Hedera Hang “ivy” Plant

Description

The beautiful, fast growing ivy (Hedera) – for all around the home, be it hall, bedroom or bathroom. Hedera will also thrive in the garden or on the patio! This strong plant with its decoratively marked leaves is easy to grow.

Ivy (Hedera helix) comes from the temperate climes of Europe. It grows in woods and forests climbing through the trees but is just as happy creeping along the ground.

Hedera is self climber, the stems have small suction cups at regular intervals along the stems which helps them to attach onto any surface, they are not feeders.

Indoors, Hedera is often grown as a hanging plant too – which is not a problem for this plant and it will look very decorative.

New research has classified Hedera into the ivy family (Araliaceae).

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Temperature :

Prefers cooler indoor conditions between 12–22°C. Avoid hot, dry air and keep away from heaters.

Lighting preference :

Thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate some shade. Variegated varieties need more light to maintain leaf color.

 Irrigation of water :

Keep the soil evenly moist, watering when the top layer feels dry. Reduce watering in winter. Do not let the soil stay soggy.

 Humidity :

Prefers moderate to high humidity. Mist the leaves occasionally to prevent drying.

Fertilization and feeding :

Feed every 2 weeks during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer. No need to fertilize in winter.

 Flowering :

Rarely flowers indoors. Mainly grown for its lush, trailing foliage.

 Soil :

Well-draining potting mix works best. A blend with peat moss and perlite is ideal.

 Toxicity :

Toxic if ingested by pets and humans. Can cause stomach upset and skin irritation.

 Pot Size :

Adapts well to hanging baskets or pots. Repot every 1–2 years as roots expand.

Pruning :

Prune regularly to control length, encourage bushiness, and remove any damaged leaves.

 Diseases :

Can suffer from spider mites, aphids, or scale, especially in dry air. Also prone to root rot if overwatered.

 Air Purification :

Excellent air purifier, known to remove toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from indoor air.

Extra tips

• The ivy is a vigorous plant that adapts well to all situations but given too little water it will possibly lose its leaves and look less attractive.

• If a shoot gets too long and bare, just cut it back and the plant will rejuvenate.

• Give the ivy something to climb up if you want it to climb. Bamboo canes will suffice but a ready made climbing frame can look good.