Indoor ivy: propagation, cultivation and care at home

Claiming to be a garden classic, ivy rightfully occupies a leading position in the list of unpretentious garden vines. Versatile and hardy, fast-growing and low-maintenance, garden ivy is suitable for a wide range of applications. With the help of ivy they camouflage and decorate, create green walls, plant greenery on facades, and play with small architecture objects. And not the last factor in the prevalence and unfading popularity of ivy is the ease of its propagation. Easy to cut and root, ivy allows you to obtain seedlings without much expense or effort.

Common ivy (Hedera helix). © WandererCreative

Ivy is one of the garden plants that practically needs no introduction. The hallmark of the genus Ivy (Hedera), the most common plant was and remains common ivy (Hedera helix) and its numerous decorative varieties, differing in shape, size and color of leaf blades. A creeping evergreen vine with flexible, long, branching shoots that take root at nodes and have aerial roots is a plant whose size is limited only by its use. If ivy is given free rein, it can grow to more than ten meters. But with proper shaping and limitation, they will surprise you with their compactness and modest size. Three- or five-lobed leaves, located alternately on the shoots on long petioles, captivate with their leathery-glossy texture, dark colors, light veins and heart-shaped base. Flowering, which begins in ivy only at an advanced age, is inconspicuous, with small yellowish flowers in umbrellas, the fruits are round black peas.

In landscape design, ivies are used to create screens and screens, green carpets, façade landscaping, decorating small architectural objects, creating figured accents, masking, filling, emphasizing... Natural talents that allow ivy to conquer new heights lie in the structural features of the plant. Ivy easily climbs up, clings to supports or spreads along the soil. It is equal parts ground cover and vine, open soil plant and potted plant, main or complementary. The amazing “docility” of ivy and its versatility are the result of endurance and vitality. Not only does it adapt well to any conditions and any base that it must wrap around, but it also takes root and “fixes” easily. This ability is used in propagation: flexible shoots that easily take root in the nodes take root just as easily during propagation.

Self-propagation of ivy is a very simple task. When landscaping large areas or objects, it is enough to purchase one or two bushes of mature plants, choosing varieties based on hardiness, color, and decorative characteristics for a specific design task. From basic bushes you can quickly grow a large number of ivy seedlings. Of course, you will have to wait several years until they reach a sufficient size, but the costs of landscaping will be minimal.

For ivy, vegetative methods are preferred. Mostly in landscape design today, varietal plants are used that do not retain their characteristics when grown from seeds. It is not possible to propagate fashionable variegated or original ivy by seeds. In addition, unlike growing from seeds, any method of vegetative propagation allows you to significantly reduce the process of achieving the desired goal, maximum decorativeness. The advantages of speed and simplicity are the main arguments in favor of cuttings and related propagation methods.

Ivy cuttings. © Mary H. Dyer

Rejuvenation and propagation of indoor vines

Many indoor vines shed their lower leaves as they mature, leaving behind a bare vine with a dozen leaves at the end.
This happens especially often in herbaceous vines after winter. In this case, the plant needs rejuvenation: the apical cutting with leaves is cut off and rooted. The old plant is cut to almost half: this way it will branch more strongly. The sections must be treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. The apical cutting, cut from an old plant, can be placed in water so that it takes root. But many indoor vines (like Ivy) have aerial roots, and therefore the cuttings can be immediately dug into the ground.

For quick rooting, a cutting cut is treated with “Kornevin”, or folk remedies - aloe juice or Kalanchoe juice.

In addition to the vegetative method, vines are propagated by seeds. For example, I sowed Passionflower and got very good results in the form of strong shoots. But I do not recommend propagating other types of vines in this way.

In addition to seed propagation and rooting of apical cuttings, some vines can be planted using a propagation method such as dividing a bush.

Is it worth growing it at home?

Of course, indoor ivy is worth growing at home, because it has many useful properties:

• Hedera has an anti-inflammatory effect, so it helps with various inflammatory infections.
• The fruits are used to reduce blood pressure and improve well-being.
• You can make infusions from the leaves that help treat coughs and joint pain.
• Infusions from the roots help with burns, boils and scabies.
• Hedera is one of the ingredients in the decoction for bladder stone problems.
• In addition, the loach cleanses the air of harmful chemical components (benzene, xylene).

Popular varieties of hedera

There is a superstition that says that ivy should not be kept at home, as it symbolizes impermanence and a woman will never be a couple. It is considered a muzhegon, so there will be no family happiness in the apartment where this flower is grown. However, in Ancient Greece and Rome, ivy symbolized marital fidelity.

In the East, this culture is a symbol of longevity. As you can see, the signs contradict each other, so try to tame the culture, and it will respond to you with a flourishing appearance. Don't take signs seriously. The plant is mentioned in the cartoon "Dragons and Riders of Berk", which is based on an old legend.

Whether or not to believe these signs, everyone decides for himself. If the gardener is concerned that the hedera will absorb his energy, then the flower can be placed in the kitchen. It is able to effectively purify the air from vapors and oil impurities.

Not all types of heder are common in indoor culture. Mainly three varieties are popular among flower growers:

Types of garden ivy

In nature, there are about one and a half dozen of its varieties, the most famous of which are:

• Colchis ivy (Hedera coichica). The plant has large matte dark green leaves, the width of which reaches 17 cm and the length of up to 20 cm. The leaves have different shapes and have a specific smell with a nutmeg tint, which appears when rubbed. Flowering occurs in autumn. Flowers that have no decorative value are collected in clusters on peduncles up to 3 cm long; the length of the flower petals reaches 4.5 mm and the width is 2.5 mm. The fruits ripen in the spring of next year. The most popular forms of Colchis ivy are jagged, purple and tree-like. The plant can grow up to 30 meters and is found on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus;

Common ivy (Hedera helix). This plant reaches a height of one meter. It has leathery, shiny leaves with many decorative variations of different colors and shapes - winter form with large light ones, palmate with large five-lobed ones, Baltic frost-resistant with small ones, bordered with a yellow border and others. It blooms in the same way as Colchis ivy. It is found in the lowlands and foothills of Southern Europe, Southeast Asia and Russia. Considered one of the most frost-resistant species;

Pastukhov's ivy (Hedera pastuchowii). The plant can grow up to 10 meters long. It has thin, leathery, bright green leaves up to 10 cm long and up to 6 cm wide. Their shape is very diverse - from lanceolate to rounded-heart-shaped, with wavy-angular or entire edges. Found in Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Dagestan.

Indoor ivy is one of the most common indoor plants, often planted together with fuchsia or pelargonium. Canadian ivy is especially popular because of its variegated leaves.

As for other varieties, Thorndale and Modern Times are characterized by active growth, which allows them to be used in vertical plantings. Varieties Sally, Deltoidea and Tripod exist in both climbing form and form dense bushes. This feature allows them to be used both in vertical gardening and in pots. They grow quickly and form lush hedges up to two meters high.

Compact species like Dealbata, Henriette, Jubilee and Very Merry are excellent for covering alpine slides. A wide palette of their shapes and shades will decorate any rock garden and allow you to create your own unique style.

Methods for growing and propagating garden and indoor ivy

Hedera garden ivy is a climbing vine. It is an unpretentious perennial plant. Belongs to a fast-growing subspecies.

Endowed with leaves of different shapes and sizes. The color of the leaves is different. They can be plain, with strokes, borders and dots.

The branches reach 2.5-3.0 meters in length. The inflorescences are umbellate. The pleasant aroma attracts numerous insects.

Therefore, when growing at home, it is necessary to install a protective mesh screen on the windows. After flowering, inedible berries appear.

Growing at home

This evergreen plant can, and to a certain extent, should be grown at home. The name of the species itself indicates the place where it was planted. But some residents of European countries prefer to plant ivy not in the house itself, but around it. Indoor ivy has a number of beneficial properties that have a beneficial effect on human health.

To care for ivy at home, you must follow certain rules. Care consists of several important stages:

1. Choosing a location. The location should not be too sunny, but not too shady. A golden mean is needed. Although indoor ivy is shade-loving, it still requires sun for successful development and growth. At the same time, caring for indoor ivy should be protected from direct sunlight.
2. Priming. You should also take care of the soil for the plant. In this case, it is preferable to choose light, but at the same time nutritious soil. Such soil can be purchased at a specialized store. If desired, you can make your own nutrient soil. The process of making soil includes mixing equal portions of sand, humus, peat and leaf soil. Before placing the resulting mixture into the pot, place expanded clay on its bottom.
3. Air humidity. It is worth taking care of the air. Indoor ivy urgently needs moist air, so the plant should be sprayed with water as often as possible in the summer, when the weather is hot outside. In winter, spraying may be necessary if the indoor plant is in a very warm room.

Temperature and watering

Temperature. While maintaining air humidity, you should monitor the temperature. The most acceptable temperature for indoor ivy is no more than 24 degrees. It is at this temperature that the plant is able to actively grow. This temperature applies to summer time. During this period, it would be a good idea to take indoor ivy out into the fresh, street air. In winter, the temperature should not fall below 13 degrees.

Watering. Indoor ivy, like other plants, needs constant watering. The abundance and frequency of watering shrubs depends on what time of year it is outside. In the summer, when the weather is hot outside, it is recommended to water the bushes generously and as often as possible. In winter things are a little different. During cold weather, ivy enters a kind of dormant period, so at this time it is advisable to reduce the abundance and frequency of watering

It is important to maintain balance when watering the plant. The earth should not remain dry, but at the same time be damp

Feeding and pruning

Feeding and pruning. Indoor ivy needs to be fed regularly. Mineral or organic fertilizers can be used as fertilizing. It is recommended to feed ivy bushes at least once every two weeks.

In addition to feeding, it is important to prune. Both outdoor and indoor plants need timely pruning.

Trimming ivy allows you to return it to its original shape and rejuvenate it. The procedure is performed before the growing season begins. By pruning we can mean:

• pinching young stems;
• pruning old branches - in the case of indoor plants, the branch should be cut from the root no more than half a meter;
• removal of damaged or diseased shoots.

Timely pruning is vital for indoor ivy.

Hedera bonsai

The ideal option for a bonsai composition is miniature hybrids bred by breeders. For example, "Hedera helix Mini Heron".

Bonsai with ivy is created on rocky soil with the addition of leaf humus, coarse river sand and turf in equal proportions. You can add large fragments of rock that have hollows for fixing roots to the installation. The central shoot is attached with a thin wire and constantly pinched to stimulate the release of lateral shoots and create a bush-like shape.

One way to construct bonsai is to graft ivy shoots onto dwarf trees. Before grafting, excess side shoots are cut off from the rootstock. The scion base is cut at an angle of 45° and buried in a cut made in the central trunk of the donor tree. The junction area is tightly wrapped with a special latex tape or cotton cord. During the adaptation period (1-2 months), the bonsai is moved to a room with high humidity and low temperature - no higher than 16°.

Description

The hoya flower is an evergreen vine that can grow up to 6 meters in length. The color of the leaves ranges from brown-green to dark purple. The leaves are leathery to the touch, but a characteristic feature of Hoya is a small waxy coating on the green plates. Young shoots tend not only to grow to enormous sizes, but also to become lignified over time.

The flowers of the plant are collected in one large inflorescence, which often consists of 50 elements, the diameter of each of which is from 1 to 2 centimeters. The buds are white or brown, velvety to the touch. During flowering, hoya produces a huge amount of nectar, so the crop is classified as a honey plant. If you decide to start growing this vine, then be prepared for the fact that every year there will be a sweet aroma in the house.

Some gardeners may think that since the flower is popularly called wax ivy, it is poisonous. This is a deep misconception. In fact, hoya is absolutely harmless, and some psychics even claim that the plant can reduce the aggression of those people who live in the same room with it. Although it should be noted that some allergy sufferers may experience attacks of headaches during the flowering period of the crop - it gives off a very pungent odor.

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.

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.

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:

1. A new pot is selected that is 2 cm wider than the old one.
2. Expanded clay or gravel is placed at the bottom of the container to create a drainage layer.
3. A flower with an earthen lump is transferred to the drainage.
4. 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.
5. The flower is watered, sprayed and returned to its permanent place.

Watch this video on YouTube

Features of planting care

Common indoor variegated ivy flower

Unlike outdoor or garden ivy, an indoor plant will not require as many care activities.

Mulching and soil care

To ensure that the soil can retain moisture, it is recommended to mulch it. Both regular peat and decorative pebbles are suitable for this. Peat can additionally saturate the soil with nutrients.

It is necessary to take care of the soil, because its quality affects the health of the bush as a whole. It is important to maintain the soil in a slightly acidic state; the soil structure should always be loose. It is recommended to loosen the soil after each watering to avoid water stagnation.

Mulching the soil is a necessary procedure

Proper watering of the plant

The moisture-loving hedera loves abundant watering, which should be carried out with high-quality water. It should not be hard and chlorinated from the tap; it is better to let it settle. Also, the water should be at room temperature, cold provokes rotting of the root system.

Important! Abundant watering of ivy is carried out only during the active period - spring and summer.

Ivy pruning

Hedera is pruned to remove dry and rotten shoots, as well as to form a bush. Traditional sanitary pruning is usually carried out in the fall. Before wintering the bush, remove dry foliage and some woody branches. In the summer, the bush itself is formed, but this process is not mandatory and is carried out at will. In order for the hedera to stretch its shoots in length and grow a lush green mass, it is necessary to remove the internal new stems that thicken the plant.

Not all gardeners know how ivy reproduces. Many people think that this is a difficult process, but even beginners can handle the procedure. And indoor ivy, along with cyclamen and geranium, will decorate the interior of the house and even bring good luck.

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Choosing a location and proper lighting

1. Hedera requires a semi-shaded location. Sometimes a flower pot is even placed in the middle of the room, far from the window sills.
2. Despite its love of shade, ivy needs sunlight to thrive in the home. Variegated species require more sun to keep the foliage attractive and vibrant in color.
3. If hedera is grown as an hanging plant, then choose a wall well lit by the sun. The flower does not tolerate frequent changes of location; it is advisable to immediately select a permanent place for it.

How indoor ivy or hedera propagates

Hedera ampelous

Important! If exposed to direct sunlight, the young foliage of the plant can get burned. Hedera feels uncomfortable near heating appliances

Description of garden ivy (Hedera)

This type is the most common due to its increased resistance to cold and unpretentiousness. Ivy can be grown as a houseplant, but it also looks great in the garden.

Decorating the inside of the house with ivy shoots

Garden ivy - evergreen and frost-resistant

Winter-hardy common ivy is popular in Russia. The first two years mark slow growth. The plant is used as a ground cover crop and for landscaping vertical structures.

For your information! Ivy prefers partial shade without wind.

Characteristics of garden evergreen ivy

The shoots of a climbing vine can reach 30 m. It is firmly attached to a vertical wall or tree due to its sucker roots.

In total there are 15 types of ivy and over 1000 varieties. The leaves may vary in color, size and shape depending on the variety.

Variegated species are given a certain decorativeness by the white border of the leaves, dark or light inclusions in comparison with the main background. The leaves are dense to the touch with a smooth surface. October and September are considered the flowering period of the plant. Light green inflorescences in the shape of umbrellas.

Important! The fruits of the flower are poisonous, they look like black peas with a blue tint

Types of ivy for the garden

Types for home

There are about fifteen types of ivy, but only the following can be grown indoors:

1. Canary. In a number of sources it is called Algerian. Distributed in northern Africa and Portugal. It has strong stems with rich green leaves and yellow spots. The plant spreads and can cover the ground with a whole carpet. The most common variety is considered to be Gloire de Morengo.
2. Colchis. Homeland - Iran, Transcaucasia. An evergreen creeping vine, with aerial roots reaching a height of thirty meters. The leaves are large, can reach 25 centimeters in length, are whole, and have a nutmeg aroma. The flowers are small, creating umbrella-shaped inflorescences.
3. Pastukhov's ivy. Widely distributed in Dagestan. The roots are aerial, light brown, capable of clinging to any support. The leaves are entire and thin, can reach 10 centimeters in length and 6 centimeters in width. The upper part of the leaf is bright green, and the lower part is lighter. Inflorescences have from 5 to 20 flowers.
4. Ivy. The following types are distinguished: header helix mix, white wonder, green ripple, graham. The habitat is considered to be southern and central Europe. It has glabrous and leathery leaves, which consist of 3-5 lobed leaves of a dark green color with light veins. The flowers are small, of both sexes, collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences of pale green color.

How to propagate ivy

Propagation of ivy plants is a simple process. It does not require special skills, large material and time costs. Those who are interested in the question of how to propagate indoor ivy should know that there are two main methods - cuttings and rooting layering.

Ivy in the interior

How to grow ivy from cuttings

The most popular and frequently used method is propagation of ivy, or hedera, by cuttings. It is very easy to obtain high-quality planting material for this. Ivy-shaped plants grow quite quickly and cutting shoots for cuttings does not cause any particular inconvenience to the flower.

Harvesting cuttings can begin in the spring and continue throughout the summer season. During this period, young cuttings have time to gain strength, because it is recommended to use only new annual shoots for cutting. Lignified branches are not suitable for this method of propagation.

Important! If you take cuttings in the fall, the plant most likely will not be able to survive the winter. During this period, ivy prepares for dormancy, stores up nutrients, and stops forming new stems.

Propagation by cuttings

The length of the cuttings should be approximately 15 cm. On each of them you need to make an oblique cut and leave at least 3 leaves on the top. In addition to the leaf blades, the cuttings should contain at least one fully formed node.

Before planting cut shoots in the ground, you need to keep them in a special solution that stimulates their growth and rapid rooting.

Landing rules

How to grow ivy from a cutting? First of all, you need to select a suitable container for planting a flower and create the necessary conditions in the room where it will subsequently be kept. Another important point to consider before planting is the preparation of the substrate. You can purchase a ready-made product in stores or make a soil mixture yourself by mixing humus, loose turf soil and river sand.

How to plant ivy in a pot:

1. Pour in the substrate: a little more than half the pot.
2. Deepen the cuttings into the soil by a third.
3. Moisten the soil.
4. Place the container in a lighted and comfortable place to keep it.

Important! Do not use acidic soil for planting. To reduce acidity, you need to add a little ash or lime to the substrate

The plant is not propagated by layering as often as by cuttings.

How to propagate ivy by layering

This method is not as popular as the previous one, but it is also quite simple. The procedure is carried out in spring or early summer. Ivy propagation using layering occurs according to the following algorithm:

1. Choose a healthy but young shoot from indoor ivy.
2. If the shoot is not very long, it can be fixed in the ground in the same pot where the mother bush itself grows. Otherwise, you should prepare a separate container with the substrate.
3. Place the containers nearby and dig the shoot into the ground, leaving the top of the stem 10-15 centimeters above the ground. The layering can be secured with a staple or wire.
4. Regularly water and loosen the soil in the container.
5. After rooting, the cuttings are cut off from the mother bush.
6. If necessary, transplant into another pot.

Note! This method is not suitable for propagating wax ivy. Ivy seeds are difficult to purchase in stores and even on the Internet, since propagating the plant in this way is a very labor-intensive and wasteful process

Seedlings practically do not sprout and have difficulty taking root after transplantation.

Ivy seeds are difficult to purchase in stores and even on the Internet, since propagating the plant in this way is a very labor-intensive and wasteful process. Seedlings practically do not sprout and have difficulty taking root after transplantation.

How to replant ivy

Hedera helix mix or common ivy - home care

Both methods of propagating hedera subsequently require transplanting into separate containers. If seedlings are purchased from nurseries, they must be kept for about a week in the substrate in which they were purchased. This increases their survival rate and immunity.

Preparing the plant for transplantation

How to plant ivy in a pot correctly

Growing ivy from a shoot at home does not require much effort. The procedure is best carried out in spring or autumn. Before you root ivy, you need to choose a pot for it. The best choice is one whose diameter is 5-10 centimeters larger than the root system of the transplanted plant. You also need to choose a nutritious soil mixture.

Step-by-step transplantation of an ivy-leaved plant:

1. Fill the bottom of the pot with drainage material: small pebbles, expanded clay or brick chips.
2. Cover the top of the drainage with soil mixture.
3. Place the seedling, carefully straightening the root system.
4. Cover with the remaining substrate so that there are no empty spaces between the roots.
5. Gently compact the soil and water it with water.

Subsequently, during the first five years, it is necessary to replant the bush annually into a larger container. Afterwards, only the top layer of soil in the pot is changed.

Such similar and different vines

Almost all vines are inhabitants of the humid, warm tropics. They grow very quickly (most of them, anyway), are easily propagated by cuttings and take root quickly. Perhaps that is why gardeners love them so much. For example, a climbing cypress vine, or Quamoclitus pinnate, can grow 2.5 m during the growing season.

Despite the similarity in general characteristics, the vines are still very different. They may be flexible or have a herbaceous stem, or they may become woody as they mature. In addition, they differ in the possibilities of vegetation growth: they can be annual and perennial, evergreen and, conversely, deciduous.

Indoor vines are mostly evergreen and perennial. And this is understandable: who wants to look at a long bare stem all winter. It is herbaceous vines that are grown at home, but flexible or woody ones can be planted in the garden.

Lianas are also divided into classes depending on the method that the plant uses to attach to the surface during growth. If the vine is attached to the support by roots, then it is a root-climbing vine, if by lateral branches or shoots-tendrils, then it is climbing or tendril-bearing. And the supported vines cling to the support with suction cups.

Most often, amateur gardeners grow climbing vines. Their shoots can be twisted around a support, forming a plant with a beautiful spiral shape.

Among indoor vines there are many favorite flowering plants: Clerodendron, Ivy, Bougainvillea, Passionflower, Monstera, Philodendron, Hoya and many others. For example, I was very surprised when I learned that even among the cacti there are vines.

Hedera: description and photo

The common hedera has a climbing stem, on the underside of which there are dense brushes of aerial roots. It is with their help that the plant is attached to the support. The leaves are lobed (3 - 7 lobes), leathery, shiny, simple, arranged alternately. Their color is mainly dark green with light veins, but variegated varieties are also found.

Common ivy blooms only in natural conditions. It has small flowers of greenish-yellow color, collected in racemes, corymboses or umbellate inflorescences.

The following types of ivy are usually grown at home:

• ivy Fatshedera Lise;
• canary ivy;
• climbing ivy (common).

Fatshedera Lise ivy is a very popular new hybrid that reaches a height of up to 5 meters and requires staking. The Variegata variety looks very impressive with a beige border or white spots on the leaves.

Canarian ivy . This species has large leaves, in most cases variegated in color, and needs to be tied up, as it is unable to cling to support on its own. The variety Gloire de Marengo with its magnificent combination of green and cream shades on the leaves is considered especially popular.

Common ivy . The plant has unusual plasticity and is able to curl around any support and cling even to small irregularities.

Popular varieties of this species:

• Little Diamond. The plant has leaves with cream-colored veins.
• Chicago Variegata. Bright green leaves decorated with a yellow-cream border.
• Annette with dark green leaves.
• Chicago. It has small bright green leaves.

Growing ivy from cuttings

Cuttings are a fairly simple way to obtain planting material. Many types of ivy grow so quickly that the plant will not even notice the loss of several shoots.

Video: propagation of ivy by cuttings

Procurement time

Harvesting should be done in late spring or throughout the summer. It is worth remembering that only lignified shoots are used as cuttings. It is better not to touch young watery green shoots, as they take root very slowly, and under unfavorable conditions (sharp cold or high humidity) they begin to rot.

Indoor ivy is one of the most common indoor plants, and Canary and garden ivy are also especially popular.

In the fall, it is better not to carry out cuttings, since the plant is preparing for wintering; accordingly, it does not grow additional shoots, but stores nutrients in the above-ground and underground parts. If you cut off a few branches, the small bush may develop problems and not survive the winter.

How to prepare and root cuttings

For propagation, annual shoots are used, on which there are small adventitious roots or rudiments are visible. Next, you should measure 10-14 cm, and then make an oblique cut. The cuttings must have healthy leaves, as well as at least one formed node.

Video: rooting ivy cuttings using perlite

Next, all lower leaves (near the cut) are removed, after which the lower part of the shoot is dipped in a root system growth stimulator. After this, the cuttings are planted in a mixture of sand and soil in a 1:1 ratio.

Important! We deepen the planting material only by a third. Leaves should not be in the soil, otherwise they will rot.

If the weather is good outside, then the ivy pots/boxes can be taken outside. Otherwise, it is better to leave containers with cuttings in a greenhouse or well-lit room.

After 1.5 months, you can safely plant the plant in a permanent place.

Landing rules

When choosing a permanent place for a young plant, you should take into account the fact that ivy loves shade or partial shade, as well as fairly nutritious soil.

Video: how to plant ivy

If good soils are already occupied, then add a small amount of humus or compost when planting. After this, it will be enough to maintain the humidity.

Be sure to pay attention to the acidity of the substrate. Ivy will die if planted in acidic soils.

The reaction must be neutral or alkaline.

Find out why soil acidity is important for plants, how to determine the acidity of the soil on a site, how to deoxidize the soil, and how to increase soil fertility.

The best place for ivy is a damp area under the canopy of a large tree that is adjacent to the fence. In such a place, ivy will not only grow well, but will also decorate the hedge.

In large open areas, the plant will be useless, and it will have to be cared for as a demanding crop, since in the absence of shade, moisture will evaporate from the substrate much faster.

Rooting cuttings of ivy

Like other vines, ivy can be easily propagated by layering. Scourges lying on the soil are capable of taking root themselves. But you can stimulate this process and get strong independent plants. The method of rooting cuttings is most popular when using ivy as a ground cover. But it is also suitable for those who need to get a not too large number of new plants.

There is nothing complicated in the process of rooting shoots:

1. Strong, flexible ivy shoots from below (for those growing vertically) and along the perimeter (for ivy growing horizontally) are placed in a small trench. Usually, long, powerful shoots are chosen for rooting cuttings. Small cuts on the underside of the branches speed up rooting.
2. The branches are secured in the soil with a staple and sprinkled with a nutrient substrate on top.
3. Water thoroughly and then regularly water the soil to maintain stable moisture.

After the shoots have rooted, there is no need to rush to plant cuttings. In early autumn or next spring, young ivy is separated as independent bushes and planted in a permanent place.

If the ivy has long enough branches, then they can be fixed in the soil in waves, rooting several layers from one lash at a time.

Planting ivy in a permanent place. © Plants & Trees

Reproduction

Indoor ivy can be propagated by several methods. Any of them gives a good result, since this vine is quite tenacious and takes root at any opportunity.

1. Cuttings. The most effective and simplest way. When pruning, a lot of planting material is formed; any branch more than 10 cm long will do. For planned planting, it is better to take shoots 10-20 cm long. They need to be placed in water at room temperature (+20…+22 ⁰С) and wait until they take root. To speed things up, you can add a growth stimulator to the water. When the first roots appear on the branches, they can be moved to a pot.
2. By layering. A good method for all creeping plants. It is necessary to select a long shoot, slightly cut it in the middle, and cover the cut site with earth. It is advisable to secure the shoot itself with a staple at the incision site, otherwise it will constantly shift. After the branch takes root, it can be separated from the mother plant.
3. Indoor ivy is also propagated by dripping. To do this, you need to select a long and young shoot with at least 7-8 leaves, and press it down so that it goes deeper into the substrate. The leaves should remain outside. After 2-3 weeks, roots will appear at the junction of each leaf with the vine. The shoot can be divided into parts and each specimen transplanted into a separate container.
4. Propagation by seeds. The method is practically not used for two reasons: firstly, ivy is easy to propagate by other methods, and secondly, it blooms extremely rarely, so the seeds need to be specially purchased. But if you want to gain experience in germinating hedera from seeds, then this is easy to do: you need to wrap the seeds in a damp cloth for two days, and then bury them in the ground. To be on the safe side, you can add a couple of drops of growth stimulator.

Possible problems and their solutions

When growing crops, many gardeners face various problems. In such a situation, you should take action immediately.

Leaves fall

Moisture deficiency and increased dryness of indoor air lead to dryness and falling leaves. Also, the cause of problems is the active reproduction of spider mites.

Leaves turn yellow

Yellowing of foliage is caused by excess moisture. Excessive amounts of fertilizer also cause problems.

Few leaves

The cause of this problem is lack of lighting. Also, a decrease in the number and size of leaves is considered a consequence of increased air temperature.

Pale foliage

Changes in leaf color are due to lack of light. In this case, it is enough to move the culture to another place.

The tips of the leaves dry out

Dry leaves are caused by violation of the rules of care and incorrect temperature conditions. To do this, the culture is moved to a cool place.

Why does indoor ivy dry out? What to do?

Phytotechnologists consider ivy to be the most disease-resistant plant. Therefore, drying and falling leaves are a sign of serious problems.

1. Carefully inspect the entire length of the stem. A blackened area indicates the presence of a fungal disease - fusarium. Remove the affected part with a blade treated with an alcohol solution.
2. If possible, check the condition of the root ball. Blackened, rotten roots are the result of waterlogged soil and, as a result, infection with bacteria and fungi that cause root rot. It requires washing the roots and completely replacing the soil substrate.
3. Curled yellow dried leaves are a consequence of the banal dryness of the earth.

4. Brown spots with a yellowish rim are the result of the activity of spider mites or scale insects. You can get rid of pests only with the help of systemic insecticides or acaricides. First, each sheet plate must be cleaned with a weak soap solution and rinsed in the shower. After drying, spray the crown on both sides with a suitable preparation. To choose from: “Aktellik”, “Fitoverm”, “Neoron”, “Iskra M”, “Agravertin”. Repeat the procedure 3-4 times with an interval of 10 days.

Myths and reality about ivy

People believe that all living things, including plants, can give or take away energy. It is believed that ivy is an energy vampire. Some are convinced that it takes away energy, others that it gives vitality. You can use the point of view of psychoanalysts. They suggest that the plant, along with toxic emissions from furniture and tobacco smoke, absorb aggressive bursts of energy. That is why it is advised to grow ivy in a room where hyperactive children live. The plant will also cleanse the apartment of the unkind energy of the uninvited guest.

Ignoring signs, is it possible to keep indoor ivy at home? They say that the plant “muzhegon” squeezes men out of the apartment. How many families break up without ivy? The ancient Romans believed that ivy would help a girl in a successful marriage.

The reality is that the indoor ivy flower is unpretentious, purifies the air, and is not afraid of even drafts. In addition, ivy is a good natural healer and a poisonous plant.

Signs and superstitions, benefits and harms

There is a superstition that ivy pushes other flowers out of the house and creates an unfavorable atmosphere for men. But in fact, this sign is not substantiated by anything, and the plant, on the contrary, brings many benefits to the house, purifying the air and saturating it with oxygen.

It is especially useful to keep Helix in homes where pets live, since the plant destroys fecal bacteria.

The medicinal properties of the flower are also widely known. Ivy is used in the fight against fungi and bacteria, improves the process of removing phlegm, therefore, the plant is added to many cough medicines.

Ivy (willow)

Ivy is a genus of plants that belongs to the Araliaceae family. The genus has 16 species, which are divided into many varieties.

Ivy plants, regardless of species or cultivar, have a creeping stem and are all subshrubs. Their shoots are divided into two types: flowering and non-flowering. On flowering shoots, the leaf blades are light green or light green and have an ovoid or oblong shape. On non-flowering leaves, the leaves are dark and angular-lobed.

The fruit is a small berry that is black or yellowish in color.

The plant is found in regions with a humid climate.

Did you know? Ivy absorbs compounds from the air that are dangerous to humans, such as formaldehyde and benzene. Thanks to this, the plant can be planted not only for decoration, but also to improve the composition of the air.

The plant can reproduce by seeds, but this method is not used in gardening, and the seeds are used exclusively for animal feed. This is because the seeds, as is the case with many other crops, do not retain the qualities of the mother plant. For decorative purposes, the plant is propagated in only two ways: layering and cuttings.

An easy way to make ivy topiary

The problem with creating a topiary is that most of the evergreen plants that can be used to create it grow very slowly. Try making ivy topiary for a quick fix!

Ivy Topiary Ideas

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Place as many plants as possible in a large pot - use at least 4 plants. Then install the wire frame in the desired shape over the plants.
2. Wrap the ivy sprigs through the wire to keep them in place. Cover the entire frame with ivy from side to side and from bottom to top.
3. Insert loose side branches between the wires to make the arrangement look lush.
4. Place your work on a plain, light background for a great focal point.

Rules of care

In order for ivy to develop normally, it is recommended to provide it with complete and high-quality care.

Temperature and light

This is a shade-tolerant crop that can be placed in partial shade. However, in too dark a place, ivy will not develop well. It is best to place the plant pot in a well-lit place.

Ivy is able to adapt to any temperature regime. However, the plant has difficulty accepting dry and hot air. In the warm season, it is worth providing the plant with a temperature of +22-25 degrees. In summer, the culture is transferred outside. In winter, the temperature should be +12-14 degrees. It is difficult to provide such conditions at home. Therefore, the plant should be sprayed systematically. If the culture is in a warm room, the pot should be placed in a tray with wet expanded clay.

Ambient humidity

Ivy is considered a moisture-loving plant. Therefore, in conditions of increased dry air, it is recommended to constantly spray it. It is recommended to periodically organize showers for culture.

Watering mode

The plant needs sufficient moisture. In summer, the soil is constantly moistened; in winter, the amount of watering is reduced. To do this, use soft water at room temperature.

Trimming

If there are bare shoots on the plant, they are completely cut off. It is recommended to leave 2 buds. After pruning, new shoots are formed in this area - several in one cut area.

Top dressing

It is recommended to systematically feed ivy with complex fertilizers. To do this, it is worth purchasing a mineral composition for decorative deciduous crops. Fertilizers should be applied twice a week. This is done from spring to autumn. At the same time, it is worth observing a sense of proportion. Excess fertilizer will lead to the loss of the decorative properties of the flower.

Bloom

The crop blooms in autumn. It is characterized by small yellow flowers. However, when growing crops at home, they do not appear.

Care

At first glance, caring for hedera is not difficult, but failure to comply with the maintenance conditions leads to the death of the plant, especially for novice gardeners.

Watering

The liana loves moisture, since the usual growing conditions for hedera are tropics and subtropics. The soil in the pot should always be moist, but the soil should not become acidic due to stagnant water.

When it gets colder, watering is reduced, and in winter it is reduced to a minimum. The soil should also not be allowed to dry out.

If the hedera overwinters at normal room temperature, water it as before.

Ivy loves moisture; when it gets cold, watering is reduced, and in winter it is reduced to a minimum.

Lighting and temperature

Ivy plants are considered shade-tolerant plants, but they feel more comfortable in good light. Pinnately-leaved varieties especially need it.

Direct sunlight should be avoided as it causes burns on the leaves.

Lianas are more comfortable in cool rooms: in the summer at +18°C, in the winter months - +12°C. In the summer season, vines are taken out onto loggias, balconies and terraces.

They are not afraid of sudden temperature changes and drafts. Dry air and high temperatures lead to scale insects.

Ivy loves good lighting, direct sunlight should be avoided

Humidity level

Liana is demanding on the level of air humidity. In hot weather, it must be regularly sprayed or the foliage wiped with a damp cloth.

It is not recommended to use special products to make leaves glossy.

Transfer

When the pot becomes too small, the plant is replanted. Signs that it’s time to replant ivy:

• no growth;
• wilting of leaves;
• roots peeking out of the pot's drainage hole.

Young plants are replanted annually, adult ivy - once every 2 or 3 years. It is preferable to replant in March-April.

The new container is taken 3 cm larger than the previous one. Drainage must be placed at the bottom of the pot.

Ivy transplantation:

Soil and fertilizing

The composition of the soil for ivy is not particularly important. A soil mixture for decorative deciduous indoor plants or one made independently from turf, humus, leaf soil, peat and sand is suitable.

The plant is responsive to root and foliar feeding. You can use fertilizers for decorative foliage plants.

In the warm season, fertilize every two weeks, in winter - no more than once a month. Excess fertilizer leads to yellowing of leaves.

Required soil

As soil, you can use purchased substrate for house plants . You can cook it yourself. This will require leaf and turf soil. Coarse sea sand is poured into it. Add peat or use peat tablets. You can add humus. But humus should not be allowed to get on the ivy root system.

A burn will occur and the plant will die. Experienced gardeners also advise adding charcoal . It will increase the breathability of the soil. When propagating, the soil cannot be pressed. The soil should be loose. Drainage made of broken bricks or pebbles is laid at the bottom. This soil is perfect for any propagation of Hedera ivy.

DID YOU KNOW? What an ideal wall decoration is English ivy.

Let's summarize. In the article we answered questions such as how to grow and propagate ivy? What soil is best suited for this. And, as it turned out, it is not so difficult. With the right approach, this plant can become a decoration for your home or garden.