What would we want from a houseplant? Lush, elegant greenery all year round and not too difficult to care for. Indoor ivy, represented by various original species, meets these requirements. Even a novice gardener can cope with this plant.

General information

Common ivy is a climbing evergreen shrub of the Araliaceae family.

Its natural habitat is the humid subtropical regions of Asia, Africa and Europe.

There the plant can reach a length of 30 meters, and sometimes in gardens too. The size of indoor ivy is, of course, more modest, but in the variety of species the flower is not inferior to its natural “brother” - there are more than a hundred forms, differing in color, leaf shape, and size.

Ivy has always attracted human attention.: sometimes it was extolled, as in Ancient Greece, considering it a symbol of love, or it was feared that, according to signs, ivy could cause harm to a person, attracting troubles and troubles.

The plant has also found application in medicine; medicinal tinctures and other preparations are prepared from it.

Indoor ivy: can you keep it at home, signs and superstitions

There is a fairly strong belief that ivy in a house is an energy vampire that can bring misfortune to all its inhabitants and doom women to loneliness.

This houseplant is even sometimes called a “husband buster,” supposedly because it can destroy the relationships of loved ones, so some believe that it should not be kept in the house.

The nature of these superstitions is not entirely clear, because the ancient Romans and Greeks, on the contrary, were convinced that ivy was a guarantee of a happy marriage and male fidelity.

The problem interested psychoanalysts, who made the following conclusion: ivy is capable of absorbing (like many of our other green helpers) tobacco smoke, substances toxic to humans emitted by varnished furniture, any “chemistry”, for example, fumes from aerosols, household drugs, but in addition to all this, it can absorb bursts of aggressive energy.

This amazing ability distinguishes ivy from many other representatives of domestic flora and gives rise to various superstitions. This quality, according to experts, can be used for “peaceful purposes” by placing a flower in a room where there are hyperactive children - home ivy will act as a sedative, or keep it in a room where not the most pleasant guests often drop by, in order to neutralize the negativity that they bring with them.

Most popular varieties

Ivy looks especially interesting in the interior if it comes in different varieties. Among the popular species are Canarian ivy, Colchian ivy, English ivy, and hedera.

Hedera

In the Hedera variety, the color of the dense, leathery leaves can be either light or dark green. After flowering, small berries (not edible, but decorative!) of black or golden color are formed. The stems of the plant are equipped with hooked roots that cling to any support, as in the photo.

The Hedera ivy variety is ideal on the balcony and looks especially good in a hanging pot. The only thing the plant needs is protection from direct sunlight, which can lead to leaf burns.

Canary ivy

The leaves of this species are quite large, their width is 15 cm, length is 12 cm. The color is dark green. The light veins form, as can be seen from the photo, a triangle on the surface of the leaf.

A distinctive feature of this variety of ivy is the absence of aerial roots, so the owner must take care of reliable support for the vine and regularly provide “hairdressing services” to the pet.

Among the “Canaries” there are varieties:

• • "Gloire de Marengo" (with reddish stems);

• • “Golden leaf” (golden shades are added to the main color);

• "Brigitta" (this variety has the smallest star-shaped leaves, and the stems are distinguished by grace).

Colchis ivy

The leaves of Colchis ivy are even larger than those of the “Canary”, their average dimensions are 25x17 cm. The leaves are usually whole, very rarely three-lobed.

Unlike other varieties, Colchis ivy smells pleasantly of nutmeg. Here are the varieties offered for home breeding:

• • "Dentata Variegata" (oval leaves, pale yellow at the edges);

• • "Sulfur Heart" (leaves curl slightly inward);

• "Arborescens" (produces the effect of "drooping" shoots).

This plant, thanks to the variety of green and yellow shades, brings a feeling of celebration and freshness to the interior, see photo:

It is placed in the living room or kitchen (in a flowerpot).

Unlike its undemanding counterparts, this species needs the sun, otherwise it loses its colors, fades and even ceases to live up to its name.

ADVICE: do not overdo it with feeding - if your green pet is overfed, the leaves will become large, losing their grace and decorativeness.

English ivy

This species can be formed as a columnar tree or as a hanging crop. Not only the color, but also the shape of the leaves is striking in their diversity - they can be elongated, lobed and even heart-shaped. The plant has aerial roots.

Flowers appear only on a sunny windowsill (the “Englishman” will not bloom in the shade), they are small, yellow, grouped into “umbrellas”, but, alas, smell unpleasant.

The resulting berries of a thick, almost black purple color will also not please you - they are poisonous, which means that English ivy cannot be grown in a house where there are small children who are used to trying everything by taste. Among the varieties used in indoor floriculture:

• • "Harald" (with round leaves);

• • "Sagittaefolia" (with leaves resembling a star);

• • "Ivalace" (with corrugated edges);

• • "Mona Lisa" (in yellow tones).

FOR HOME USE: types of ivy are almost the same in care, but their growth rates are different. This should be taken into account when creating general compositions from plants.

Wax ivy hoya

This variety is distinguished by fleshy glossy leaves. Aerial roots form on stems, which in young plants are soft and can be given any desired direction. However, over time, the stems become woody, so it becomes increasingly difficult to give them any shape.

In nature, hoya finds shelter in the shade of tall trees; at home, the plant is also not very demanding on lighting - only in winter will ivy need a south window, which provides more light. Therefore, caring for wax ivy at home is not difficult.

At other times of the year, windows facing west and east will be most suitable. This does not prevent the plant from delighting its owners with flowering: the fragrant star flowers are collected in baskets and look very elegant. Learn more about caring for Hoya wax ivy here.

IMPORTANT: a flowering plant cannot be moved to another place or even turned over - the hoya will drop its buds.

Indoor ivy: care at home

Proper care of indoor ivy is the key to the fact that the plant will delight you and delight your guests for many years.

Selecting a location

Choosing a place is not only about light (especially since most species of this vine prefer shade and can be grown even in the depths of a room), it is also about support for the stems, an opportunity to grow and develop.

For hanging varieties, for example, a place at home near the wall is suitable - young shoots will be provided with sufficient space.

ATTENTION: This culture does not like moving, so you should try to immediately choose a permanent place for the green pet, where it will be comfortable.

Soil, pots

The soil required is slightly acidic. Composition – different types of soil (turf, humus, leaf), sand and peat. All components must be taken equally, and treated with a solution of potassium permanganate before use.

You can not only prepare the composition yourself, but also purchase it in a specialized store - the “Universal” flower mixture is suitable for ivy.

A drainage layer (made of expanded clay, crushed brick or pebbles) is poured onto the bottom of the pot; its height is from 3 to 5 cm.

The soil covering it should be loose and allow both moisture and air to pass through.

The root system of this indoor flower is superficial, so a very deep ivy pot is not needed.

The best option is a medium-sized container that is stable enough and made of high-quality material to last for several years. When the time for replanting comes, you will need a pot 2-3 times larger than the first, not very deep, but with a large diameter.

Watering and fertilizing

This indoor flower especially needs watering in the summer - the soil must remain moist at all times. In winter, watering is reduced to a minimum, and sometimes completely abandoned. However, you still cannot forget about the green pet, otherwise a brown edging will appear on the edges of the leaves, they will begin to dry out and fall off.

For irrigation you will need soft water.

You can take tap water that has been standing for several days.

In hot weather, ivy will benefit from a shower and wiping with a damp cloth.

Fertilizing is carried out twice a month, best of all with complex fertilizers that are quickly absorbed. In the cold season, the number of feedings is reduced by half.

Planting and transplanting

If you decide to get ivy for the first time, it is best to plant it using a cutting, asking your friends for it. Each shoot node has root primordia, so planting and rooting of the future plant will take place quickly and without problems.

The need for replanting arises when roots begin to emerge from the hole in the bottom of the pot. If you don’t wait for this moment, then it is advisable to adhere to the following schedule: transplant young plants into a new pot every year, older flowers once every two years, adult specimens do not need to be disturbed, but only carefully replace the top layer of soil with fresh substrate.

ATTENTION: ivy transplantation is best done in the spring using the transshipment method. The neck of the plant must be left at the same level.

Propagation of ivy at home

If you have ivy at home, consider that you have provided yourself with planting material. All that remains is to choose the best way to do this - using cuttings, layering or shoots.

From seeds

It is quite difficult to propagate ivy from seeds at home, and all because your own seeds simply do not have time to ripen.

Those purchased externally, unfortunately, very rarely have varietal characteristics, especially of the specific type that may interest you. In addition, the germination process itself is difficult (in the natural environment, seeds undergo pre-treatment in the stomachs of birds, which activates their germination).

Seeds usually sprout two weeks after they hit the ground. When the first true leaf appears, the plant needs to be pruned.

Cuttings

10 cm long apical shoots are used as cuttings. It is desirable that they have aerial roots. The cuttings are planted in pots with nutritious soil (you can have 3 pieces in one). After rooting, they are planted in separate containers. You can also germinate cuttings in water.

By shoots

When propagating ivy in this way, cut off a shoot on which 8-10 leaves are located. A cut is made along the shoot, placed on the ground and pressed into it, going two centimeters deep. After a couple of weeks, roots usually form along the entire length of the shoot. By cutting the vine into several pieces (each should contain at least 1 leaf), you get several pieces of high-quality planting material.

By layering

This method is almost the same as propagation by shoots. The difference is that the shoot is not deepened into the soil, but only pressed against it, pinned with staples.

This video contains my own experience and tips on caring for indoor ivy:

Ivy on the balcony

This plant perfectly decorates the balcony.

It is most convenient to place it in a hanging basket.

To prevent water from flowing down after watering, cover the bottom of the basket with a reliable film, pour a layer of drainage onto it, and only then add nutrient soil.

The basket should be placed on the balcony so that the plant is not exposed to direct sunlight.

In winter, such structures are usually brought into the house so that the plant does not die, because even a glazed balcony will not protect the “subtropical guest” from sub-zero temperatures. The ivy lashes are pre-rolled and laid on the ground so that in such a compact form the plant is waiting for warm spring days.

Possible diseases

In some diseases of indoor ivy, a person must look for his own fault. The leaves turn yellow - it means there is too much watering; dry out - the air in the room is too dry; become too small - the ivy does not get enough light.

Sometimes you have to fight aphids; one of the alarming signs is curling leaves. Spider mites can be recognized by characteristic punctures on the leaf blade and the web entangling it from below.

A white leaf on top and brown spots on the bottom warn of the presence of a pest such as yellow thrips.

Scale insects and mealybugs also pose a danger to the plant.

Latin name: Hedera

Family: Araliaceae

Homeland: subtropics of Europe, Asia, North Africa and Australia

Ivy or hedera (Hedera) is a flexible evergreen climbing vine or creeping shrub reaching thirty meters in height. Belongs to the genus Araliaceae. There are 15 known types of hedera and a huge number of different forms.

Prefers humid places and is often found in subtropical forests of the European part, Asia, the African continent, and American territories. In these free natural conditions, ivy is freely located in shady forest places, where it rises to great heights in the trees due to adventitious sucker roots, weaves along rocks, rocky slopes and along the ground.

Its long stems become thick and woody with age. The original shape is solid, alternate ivy leaves of a dark green color with an intertwining mesh of light veins, beautifully placed without shading each other, forming a leaf mosaic. Small flowers, collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences, bisexual, yellow-green. They produce yellow or black berries with three or five seeds.

Indoor ivy is very popular, because growing ivy at home is not at all difficult and even a novice flower lover can cope with this task. Small-leaved ivy looks very beautiful at home, and it also purifies the air in the room well. It can also be kept in low light. For example, small-leaved ivy will not feel bad in the bathroom, where there is more humidity and less light. Ivy cultivation is very common in gardens, courtyards, offices, shops using original varieties of vertical gardening. The living, beautiful green walls of buildings and windows framed by ivy greenery evoke delight and fit into any interior.

The most common types of ivy

Common ivy (Hedera helix)

This is the most common type of ivy. There are about 100 different forms of common ivy, which are more capricious, require bright lighting and are most valued with leaves and spots on them of various colors: white, cream, yellow. The flowers are not particularly beautiful and, moreover, ivy practically does not bloom at home. Thanks to the large number of leaves, ivy has the ability to purify the air well. The healing properties of ivy have long been known throughout the world and have found use in folk medicine.

Colchis ivy (Hedera colchica)

A very interesting type of ivy. Its large, dark green leaves have an original nutmeg scent. Thin shoots of evergreen climbing ivy, thanks to short aerial roots, fix their vertical position and grow up to 30 meters in height. Small flowers bloom in autumn. The above-ground part of ivy is endowed with healing properties.

Canary ivy (Hedera canariensis)

The Canary Islands, Portugal, and the north of the African continent can be considered the native habitat of the powerful woody vine. The main difference between Canary ivy and other species is the absence of sucker roots. Therefore, for comfortable growth, the plant requires supports; it can grow as a hanging plant. Powerful creeping stems grow up to 30 m, large leaves of different colors for each variety. The flowers are green-yellow, small, collected in inflorescences resembling an umbrella. Canary ivy is poisonous.

Wax ivy (Hoya) or hoya

This is an unusually beautiful climbing indoor plant that blooms with beautiful, very elegant white, pink, and yellow waxy flowers at home. This beautiful liana belongs to the palm family (Asclepiadaceae), but that’s a completely different story.

Ivy care at home

House ivy is not a capricious plant. The main advantage of ivy is that it is shade-tolerant, which is a rare quality of the plant. It does not want high humidity and frequent watering. It is preferable to wipe or wash the ivy leaves, preventing them from becoming dusty. After all, clean leaves will purify the air in the room better.

In cool rooms, the ivy flower feels more comfortable in the summer at a temperature of 18 degrees, and in the winter 6-12 degrees, and is not afraid of drafts and sudden temperature changes. If the temperature exceeds 20 degrees, it is advisable to spray the plant to increase air humidity.

Ivy is not at all burdensome to care for, but care and attention must be shown and the plant will reward you with beauty and attractiveness.

Ivy propagation

It is very easy and simple to propagate ivy as an indoor plant all year round, using apical cuttings. They are rooted in water, and after planting in the soil, the cuttings must be pinched for better branching of the plant.

Ivy transplant

It is advisable to replant young ivy plants every year, and older plants once every three years. It is advisable to choose a wide pot for replanting so that the ivy root system can be comfortably accommodated. Good drainage is required. The soil is preferably breathable - peat with the addition of turf and leaf soil.

Pruning periodically to give the plant a beautiful shape.

Pests and diseases of ivy

Ivy is a fairly disease-resistant plant. However, if the rules for growing ivy are not followed, various troubles arise. Ivy is often attacked by spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects, thrips, and aphids. Ivy diseases caused by pests spread very quickly. Therefore, immediately begin treating the plant with chemicals.

We must remember that ivy is poisonous, and the fruits of the plant are considered especially poisonous.

This plant is native to the subtropics; in nature it prefers shady forests to grow.

It grows by clinging to tree trunks with special roots located on the stems, and is capable of climbing to a height of up to 15 meters.

In countries with warm climates, ivy can often be found on the walls of buildings.

Where did indoor ivy come to us from?? It is believed that he comes from Latin America. On the ships of the conquistadors he came to Spain, where he took root remarkably well, climbing the high walls of impregnable fortresses.

In the 19th century, French fashionistas became interested in ivy, and it became one of the attributes of festive dresses - it wrapped around thin waists and the crowns of ultra-fashionable hats. At the same time it was brought to Russia.

What does it look like

Ivy is a vine and belongs to the Araliaceae family. Mature plants have a woody stem that can grow up to fifteen to twenty meters in length.

Ivy Leaf- solid, lobed, green with a cobweb of light-colored veins. Being dense and leathery, the leaves have a glossy surface. In different types of Hedera, the leaves may differ in shape and color.

Few people know that Hedera is in bloom. True, its flowers are rather inconspicuous: small in size, greenish in color, collected in groups, and this does not happen at home. After flowering, fruits about one centimeter in size and blue-black color are formed.

IMPORTANT! If suddenly flowers and ovaries appear on indoor ivy, then flower growers advise carefully removing both flowers and berries, because they are poisonous and smell unpleasant.

As the plant matures, Hedera's stems become denser and thicker, become lignified and turn into ornate trunks. Roots grow in large numbers on the side of the stem that is turned toward the support, forming dense jungle.

Photo

Kinds

Reproduction

Hedera is propagated by stem cuttings, which take root well in water or a moist substrate, such as peat and sand or vermiculite.

Specimens that already have aerial roots will take root much better.

A greenhouse is set up for cuttings: cover them with a transparent bag or glass cap. They require regular ventilation and spraying.

REFERENCE! To make the cutting branch better, pinch it. After rooting, the young plant is planted in suitable soil.

You can read in detail about the methods of propagating ivy in.

Diseases and pests

Despite the unpretentiousness of Ivy, it can still be affected by various diseases.

Some of the most common problems:

• Yellow leaves – excess fertilizer, waterlogging when kept at low temperatures.
• Green leaves on varieties with variegated colors mean there is little light.
• Small leaves, their small number, elongated stems also indicate a lack of lighting.
• The leaves turn brown and dry - lack of humidity, high temperature, dry earthen coma.

You can read in detail about diseases and pests of indoor ivy.

In apartment conditions, ivy is grown as a decorative decoration. It is allowed along the walls, installing special supports, and grown as a hanging plant, planted in hanging pots and cache-pots.

REFERENCE! The houseplant Hedera also has beneficial properties, despite the poisonous berries. It cleans the air well in the room, thanks to its thick crown.

The home flower Ivy is used in the fight against bacteria, fungi and inflammation. It is indispensable for sclerosis, cough, rheumatism, and headaches.

Useful video

You can learn more about Ivy, as well as the features of caring for the flower at home, in the video below:

Taking into account the large number of beneficial properties of ivy, its decorativeness and unpretentiousness, we can conclude that Hedera is an ideal plant for growing at home.

With decorative leaves they are widely used not only in gardening, but also in indoor floriculture for vertical gardening and creating original compositions. One of the brightest representatives is ivy. A spectacular plant with trifoliate leaves, it has an unpretentious disposition and beautiful leaves. However, besides this, it does not have a very good reputation, interestingly, in our country.

It is human nature to connect the events that happen to him with the environment and objects that are part of it. It is much easier to attribute the troubles that happened to him to a third party, or better yet, to an inanimate object. In particular, on Can I keep it at home? Signs say no. Let's understand the notoriety of the plant, as well as the peculiarities of its cultivation.

What kind of plant is this?

The name “ivy” is a genus of plants of the Araliaceae family, numbering 15 species. The Latin name Hedera for these plants was borrowed by C. Linnaeus from the Romans. Ivies are creeping shrubs that, as they grow, cling to support (trees, walls, etc.). The stems bear dense, leathery, angular-lobed leaves. The color is dark green; there are decorative forms with milky white stripes.

The natural habitat is the countries of the Northern Hemisphere with mild climatic conditions, as well as Australia. In our country, ivy (see photo in text) is mainly a houseplant.

Common types of ivy

• Colchis ivy is an evergreen liana-like shrub with large (up to 25 cm in length) leathery leaves attached to the stem with suckers. The shape of the plate can be different; when rubbed, a characteristic musky odor appears. It climbs to a height of up to 30 m. It grows quickly, but is less frost-resistant compared to ordinary ivy. Under natural conditions it grows in Iran, Transcaucasia, and Asia Minor.
• Common ivy (photo below) is an evergreen vine, the leaves are leathery, medium in size (up to 10 cm in length), the arrangement is regular. It grows slowly, is shade-tolerant and thermophilic, and is demanding on soil fertility. It has a high decorative value, and therefore has been used for a very long time in landscaping gardens as a ground cover and climbing plant. Many hybrid forms have been developed, differing in color and leaf shape. The photo shows the Calico variety.

• Canary ivy is an evergreen shrub that is extremely popular as a houseplant. A spectacular plant with variegated leaves does not tolerate frost and requires good lighting, warmth and fertile soil.
• Pastukhov's ivy is a rare evergreen vine that grows in Eastern Transcaucasia and is listed in the Red Book of Russia. Distributed both in mountainous regions and in lowlands, it spreads along the ground and clings to tree trunks.

Indoor ivy: can you keep it at home? Signs

Signs and superstitions of various kinds have always been present in our lives. Some believe in them, others do not, and others listen. Quite a lot of superstitions are associated with plants in the house, and people often find it difficult to say where they came from. Most of it doesn't sound reasonable at all. For example, about a gift of a flower that dried up after a couple of months, and therefore was not presented from the heart. An absolutely untenable argument. Store-bought flowers often have weakened immune systems and are difficult to tolerate changes in environment and microclimate.

Indoor ivy also did not go unnoticed by lovers. Is it possible to keep this plant at home (signs are given in the text)? It is possible, and most Europeans do so. They do not need to plant it indoors; the beautiful plant weaves around the outside of the house, covering all the walls with an even carpet of greenery. But is this such a significant difference?!

The main superstition about ivy is its supposed ability to “drive” men out of the house and to survive them. Agree, the plant is endowed with very impressive power. The ancient Greeks also treated ivy in a special way, but from a positive point of view. The plant was almost sacred, because according to legend, it was it that saved the life of the god of wine Dionysus (Bacchus). From then on, his images were decorated not only with grapevines, but also with climbing stems of ivy. The mythological properties of the plant, however, have a real basis. It, along with rosemary, is used in France to protect forests from wildfires.

Ivy is a climbing evergreen shrub and, who would have thought, one of the symbols of Christmas. It is with this spectacular plant that Europeans, especially the British, decorate temples and houses. It is interpreted as a symbol of eternity and resurrection, affection and love. Ivy is used in pairs with holly, the first being considered a symbol of the feminine (requiring support and protection), and the second - masculine. In practice, the plant really amazes with its unpretentiousness and ability to survive even in the homes of the most careless gardeners.

Ivy grows a very voluminous green mass, and therefore is considered one of the most effective air purifiers. Quite a useful quality for city apartments.

These facts answer quite reasonably whether indoor ivy is harmful and whether it can be kept at home. Signs are most often far-fetched and absurd. You should not blindly trust them, much less be guided by them.

Selection of location, lighting and temperature

Indoor ivy is a unique plant. By choosing it for your home, you can fill even the darkest corner of the room with greenery. He is very shade tolerant. However, variegated forms need sun to maintain a beautiful contrast on the leaves, it is best if it is slightly muted, avoid direct rays hitting the plant.

Ivy belongs to the evergreen, heat-loving plants. The most comfortable temperature for it will be 22-25 °C in the spring-summer period and cooler (15-18 °C) in the winter. You can take it out onto the balcony or summer terrace.

Soil for ivy

The plant prefers light but nutritious soil. You can buy ready-made soil at a specialty store or prepare it yourself. To do this, mix turf and leaf soil, humus, peat and sand in equal proportions. Place a drainage layer, such as expanded clay, at the bottom of the pot.

Adult plants are replanted every two years, and young plants - annually. The most optimal time for the procedure is March-April. Select a pot 2-3 cm larger than the previous one.

Watering and fertilizing

For active growth, ivy requires regular and abundant watering in the summer. But don't overwater the plant. Low air temperature and excess moisture are a favorable environment for the development of fungal and bacterial diseases.

In winter, a mild dormant period begins. At this time, the plant is watered less frequently, but the substrate should not be allowed to dry out completely. Spraying and high humidity are what indoor ivy prefers. Leaves dry out and fall off very often due to dry air. If possible, periodically place the plant under the shower, covering the lump of earth with waterproof material. After such a procedure, it looks much more attractive and begins to grow with renewed vigor.

Fertilizing should be carried out once every two weeks, starting from March and until the end of August, alternating organic and mineral complex fertilizers.

Reproduction methods

Ivy can be propagated by vegetative or seed methods. Moreover, the first one is the simplest and can be carried out in three ways.

Firstly, propagation by apical cuttings. Cut off the ends of the shoots 10 cm long and immediately plant them in a damp mixture of sand and leaf soil, covering the top with a glass or plastic cap. This creates greenhouse conditions, and it is important to maintain constant moisture in the soil. You can first place the cuttings in water and wait for the roots to appear. Then plant in the prepared soil mixture.

Secondly, propagation by shoots is practiced. One piece of stem can produce several plants. To do this, take a shoot with 8-10 leaves and make a cut along it. Not too deep, it should be superficial. Place the shoot on prepared moist soil with the cut side down and press it into the soil 1.5-2 cm, leaving the leaves on the surface. Within two weeks, the plant will form roots along its entire length, a sign of this will be the growing top. Then the stem is taken out and cut into several parts, each planted in a separate pot.

Well, the third vegetative method is propagation by layering. The algorithm of action is the same as in the previous version, but with one amendment: the shoot is not separated from the mother plant, but is pressed to the ground with staples.

Pruning indoor ivy

As a rule, outdoor specimens require pruning and shaping of the bush. if desired, you can also update and rejuvenate it, giving it the desired shape. The procedure is carried out in early spring, before the plant begins its active growing season. First of all, remove diseased and damaged shoots; you can simply pinch out young shoots in order to stimulate the development of lateral stems. To rejuvenate the bush, cut old branches at a distance of 1 m from the root in outdoor conditions and half as much in indoor conditions.

As a support for ivy, you can use a wall, specially stretched threads, but they must be strong (the green mass is quite heavy), a decorative trellis, etc.

Decorative, hardy and fast-growing evergreen steeplechain has won the hearts of flower growers. Ivy fits perfectly into the design of any room. It is used to create vertical gardening, flower arrangements, as an hanging plant. From fast-growing varieties, standard trees and green statues of the most bizarre shapes are created. But is it possible to keep a flower at home? Let's find out.

Indoor ivy is a vine with leathery three- and five-lobed leaves. Some of its species reach 20 m in length. Many have aerial roots, with the help of which they climb and are supported on vertical supports.

Flowers are usually inconspicuous, with a specific smell. Ivy berries are inedible and poisonous to humans, although some birds and animals eat them.

The leaves, depending on the type and variety, can have a wide variety of colors: shiny dark or light green, solid and pinnate, green with a white or yellow border and white with a green border. Breeders have even bred varieties with purple foliage.

Caring for indoor common ivy

In order for the acquired plant to acclimatize more easily to new conditions and delight with its vigorous growth, it is necessary to observe all the subtleties of care.

Lighting and temperature

House ivy is a shade-tolerant plant that can add greenery to dark corners of rooms where other plants will not survive. T However, good lighting is necessary for plant growth, and the feathery forms of ivy in the shade lose the contrasting color of the leaves. Direct sunlight is also dangerous, as it can leave burns on the leaves.

In summer, plants feel comfortable at temperatures from 22 to 25°C; in winter, it is preferable to keep them in a cooler room - from 15 to 18°C.

Watering a flower

Ivy, a child of the tropics and subtropics, needs good watering. In summer, the soil in the pot should be slightly moist. Periodically, the vine is washed under a warm shower, covering the soil in the pot with waterproof material, or sprayed. It is advisable to place the ivy pot in a tray filled with pebbles. You should add water to it so that the pebbles are wet, but the pot does not stand in the water. This will increase air humidity, and at the same time the roots will not get wet.

Ivy does not like either waterlogging or drying out. With a lack of moisture, ivy leaves droop and become soft. To correct the situation, you need to water it well and give it a warm shower. After this procedure, the leaves will restore their previous appearance.

Living ivy wall

It’s also not worth flooding the plant. Stagnation of water and acidification of the soil due to excessive watering have more tragic consequences: the death of the plant due to rotting of the roots. In this case, ivy can only be propagated by cuttings.

The rest period of vines is weak, so watering is significantly reduced, but the earthen clod is not allowed to dry out completely. Water after the top layer of soil in the pot dries. Instead of showering and spraying, ivy leaves are wiped with a damp cloth.

Soil and replanting

Good growth and decorativeness of the plant depend on the fertility of the soil. The soil for ivy needs to be loose and permeable. Be sure to lay drainage made of fine expanded clay at the bottom of the pot in a layer of at least 3 cm.

To prepare the soil, mix in equal quantities:

• humus,
• leaf soil,
• peat,
• sand.

Fill the pot with soil mixture 2 cm below the rim. Small pebbles are placed on top of the ground, which will protect against excessive evaporation of moisture and serve a decorative function.

An entire house covered in ivy

Feeding

Lianas are responsive to feeding. In the spring, they are fed with nitrogen fertilizers, in the summer months - with complex fertilizers, and closer to winter - with potassium fertilizers every 2 weeks.

In winter, during the dormant period, the plants are not fertilized.

Reproduction

Propagating vines is not difficult.

Cuttings and apical shoots

This is the most effective way to propagate ivy. You can cut a vine branch into cuttings 10 cm long or use apical cuttings 10-20 cm long, cut during pruning, for propagation. They take root well in a vase of water. For better root formation, a growth stimulator is added.

After the roots appear, the cuttings are planted in pots.

By layering

A longitudinal cut is made on the branch of the vine, without separating it from the mother plant, pinned to the ground and covered with earth. Water regularly. After the roots appear, the branch is cut off and transplanted into a separate pot.

By dropping stem cuttings

Indoor ivy at home

A cutting with 8-10 leaves is cut from a young branch and buried horizontally in a container with sand. The stem should be buried, and the leaves should remain above the surface. Water regularly. In two weeks, roots should appear.

The stem is carefully dug up, cut into cuttings with leaves and roots and planted in pots.

Seeds

The seeds are soaked for two days in a damp cloth moistened with water with the addition of a growth stimulant. After germination, they are planted in small pots with soil. Keep at a temperature of 23-28°C.

Popular types of home ivy

• Colchis is a liana with fairly large whole or three-lobed leaves, 15-18 cm wide, up to a quarter of a meter long. The leaves are oval or three-lobed with a characteristic musky aroma. The aerial roots of the vine give it the ability to stay on a support and climb to a height of up to 25-30 m. It blooms with small flowers with a specific smell, collected in inflorescences in the form of an umbrella.
• Canary - it is also called Algerian. A fast-growing vine with large leaves in a variety of colors: from solid green to feathery yellow or white-green. It does not have aerial roots, so it needs support. The plant requires intense light and high humidity, but will tolerate light shading. Ivy needs pruning, otherwise it takes on a sloppy appearance.
• Ordinary - the colors of the 3-5-lobed leaves are varied: from solid dark and light green to pinnate with a white or yellow pattern, they may have an edge. It blooms with small greenish-yellow flowers collected in an umbrella. Berries up to 1 cm in size, poisonous.
• Pastukhova - the vine has aerial roots, with the help of which it entwines vertical supports. The leaves are leathery, bright green, 6 cm wide, 10 cm long, of various shapes: lanceolate, rhombic, ovate, mixed. It blooms with inflorescences in the form of sparse spherical umbrellas. The inflorescence contains from 5 to 20 flowers. In place of the inflorescences, fruits are formed - berries up to 1 cm in diameter, black with a purple tint, very poisonous.

Among the huge variety of species and varieties of ivy, it is not difficult to choose a plant to suit your taste, which will decorate your home and will delight you for many years.