Secrets of caring for indoor ivy at home: photos and advice from gardeners. Ivy
The ancient Greeks knew what they were doing. They often grew Ivy in their premises, because it brought the owner a happy marriage and longevity.
Ivy, (from Latin Hedera) - Hedera is a genus of plants belonging to the Araliaceae family (Araliaceae), is an evergreen climbing, liana-shaped shrub. Hedera's homeland is South-West Africa, about. Madagascar, Canary Islands, subtropical regions of Europe and Asia. In Russia, Hedera is common in the Crimea and the Caucasus, and is also found in Moldova.
The Russian name for hedera, ivy, comes from the word spit, according to the version of the Big Etymological Dictionary. It can be assumed that it received this name because of the bitter, unpleasant taste of the leaves.
More than 100 varieties of common hedera are grown indoors, for example, Helix Mix, Gloria de Marengo, Erekta and others. The ivy indoor plant is widely used by florists to decorate office spaces; it can be effectively used in vertical gardening or as an hanging plant, hanging in baskets or other architectural forms.
Story
Ivy is considered one of the ancient ornamental crops that was grown in ancient Rome and Greece. At festivals, wreaths were woven from it and the headdresses of poets were decorated; it also personified fidelity, successful marriage and immortality. This evergreen vine is long-lived; specimens are known to be up to 450 years old.
Distribution in nature
In nature, Araliaceae grow in shady forests, under tree crowns, on rocks, and often spread along the ground, so they are not demanding of light. The aerial roots of the plant are adapted to be held on any support, be it a tree or a rock. This allows him to climb to a height of about 30 meters. Aerial roots also help to obtain additional nutrition. 
Structural features
Hedera's main pride is its leaves, rationally arranged on flexible stems in the form of a mosaic. With this design, almost every leaf manages to receive maximum solar energy. Their shape is very diverse and depends on the type of ivy. In young plants, leaves are usually three or five lobed, closely spaced.
There are also variegated specimens with white or yellow stripes on a green background; due to lack of lighting, chlorophyll is generated in these veins.
Chlorophyll is an element that helps the process of photosynthesis proceed in low light, and is most often produced in shade-loving plants.
It blooms rarely and only at the age of 10-15 years. The bisexual flowers are inconspicuous and small, greenish-yellow inflorescences are shaped like an umbrella. The smell of flowers is very unpleasant, reminiscent of rotting meat.
After flowering, in late autumn, fruits are formed in the form of black or dark yellow berries containing from 3 to 5 seeds. The fruits are very poisonous, so the inflorescences should be cut off immediately after they appear.
Varieties of ivy.
There are about 15 types of ivies, let’s look at the main ones:
Canary (Hedera canariensis Willd.)
In some literary sources it is referred to as Algerian (Hedera algeriensis). Habitat: Northern Africa and Portugal. The fast-growing plant has strong stems with large, bright green leaves, colored with white and yellow spots. This species spreads well, covering the ground with a green carpet, and with the same success rushes up a vertical support, wrapping its branches around it. Since this species does not have aerial roots, it needs to be provided with reliable support and regular pruning. 
Colchis (Hedera. colchica)
Under natural conditions it grows in warm and humid regions of Transcaucasia, Asia and Iran. An evergreen creeping vine, using developed aerial roots, easily climbs a support to a height of up to 30 meters. The powerful stems are easily maintained at this height. Large shiny leaves reach a length of 25 cm, are leathery to the touch, whole in shape, sometimes three-lobed, and have a characteristic nutmeg smell. This species, like all Araliaceae, blooms in autumn. Foul-smelling, small flowers form an umbrella-shaped inflorescence. Very picky about the soil, it should be fertile and semi-shaded. 
Pastukhov's ivy (Hedera pastuchowii)
Habitat: Azerbaijan, Georgia, in Russia it grows only in Dagestan, both in the valleys and in the mountains, often at the edge of the forest.
This is a rare plant, listed in the Red Book of Russia.
Unlike other Araliaceae, this species is not able to anchor itself on rocks; it easily wraps around any supports, clinging to them with light brown aerial roots, therefore it is widely used in vertical decoration.
Whole, thin, leathery leaves reach a length of 10 cm, a width of about 6 cm. Their upper part is bright green, the lower part is much lighter. In the lower part of the plant the leaves are rounded, at the top there are various forms, ovate, rhombic, lanceolate, as well as mixed types.
The inflorescences, consisting of 5-20 flowers on long stalks, are covered with yellow and brown scales, in the form of stars and are collected in 3-8 pieces into spherical umbrellas.
The fruits are in the form of berries with a diameter of up to 10 mm, when ripe they become black with a purple tint. 
Common ivy (Helix)
Hedera Helix. It is found in nature in central and southern Europe, in southern Ukraine, in the beech forests of Transcarpathia, in ravines in the southern Baltic states, in Crimea and on the rocks of the Caucasus. Very responsive to diffused light and soil with a high content of mineral salts.
In England, this culture is used to decorate the facades of houses, in Russia, to decorate gazebos, terraces, fences, but mostly as a houseplant.
Leathery, glabrous, three to five lobed leaves have a dark green color with a large number of light veins and a creamy border, smooth to the touch, located alternately on the stem.
Small, bisexual flowers are collected in an umbrella-shaped inflorescence of pale green color. Large berries up to 10 mm, formed after flowering, are poisonous. They serve as good food for thrushes, tits, orioles and other birds. 
Care
It is not for nothing that the most popular indoor plant is indoor ivy, caring for it at home is very simple, and in general the flower is distinguished by its unpretentiousness. It does not like direct sunlight and prefers bright or semi-shaded places. Frequent movement of the loach, which changes the intensity and direction of the light flux, should also be avoided.
Watering
It should be done regularly with warm, non-chlorinated water, especially in spring and summer-autumn. The soil should be moderately moist; please note that the flower tolerates drought more easily than waterlogging. Comfortable growing temperature is about +18 degrees Celsius, indifferent to drafts and sudden temperature changes, but loves spraying and warm showers.
Top dressing
Carried out only during the spring-summer growing season. Like other plants, they apply nitrogen fertilizers in the spring, switch to complex fertilizers in the summer, and in preparation for wintering they fertilize them with potassium fertilizers no more than twice a month, in accordance with the instructions. Hydroponics has been successfully used to grow ivy.
The method of growing in hydroponics consists of replacing the soil with a substrate without nutrients, watering through the roots (the plant is constantly at a certain level in water) and applying special liquid fertilizers.
Transfer
Proper care has a beneficial effect on the growth of hedera; over time, the roots become crowded and they require a new pot, the size of which should be about a third larger than the old one. If you want to limit the growth of the stem, you can use a clothespin or trim the shoot. It should be replanted at least once every three years. A good signal for the need for replanting is the appearance of roots from the drainage hole of the pot.
The soil should be loose, consisting of leaf and turf soil in equal proportions and a small amount of sand. It is very important to ensure good drainage.
Reproduction
Cuttings
The most effective way to propagate hedera is by cuttings, which can be prepared during pruning of the plant. The length of the cuttings can be from 10 to 20 cm. They take root well in ordinary water at a temperature of no lower than 20 and no higher than 24 degrees Celsius; high humidity will be a good helper in the appearance of young roots. For their rapid formation, you can add a few drops of a growth stimulant used for growing seedlings. As soon as roots form on the cuttings, they must be transplanted into soil, the composition of which is indicated above.
Lead
You can also propagate by cuttings and shoots; to do this, you need to choose a healthy, long branch, make a cut in the middle of the stem and dig this place with earth, preferably securing it with a staple. After the roots appear, the branch should be carefully separated from the plant and transplanted into an individual pot. 
Dropping
A young shoot with at least 8 leaves is selected, placed in a pot of sand and pressed down so that it is completely immersed in the substrate, but the leaves must remain on the surface. After two weeks, roots will appear on the shoots; then the shoots must be transplanted into separate pots. 
Sowing
Ivy can also be propagated by seeds, which you can buy or wait for the berries to appear on your own plant.
The first thing to do is remove the seeds from the berries, wrap them in a soft cloth and soak for a couple of days. You can add a few drops of stimulant. After this procedure, the seeds are planted in pots filled with soil.
Since Araliaceae bloom very rarely at home, and growing from seeds is very labor-intensive and troublesome, propagation by seeds is practically not used.
Growing problems and their pest control
Application in medicine
The healing properties of hedera were known back in the Middle Ages; they were described in detail by Leonardo Da Vinci. Modern medicine turned to araliaceae relatively recently; only now the pharmaceutical industry has begun to produce drugs made from ivy. The plant contains substances that have bactericidal, antifungal properties and have an anti-inflammatory effect. Medicines made from the extract of this evergreen plant are used in the treatment of the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas.
Human interaction
There is no clear answer to the question: is it possible to keep ivy at home; there are so many legends and fables associated with this beautiful, evergreen vine. There is a belief that he drives men out of the house and destroys other flowers. There is also a completely opposite point of view. As the famous song says: “Think for yourself, decide for yourself to have or not to have...”. It's all about how you treat your pets. If you love flowers, do not deprive them of attention, invest your soul, talk to them, and rest assured, they will definitely reciprocate your feelings, will delight you with their beauty, give a positive charge of energy, taking away all the negativity from you. Indoor ivy is especially responsive to kind treatment. It has been noticed that it reacts sensitively to the energy of the room, especially to the health of its owner; if the flower droops for no reason, then this is a sure sign that something is wrong with you, it is better to pay attention to your health. Scientists have confirmed that this indoor vine not only reduces the level of harmful bacteria, such as staphylococci or influenza viruses, but also absorbs negative energy and protects people from electromagnetic waves from household appliances. This plant can be used to powerfully decorate the corners of the room and protruding parts of the interior; this will even out the energy balance of the room and make the living environment more comfortable.
Artificial vines pros and cons
This question cannot be answered unequivocally; probably artificial flowers also have the right to “life”. They often look brighter and more impressive, but all that glitters is not gold. Nothing can replace the joy of communicating with living nature. Let each person decide for himself what he needs. 
Little tricks
Ivy is an excellent decorative material; it can also be used to create unusual compositions, here is one of them. If you take a plant from the same family, for example “Fatsia”, and graft several shoots of hedera onto it, then after a while you will get an unusual willow-like tree.
Common ivy (Hedera helix), another name for climbing hedera. A bush with numerous climbing shoots, which are attached to the support with the help of aerial roots. The leaves are leathery, palmate, dark green in color. It begins to bloom quite late, at the age of 10–12 years. When flowering it produces inconspicuous, small flowers.
Warning.
The whole plant is poisonous, but the berries are especially dangerous.
Grows in the form of a tree or bush. Produces bright red berries.
Warning.
The berries are very toxic. When poisoning occurs, severe abdominal pain occurs and vomiting occurs. The man is acting excited. Heart rate increases.
Description
Different representatives have different leaf colors: dark green, yellow, cream, gray, silver or golden. In addition, the edges of the leaves may be marked with a yellow-cream or white-cream border. The stem has aerial roots, with the help of which ivy clings to various surfaces, grows and easily entwines them.
The flowering period usually occurs when the plant reaches the age of 10-12 years. Between August and November, yellow-green inflorescences appear, shaped like umbrellas, with an unpleasant odor. Later, poisonous blue-black berries grow in their place, reaching no more than 10 mm in diameter. The natural habitat of common ivy is the territories of Southern Europe, Asia and Africa with a subtropical climate.
You can also meet him in Crimea, the Caucasus, and the Baltic states. In nature it grows mainly in deciduous and oak forests, as well as lowlands and foothills. It is believed that common ivy is one of the most ancient plants cultivated for decorative purposes.
Currently, it is often grown in parks for landscaping walls, gazebos, arches and other vertical surfaces. Moreover, it is an excellent ground cover option for creating spectacular green carpets. Common ivy or any of its varieties can become a very interesting decorative element for interior spaces as well.
It is enough to insert an unusually shaped support into the pot and carry out pruning in a timely manner to get a beautiful plant. Ivy is no less attractive as a hanging option, if you simply plant it in a hanging pot. Some varieties can be used to form lush bushes if you pinch the tops of the plant in time.
Caring for home ivy.
If you don't know how to care for ivy, listen to our recommendations. One of the main advantages of ivy is its shade tolerance, because this is a rather rare quality for plants. House ivy can be placed at the back of a room and it will thrive there. This, unfortunately, does not apply to variegated forms, which just need good lighting, otherwise their leaves become uniformly green. Ivy is also undemanding when it comes to watering: it is easier for it to tolerate dry soil than excess moisture in the roots, so for those who love or have to leave home often, ivy is an ideal plant. However, the plant still needs moisture, and if your bouts of forgetfulness become too frequent, first a brown edge will appear on the edges of the plant's leaves, and then they will begin to dry out and fall off. Watering should be in summer so that the soil always remains slightly moist. In winter, the top layer of soil should dry out slightly.
Ivy does not like dry and hot air; the best temperature for the plant is 22-24 ºC. In winter, ivy can feel normal in a cool room with a temperature of at least 13 ºC, but in plants located near heating devices, the leaves on the stems grow at large intervals, which makes it unattractive, so caring for ivy in such conditions involves not only timely watering , but also daily spraying of the leaves with soft, settled water. When overwintering a plant in a hot room, it is best to place the ivy in a pot on a tray with wet pebbles or expanded clay. If the room is too hot in the summer, spray the plant as often as possible, sometimes give it a shower, also for hygienic purposes.
From March to August, twice a month, ivy is fed with complex fertilizer for decorative foliage plants, but keep in mind that excess fertilizer can lead to the loss of ivy's decorative qualities, since its leaves become too large. 
Planting and replanting hedera
If you notice that the plant has stopped growing and developing, or roots have begun to crawl out of the drain hole in the pot, then it is time to replant. However, you don’t have to expect the indicated signs, but simply replace the top layer of soil with fresh one (in adult plants), replant young ivy every year, and older hedera once every two years. It is recommended to use the following soil composition: sand, peat, turf, leaf and humus soil in equal proportions. Plants must be replanted in the spring after the end of the dormant period (March-April). The container should be 2-3 cm larger in diameter than the previous pot. Before replanting, the heder should be watered generously and a layer of drainage should be placed at the bottom of the flowerpot. The transplanted plant needs to be watered and sprayed, and then placed in a permanent place
Types of common ivy
Ivy(Hedera helix) is the most common species. It is so rich in various forms and varieties that it can satisfy the taste of even a very picky gardener.
Only “common ivy” has such decorative forms as winter (Irish), Baltic, Tauride, tree-like, palmate, graceful, bordered, marbled, miniature, tricolor, yellow-fruited, white-fruited and others. Small and variegated forms, differing in color, shape and size of leaves, are primarily suitable for cultivation.
Canarian ivy(Hedera canariensis Willd.), a creeping or climbing plant with large leaves, growing in North Africa, the Canary Islands, Portugal, Ireland; very popular as a houseplant. Perfectly decorates any interior, used for canopy, vertical and ground cover landscaping.
It is unpretentious to living conditions, but is less hardy than small-leaved house ivy and does not tolerate frost. This plant requires intense light and high humidity, especially in winter, but it should not be watered too much. Tolerates slight shade.
Colchian ivy (Hedera colchica K.Koch) is a liana-like shrub growing in the Caucasus, the Himalayan mountains, and Japan. Colchis ivy grows in shady, damp forests, climbs or spreads along rocks and climbs trees, completely covering their trunks.
Often forms extensive, dense curtains. A typical plant of the Colchis flora.
Ivy Pastukhov(Hedera pastuchowii Woron.), like other species, can be used as an ornamental plant in vertical gardening. In cultivation, ivy is usually propagated by cuttings.
It is found both in the lowlands and in the lower and middle mountain zones, most often on the edges and clearings of forests. Unlike many other species, it does not spread along rocks. Grows in Eastern Transcaucasia, Dagestan, and border areas in northern Iran; The northernmost location was discovered in the Novolaksky district on the border with the Chechen Republic. Pastukhov's ivy is protected and is listed in the Red Book of Russia and the Republic of Dagestan.
If you have Fatsia (a plant of the same family) in your collection, then you can try the following experiment. Several shoots of ivy are grafted onto an adult fatsia plant. The result is a very original “weeping” tree.
Ivy is an excellent honey plant, in the Caucasus it blooms in September, comparable to linden and edible chestnut. The liana is covered with small greenish-yellow flowers, collected in spherical umbrellas or brushes. In the center of each is a nectar disk. Bees, attracted by large inflorescences, aroma and nectar, collect autumn white honey from ivy.
It is very dense, it is even called “stone”, quickly “sits” (crystallizes), aromatic with a mint-menthol flavor. Honey is considered medicinal.
The fruit-berry, ripening in January-February, is first green, then black, inedible for humans, but serves as food for birds, which spread the seeds with droppings. Ivy greens provide valuable green food for wild and domestic herbivores throughout the winter.
Ivy- a medicinal plant. Its extract is included in drugs used for bronchitis, liver and gallbladder diseases, gout, rheumatism and others. But you should be careful: in case of overdose, poisoning is possible. 
Propagation of indoor ivy
Indoor ivy is propagated by apical cuttings, which are rooted in water. After the formation of new leaves, the cuttings are planted in a permanent place. To obtain a lush bush, several young cuttings are placed in one pot. At first, they can be trimmed without allowing them to grow in length. Thanks to this pruning, the plant will look compact while maintaining a spherical shape.
Propagation of ivy by apical cuttings.
The ends of the shoots, about ten centimeters long, are cut off from the ivy, planted in a mixture of sand and deciduous soil, covered on top with a transparent cap - a plastic bag or glass jar - and kept at a temperature of 15-20 ºC, keeping the soil moist, but not wet. Those cuttings that had aerial roots before planting take root best. The cuttings that have taken root are transplanted into pots with a soil mixture for adult ivy, several at a time. Ivy cuttings take root well in water.
Propagation of ivy by shoots.
There is a way to grow several shoots from one. To do this, cut off an entire ivy shoot with eight to ten leaves, make a longitudinal cut along it, lay the shoot on the sand with the cut down and press it to a depth of 1.5-2 cm, leaving the leaves above the ground. During germination, you need to ensure that the soil is moist. Within two weeks, the shoot should form roots along its entire length, as evidenced by the growing tip of the shoot. The shoot is removed from the sand, cut into pieces with roots and at least one leaf and planted three in one pot with a diameter of 7-9 cm.
Reproduction of ivy by layering.
How to grow ivy from cuttings? Exactly the same as from a shoot, only in this case the shoot is not separated from the mother plant before the start of the process and is not pressed into the soil, but a longitudinal cut is made on it and pressed against the surface of the soil with staples. Separate the cuttings when roots appear throughout the shoot and transplant them into a separate pot.
Indoor ivy. Diseases and pests
If the shape of the leaves is deformed and their surface becomes sticky, then the plant is probably infected with aphids. It is especially dangerous in the spring and summer. You can get rid of this pest by washing the plant with soapy water (10 g per liter of water) or treating it with an appropriate insecticide (for example, dilute 2 g of pyrethrum per 1 liter of water).
If small gray-brown spots appear on the upper side of the leaves, and a thin cobweb appears on the lower side, it means that the ivy has been affected by spider mites. It is necessary to increase the level of air humidity in the room, and treat the plant itself with an insecticide and regularly spray the leaves. Spraying the leaves with a prepared infusion of onion peels also works well.
If brown-brown spots are noticed on the underside of the leaves, and almost white on the front, orange thrips have settled on the plant. The result of their activity is yellow leaves, which soon dry out and fall off. Ivy must be treated twice with an interval of 7-10 days with pyrethrum (2 g of substance per 1 liter of water). 
If the plant begins to grow small leaves, it may not be receiving enough light. It is recommended to take care of a brighter place for good ivy growth in the summer or find an artificial source of additional lighting in the winter.
If the leaves suddenly turn yellow, you most likely need to reduce heavy watering, especially if the room temperature is low. If the tips of the leaves become brown and dry, it means that the air in the room is very dry or the temperature is high, and the watering and air humidity do not meet the standards.
Precautionary measures
At home, caring for the plant should be done with rubber gloves. Do not plant the bush in places accessible to children and animals, as the berries and leaves of ivy are very poisonous and can cause allergic reactions and skin diseases in people with sensitive skin. As can be seen from all that has been said, caring for indoor helix hedera is not so difficult; you just need to choose a suitable place for planting, do not forget about watering and periodically spraying. And then you will get a gorgeous plant that will decorate and enliven any room.
Ivy (Hedera) is an evergreen vine belonging to the Araliaceae family. The genus consists of 15 species and originates from the subtropics of the Northern Hemisphere. Under natural conditions, the plant lives under the crowns of trees of the first tier.
general description
Ivy is a creeping subshrub with thin flexible shoots, which usually reach a length of 10-15 m. Additional suction roots are formed on them, with which the stems cling to the support. Petiolate leaves are of two types: on flowering branches they are entire, elongated or ovoid, light green in color; on non-flowering branches they are dark, with angular lobes.
Ivy blooms with small greenish-yellow flowers, collected in umbrella inflorescences on the tops of the shoots. The fruits are round, blue-black berries up to 1 cm in diameter.
Ivy: types and varieties
- an evergreen vine with flexible creeping shoots and simple, alternate dense leaves, divided into 3-5 lobes, dark green in color and light veins. Has many cultural forms:
- "Hummingbird" is a miniature plant with tiny three-lobed leaves decorated with white patterns;
- “Mona Lisa”, “Eve” - the leaves are almost completely covered with yellow streaks;
- "Glesier", "Jubilee" have leaves covered with spots;
- "Ivalas" - ivy with wavy leaves;
- "Harold" - the variety has almost round leaves;
- Erecta is an ivy with erect stems on which the leaves are arranged in even rows.
Colchian ivy- a vine with thin stems and large glossy leaves, dense, dark green in color, about 25 cm long, no more than 17 cm wide. They are often whole, sometimes divided into three lobes, and smell like nutmeg. Some varieties:
- "Dentata Variegata" - oval leaves with a yellow edge;
- “Sulfur Heart” - light green leaves are slightly bent downwards, greenish-yellow stripes are located along the veins;
- “Tree-like” is ivy with drooping stems and oval leaves.
liana with leaves about 12 cm long and up to 15 wide, dark green in color and light veins. This type of ivy does not have aerial roots, so it requires support or regular pruning. Popular varieties:
- "Gloria de Marengo" has reddish shoots and three-lobed leaves with a whitish pattern along the edge;
- “Striped” - leaves with yellow or light green spots;
- "Brigitta" - leaves are star-shaped, small for this species and very dense;
- “Golden leaf” - leaves are two-colored, with a golden tint.
Ivy care
If you have to leave often and worry about your pets, ivy is exactly the plant that will suit you. It does not require much care, grows quickly and in a city apartment can grow up to 2 m or more. Ivy is one of the plants that purifies the air.
Temperature and lighting
The best temperature in summer is 18-20 degrees, and in winter - not lower than 12. At higher temperatures, the plant must be sprayed frequently.
Ivy grows well in bright indirect light, in partial shade and even in shade . In summer it needs shade from direct sunlight. Variegated forms require a lot of light; plants with dark, monochromatic foliage can grow even in deep shade.
Ivy is not afraid of sudden temperature fluctuations and drafts . In summer it will feel great outside in a shady place.
Humidity and watering
In summer, ivy requires abundant watering; the soil in the pot must always be slightly moist. In winter, between waterings, the substrate should dry well, but not dry completely. The plant is not afraid of short-term drying out, but if it becomes regular, it may shed some of its leaves. .
Ivy needs regular spraying, especially in the summer heat or during a warm winter with heating devices on. Responds very well to a warm shower. The plant can be grown hydroponically.
Fertilizer and feeding
During the growing season, use complex fertilizers containing increased doses of nitrogen and potassium 1-2 times a month.
Soil and replanting
Ivy requires light, loose soil, a regular-shaped pot with holes and a good drainage layer . He tolerates transplantation easily, but there is no need to do it often . Young specimens are transferred to a pot whose diameter is 15-20 cm larger than the previous one every 2-3 years. Old plants change the pot when the roots appear from the drainage hole or begin to protrude above the surface of the substrate.
Flowering and pruning
In potted culture, ivy blooms very rarely; its flowering is nothing special, but the berries are quite attractive.
You can grow ivy in the form of a bush, then its shoots are cut short in the spring and constantly limit growth. You can grow it as an ampelous plant, then in the spring the lashes are cut off, leaving about 30 cm. Ivy can twine around a support of any shape and quickly master it.
Bare branches are mercilessly cut out, leaving up to 10-15 cm; soon the plant will sprout new shoots. In any case, their ends are regularly pinched to make them more decorative. It happens that variegated varieties produce shoots with monochromatic foliage. They are cut out and thrown away .
Keep in mind that ivy clings to support with its roots. If it entwines itself with another plant, it will most likely “strangle” it. Ivy can ruin furniture that it has attached itself to with its roots.
Ivy propagation
Ivy easily takes root in water, sand, perlite or light soil at a temperature of 20-24 degrees and daily spraying, and it does not have to be covered with cellophane. Can be propagated by layering or pieces of stems with adventitious roots.
Pests, diseases and possible problems
- Ivy can be affected by aphids, thrips, scale insects, spider mites, and scale insects. Treat the plant with an insecticide.
- With a lack of light, new leaves will be small, and the color of variegated varieties will fade.
- The tips of the leaves turn brown and dry out when there is insufficient watering or dry air.
- Growth slows down when there is a lack of nutrients.
- The lower leaves fall off, but otherwise the plant feels good - a natural process.
- For allergy sufferers, skin contact with ivy can cause skin irritation .
Features of growing ivy in the garden or at home depend on the type of plant. Some vines prefer shady areas, heavy pruning and frequent feeding. Others grow well only in sunny places and do not like to be touched with pruning shears. To care for ivy in the way that proper agricultural technology suggests, you need to carefully study its biological characteristics and only then begin cultivation. Ivy - it is a genus from the Araliaceae family, native to the dry and humid subtropics of Europe, various regions of Asia and Africa. But, despite its southern origin, the plant is quite hardy. How to grow ivy and use it for landscaping is described in detail in this article.
What does an ivy vine look like (with photo)
Ivy appears as a climbing vine with leathery 3-5 lobed dark green or prominent veins. Evergreen leaves are exquisitely shaped - somewhat reminiscent of maple leaves, wedge-shaped or jagged - capable of creating striking contrasts. Ivy blooms at 7 years of age and older, and the further north the plant is located, the later this happens. Pay attention to the photo of ivy - the flowers of this plant are inconspicuous green-yellow, collected in umbrellas, which, in turn, form brushes:
Flowering - at the end of summer. The fruits, in the form of black berries, are poisonous to humans, but they look very impressive and remain on the shoots almost all winter.Various types of ivy are distributed everywhere, with the exception of the polar regions, deserts and alpine mountains, where climatic conditions are unfavorable for the development of long stems. However, the best conditions for them are the dry and humid subtropics of Europe, Asia and Africa, where they originated. Ivy belongs to the tendril-bearing vines with adventitious aerial roots. When describing the ivy plant, it is worth noting that their tendrils are very sensitive. Being at the ends of growing shoots, they make circular movements in all directions until they reach the support. Then they pull the shoot towards it, and they themselves twist into a spiral, thicken, become lignified and secure the shoot with a “living” spring. Ivy shoots with adventitious roots can rise to a height of 30 m. These photos show what ivy looks like in the wild:
Ivy plants attach themselves to tree bark and damp walls with aerial roots. And this allows them to create fancy walls of lacy foliage or fabulous tree trunks. Despite its subtropical origin, ivy is a very unpretentious crop. Being photophilous, they grow well in partial shade, do not suffer from low temperatures and tolerate heat. Variegated forms of ivy are more whimsical than those with green leaves. In hot weather, although they grow quickly, they lose their characteristic leaf shape. Next, you can familiarize yourself with the photos, names and characteristics of different types of ivy.
Types of ivy: photos, names and characteristics
In total, 15 types of ivy are common in Eurasia with huge leaves (15-20 cm) and miniature leaves, corrugated and smooth, in a variety of colors - yellow, gold, green, creamy white. In the western regions of Russia, in the Crimea and the Caucasus, common ivy grows wild in shady deciduous forests. As can be seen in the photo, in forests this type of ivy grows as a woody vine, the climbing stems of which climb tall trees with the help of sucker roots:
In mountainous regions, long strands of ivy stick with their roots to the slightest cracks and roughness of rocks, sometimes covering them with a continuous carpet. In central Russia, ivy can only withstand wintering under snow. In culture, common ivy is grown as an ornamental plant, decorative plant, and as a houseplant. Common ivy has evergreen climbing stems about 3-5 m long; in favorable conditions they sometimes reach 20 m or even more. The ivy stem clings to natural or artificial support (trees, trellises, frames, walls) with numerous aerial sucker roots. There are many varieties and forms of the plant. Leathery, shiny top alternate leaves of various forms of common ivy are whole or 3-5-lobed. Most often they are a noble dark green color with light veins. The leaves of some varieties of ivy are variegated. Of particular interest are the variegated forms with large and small golden yellow leaves. Inconspicuous greenish flowers sit in spherical umbels, collected in racemes or paniculate inflorescences. This ivy does not bloom in cultivation.
The fruits are very beautiful, but inedible berries, moreover, they are poisonous. When working with ivy, you should always remember that the plant is poisonous and no part of it should be eaten.
The most cold-resistant forms of common ivy grow in the Carpathians; they are not inferior in cold resistance to the Crimean and Caucasian wild varieties. However, when transplanted to regions north of their usual growing ranges, they grow somewhat more slowly.There are many varieties, garden forms and varieties of ivy. Thus, the Canary variety, native to the Canary Islands, has leathery, heart-shaped leaves, green with a white pattern.
Known variety "Gluard de Marengo", very decorative and vigorous growing.
The gray variety, originally from Afghanistan, has 6-7-lobed, seemingly uncharacteristic leaves with a gray coating.But mainly in landscaping there are garden forms of common ivy with 3-5-lobed leaves. Descriptions and photos of ivy varieties are given below.
Shiny golden- has small golden yellow leaves.
Small- leaves are small, three-lobed, shoots are highly branched.
Palmate- leaves are five-lobed, dark green, with light veins.
crowded- the leaves are small, toothed, wavy along the edges, sitting tightly on the stem. It grows slowly.
Arrowhead- five-lobed leaves with a medium-length blade.
Triangular- small three-lobed leaves with a heart-shaped base, dark green.
Tricolor- Leaves with white edges turn reddish in autumn. It also has reddish shoots.
Here you can see photos of popular varieties of ivy:
Colchis ivy- the best for decorative effect.
However, in central Russia this form grows even more slowly. Variegated varieties are cultivated in European countries with milder climates.
Irish ivy- a fairly fast-growing form that, with the help of sucker roots, can rise to a height of 6-20 m.
After 3-4 years, one plant can occupy an area of about 9 m2.
Irish ivy is distinguished by large, matte, dark green leaves with light gray or light green veins and violet-green cuttings. A characteristic feature of the plant is a slight upward bend of the leaves.It blooms in September-October with green-yellow spherical inflorescences. Small spherical fruits of black and blue color. Irish ivy is given its decorative appearance by its green shoots, densely covered with gray hairs and with dark brown-red ends.
garden ivy- a perennial climbing plant whose appearance varies depending on age.
As the name suggests, this type of ivy is only suitable for growing outdoors. It has many varieties that differ in shape, size (up to 20 cm) and leaf color.
Flowers can be yellow, green or cream. Flowering occurs from September to October. It easily climbs up the supports and climbs quite high, and the powerful root system helps in the fight against soil erosion.
Propagation of ivy by cuttings and feeding during care
Most types of ivy are propagated by cuttings. Cuttings are taken from annual shoots without cutting off the leaves. The best time for this is in May - June, then the plant has enough time to take root before the winter cold.
A cutting is an ivy shoot with adventitious roots about 10 cm long. If you cut cuttings without adventitious roots, they will take a little longer to take root. When propagating ivy, the prepared cuttings are treated with a root growth stimulator, then planted in moist sandy soil or sand. Rooting is best done in a shelter with high air humidity.
To propagate ivy, when caring for cuttings, you need to ensure an air temperature of +16 ° C, although later they will grow normally in other conditions.Common ivy and garden ivy for spring planting in open ground are purchased by cuttings and 2-year-old plants. When choosing seedlings of any ivy, pay attention to the appearance of the seedlings. They should have a compact size, a healthy root system, and fresh and shiny leaves. You should not take plants with thin and weak sprouts, drooping and yellowed leaves.
Fertilizing common and garden ivy is carried out with liquid or dry fertilizers according to the description on the package. In April, common ivy is fed with urea, and in the summer - with organic fertilizers weekly. For this you can use mullein solution.Variegated forms of ivy are fed very carefully, since due to excess fertilizer they may lose the variegated color of their leaves. If variegated varieties have green leaves, they are removed.
When growing ivy, to care for the plants, it is recommended to fertilize with complete mineral fertilizer. If you need to cause strong growth of shoots and leaves, then take 20 g of ammonium nitrate, 20 g of superphosphate and 10 g of potassium salt in a bucket of water.
Water the plants with fertilizer every two weeks on damp soil. Sometimes more frequent, every other week, but less weak feeding works better. At the same time, care must be taken not to overfertilize with nitrogen.When light green tender leaves appear, the dose of nitrogen should be reduced. An overdose of nitrogen is fraught with a decrease in plant immunity and damage by pests and diseases. Variegated forms are especially sensitive in this regard.
How to grow ivy and how to care for it
Common ivy is an unpretentious perennial plant that grows on all types of soils, is drought-resistant and light-loving, and tolerates frost well. Although it can grow in deep shade, tolerating heavy shade, it grows faster when exposed to direct morning or evening sun.An important condition for growing this ivy is the presence of diffused sunlight. The plant needs it to form rich leaf colors. Varieties of common ivy with variegated two-color leaves require good lighting.With a lack of light, the variegated color of the leaves fades and even disappears, but they should be protected from direct sunlight. Almost any soil is suitable for common ivy, with the exception of clay. It grows well in fertile and sandy soil; a clay mixture is best.
Irish ivy is more frost-resistant than common ivy, but suffers from frost. It tolerates partial to full shade, but can burn in full sun. Grows on all soils except pure peat.
Garden ivy is unpretentious and can grow in the shade and in lighted areas. Absolutely any soil is suitable for it, even poor soil, but rich in nutrients has a better effect on the appearance of the plant. Ivy can be planted in a permanent place starting at the end of March, if weather conditions permit. The most optimal time for planting is mid or late May.When caring for ivy in the garden when growing a hedge, supports are prepared in advance. These could be poles with wire stretched across them, or a wooden fence, or a metal or plastic mesh. Light-loving plants can be recognized by the color of their foliage. They typically have light green and variegated leaves and grow best in strong light.
To plant ivy, dig holes along the supports so deep that the roots of the seedling can completely fit into them. Planting holes are dug at a distance of approximately 50 cm from each other.
The soil at the site where the fence is created is prepared in the fall by digging deeply and adding organic fertilizers - humus, rotted manure or compost. In spring the soil is loosened. Planting holes are filled with a soil mixture consisting of turf soil, humus, peat and sand in a ratio of 2:1:1:1.The bush is planted obliquely so that, once rooted, the plant can climb onto the necessary supports or stones. At least 25 rooted cuttings are planted for each m2. After planting, the seedlings must be watered. The growing shoots are directed to a support that is supposed to be landscaped. After planting ivy, if properly cared for over the summer, it will spread over the supports like a dense wall and become a reliable protection from wind and dust.
Planting Irish ivy begins with the acquisition of acclimatized seedlings in a plastic container with fertilizers. In this case, the plant does not suffer from digging up with inevitable damage to the root system and therefore takes root well after planting.
Ivy seedlings with a closed root system are planted from March to November, including on hot summer days, without purchasing additional fertilizers. Watering ivy during care when growing in the garden is necessary within reasonable limits so that the plant has enough moisture and the soil does not dry out. The soil should be moist, but should not be over-watered. In hot, dry weather, at temperatures above +21 ° C, it is recommended to spray the ivy leaves from above, which will allow them to maintain freshness and purity. In addition, regular spraying with water will protect the plant from red spider mites.
Pruning of fast-growing ivy is carried out regularly, removing excess shoots, dry and damaged. Systematic pruning and shortening of unevenly growing shoots allows you to keep ivy within the established contour of the fence. These photos show techniques for caring for ivy in outdoor conditions:
To protect garden ivy in winter, the soil under it is mulched in the fall with a sufficient layer of peat or humus so that it does not freeze. Ivy stems on low borders are covered for the winter with dry leaves of apple, hazel or oak.
However, the shelter should not be very warm, as this can lead to damping off of the plants. In early spring, when removing autumn leaves, do not use a rake, as they damage young shoots.Ivies are rarely affected by insect pests or diseases. However, common ivy can sometimes be affected by spider mites.
Irish ivy is damaged by scale insects and mites. For prophylaxis when caring for ivy, plants are regularly, but within reasonable limits, sprayed with an insecticide in the dose indicated on the package.
Treatment with karbofos, Aktara, and Aktellik (1-2 ml per 1 liter of water) gives good results against scale insects, spider mites, and aphids. If the ivy is infested with spider mites, then silvery dots will appear on the front side of the leaves, and spider threads will appear below. In this case, they are sprayed with water and treated with a special preparation against pests.
How to use ivy in landscaping
Ivy is widely used in landscaping the interiors of residential and office premises, gardens, parks, and personal plots. When skillfully combined with wood, ceramics, and other plants, magnificent compositions are obtained.
When planting ivy in a dacha as a ground cover plant, it can get along with trees such as maple and birch, which have a highly developed superficial root system and therefore usually have no neighbors.
If common ivy is grown indoors, it must be replanted once every three years, increasing the diameter of the pot by 2 cm.
Many types of ivy are widely used for vertical gardening. Common ivy is suited to the proximity of stones, both natural and artificial. However, the use of ivy in green decoration is somewhat different in the northern regions.
Since common ivy can only overwinter under snow cover, all shoots above it are frozen. Therefore, it is impossible to create a solid green wall or cropped figures from it. It is suitable for creating low borders, which, if necessary, can be covered for the winter.Common ivy combines successfully with shrubs, perennials, and forms an excellent pair with standard roses. The reddish color that ivy acquires in early spring and late autumn complements snowdrops and primroses well. As shown in the photo, the variegated forms of common ivy in the garden provide picturesque combinations with perennials and purple-leaved shrubs:
In contact with
Among phytodesigners and flower growers, indoor ivy is very popular due to its special decorative properties and low maintenance requirements. A flower with creeping shoots and spectacular delta-shaped leaf plates looks harmonious in the interior of a room for any purpose.
Indoor ivy is a plant that is especially loved by florist designers.
In the wild, the climbing evergreen shrub from the Araliaceae family is represented by 15 species that have a wide growing area. As a rule, common ivy and its forms, of which there are more than 100, are grown as a potted crop.
An indoor flower with a climbing stem and aerial roots, with the help of which it clings to a support, does not bloom in an apartment. Flower growers are attracted by decorative leathery leaves with a waxy coating, which can be either plain or variegated.
- Among the most popular varieties are “Eva” with yellow leaves, dwarf Kholibra and variegated “Jubilee”.
- Sometimes another species is used for vertical gardening - Colchis ivy. This is a climbing plant with graceful shoots that are covered with glossy solid, sometimes three-lobed, marsh-colored leaf plates.
- Wax ivy in indoor floriculture is represented by such varieties as Dentata Variegata with variegated oval-shaped foliage, Sulfur Heart with large curled leaf blades and Arborescens.
Plant propagation methods
Indoor types of ivy in apartment conditions reproduce by vegetative methods.
Cuttings
To carry out the procedure, apical cuttings 10 cm long with aerial roots are prepared. After cutting, the planting material is buried in a soil mixture of sand and leaf soil, where it is kept under a film in a warm room. During the rooting process, constant soil moisture is maintained. When the cuttings take root, they are planted in separate flowerpots, several at a time.
By shoots
There is a way to get two or more plants from one shoot at once. For this:
- A shoot with 8 leaf plates is cut off.
- An incision is made along the entire length, with which the shoot is laid on the sand, after which it is pressed to a depth of 15 - 20 mm.
- After rooting, the shoot is divided into parts with roots and one leaf, which are planted in several pieces in small containers with fertile soil mixture.
By layering
The procedure is similar to the previous one described. The main differences are that the cuttings are stapled to the ground and are not separated from the mother plant before rooting.
Growing and caring for ivy at home
Caring for indoor ivy is not difficult. Even an inexperienced gardener can grow an indoor ivy flower if he follows simple care rules that do not take much time.
Requirements for soil and pot
For an exotic flower, select a small pot with large drainage holes. The plant prefers loose and fertile soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. The optimal composition of the substrate includes leaf, turf, humus soil, peat and sand in equal parts.
Microclimate, proper lighting
A climbing plant from a subtropical climate loves moderate heat and moisture.
- During the active growing season, a comfortable temperature range is considered to be 22 – 24°C. In winter, temperatures may drop, but not below the maximum permissible value of 13°C.
- To create conditions close to natural, the flower should be sprayed with settled water throughout the year and bathed in a warm shower.
- Ivy, or hedera, is a shade-tolerant plant and can grow even in the back of a room. However, the more diffused light the plant receives, the more spectacular it will look. Therefore, when choosing a place that should be decided upon even before purchasing a flower that does not like to move, preference should be given to well-lit areas.
Important! Variegated forms will lose their color when placed in the shade.
How to properly water indoor ivy
A climbing flower with decorative foliage is an ideal plant for people who are often away from home. Ivy can withstand soil drought, but you should not use this quality of the plant too often. The optimal irrigation regime involves maintaining constantly moist soil in the summer without stagnating moisture in the root system. In winter, watering is reduced: before the next portion of water, the earthen lump should dry out slightly.
Feeding and fertilizers
In the spring-summer period, which is when the potted crop grows intensively, ivy is fed every two weeks. For fertilizing, special liquid fertilizers for decorative foliage plants are used.
Carefully! An excess of macro- and microelements in an earthen coma can damage the decorative qualities of the crop, making its leaves too large.
Replanting ivy
You can replant the plant according to the same rule as other indoor flowers: young specimens - every spring, adults - with an interval of 2 years. But you should know that an indicator of the need for the procedure is the appearance of ivy roots in the drainage holes.
The transplant is carried out as follows:
- A new pot is selected that is 2 cm wider than the old one.
- Expanded clay or gravel is placed at the bottom of the container to create a drainage layer.
- A flower with an earthen lump is transferred to the drainage.
- A new substrate is poured into the pot so that there is a small gap between the wall and the earthen lump for irrigation water.
- The flower is watered, sprayed and returned to its permanent place.
Plant diseases and pests
The ivy houseplant has excellent immunity to diseases, the occurrence of which is mostly non-infectious in nature:
- Due to prolonged soil drought, leaf fall is observed.
- Due to too low humidity levels, baldness of shoots and shrinkage of foliage occurs.
- Lack of lighting leads to variegated forms losing their characteristic color.
Failure to follow simple rules for keeping plants at home can also cause the appearance of pests such as aphids, scale insects, and spider mites. To prevent the flower from colonizing, you should maintain high humidity in the room and periodically “bathe” the plant.
If insects have already attacked the crop, then you should immediately treat it with an insecticidal preparation according to the instructions indicated on the package. If there is no result, the treatment is repeated after 3 to 5 days.
Myths associated with ivy
Signs and superstitions about indoor ivy have always been present in our lives. Stories about ivy date back to the Ancient World, when:
- among the Greeks, ivy was a symbol of fun;
- among the ancient Romans, the plant symbolized fidelity, love and marriage;
- The peoples of the East believed that the flower nourishes the owner with vital energy.
Nowadays, a superstition with a negative connotation has appeared, claiming that ivy is an energy vampire and a man-hunter that attracts loneliness.
Thus, indoor ivy is a spectacular ornamental plant that is widely used for vertical gardening of indoor interiors and requires minimal care.
