found if you look hard enough. Each of the varieties of inside ivy plants also come in several different cultivars. This means that there is a dizzying array of ivies that you can choose for your home, depending on your preference for color (all shades of green or variegated with white, yellow, gray, black and cream), leaf shape and growth habits.

WATER

Don’t let your ivy topiary become dry. Check the soil surface every other day and give your plant a thorough drink when it is starting to dry out. Don’t let water build up in the saucer, allowing your plant to sit in it. Ivy also likes humidity and will appreciate occasional misting.

LIGHT

A bright, indirect light is best for your ivy – hot, direct light may burn the foliage. Topiaries also prefer cooler temperatures – be careful not to position them where a heater vent will blow on them.

FERTILIZER

Fertilize twice a month during the growing season (early spring to fall) with an all purpose fertilizer. This will keep your plant green and beautiful.

TRIMMING

Shape can easily be maintained with a series of pinching back and tucking in shoots of foliage.

PESTS

To guard against pest invasions, such as spider mites, wash the top of the plant monthly in a dishpan of soapy warm water (1 tsp./gal. water). For best results dunk the whole top of the plant. let some soap dry on the leaves. In addition, a systemic insect control is strongly recommended