Last Updated on December 16, 2023 by Kimberly Crawford
One of the best vines that never dries is the Hedera Helix plant. English ivy is an excellent plant that will be great in covering the walls and stones. The plant can also be excellent for ground cover.
English ivy plants often will cover the ground, especially when the area is rocky. Arguably, it is the best climbing cover for stone walls, fences, and the brick facades. The plant can grow 6 to 8 inches tall, making it excellent for wall covers.
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Related: Boston Ivy care
Types of English Ivy
All the ivy plants belong to the genus Hedera. The Ivy plants are 15, but it is worth noting that Hedera Helix is the most famous due to its unique patterns and shapes that proves to be quite appealing. Notably, all the Ivy plants do have similar growing conditions.
Planting English ivy
The English ivy plants are beautiful. It will be a great plant that will cover the area you don’t want to expose to your walls. Be sure to cover unattractive walls and structures with the Hedera helix plant.
The plant does well in the shade, making an ideal ground cover in areas with no grass. You may opt to grow the ivy plant indoors, but of course, you will need to pot them. Ensure that it has a vertical structure that will allow you to climb.
When to plant
The plant can grow anywhere because it has no soil provisions. You can plant it in a loamy soil if you want it to thrive well. Like any other plant, the English ivy will need grounds that have good drainage, especially when potted. Spring seasons are the best times to plant the Ivy plant.
Where to plant
The ivy plant will do well when it finds the organic matter. So, make sure that you are planting it in a rich organic matter in an area with shade. You can use an organic compost if you stay in a place that does not have the soil rich in organic matter.
How to plant
When you want to plant the English ivy plant, ensure that you are doing it aright procedure. First, spacing should be 18 to 24 inches apart. The vines will grow over 50 feet tall, though their growth is relatively slow during the early development stages.
You can expect a noticeable increase during the second year. The third-year is when you will see tremendous growth where it will cover the trellises, fences, and walls.
English ivy care
The English ivy plant needs specific care requirements. Here, you will be checking the type of soil, fertilizer, the sunlight requirements, and the temperatures that will make it thrive well!
Soil and fertilizer
The Hedera Helix will do well under specific soil provisions. First, ensure that it is a fertile soil that has proper drainage. If you stay in a drier and hotter condition, you should do heavy mulching in the ground to keep the English ivy plant cold and moist. For indoor, use well-drained loose soils.
The Ivy plant does not feed a lot. You only need to ensure that it is getting sufficient feeding during the spring. When you are not sure of the soil, you can apply some fertilizer.
Sun, Light, and water
Sun and Light are essential during the winter and summer. Ensure that you are planting it a moderate light, but be careful not to expose it to direct sunlight, especially in summers. The English ivy will need areas that do not get direct sunlight in your house.
While watering the English ivy plant, you should realize that it does not need a lot of water. It would be best to plant it in moist, humid conditions that won’t keep it soaking.
Humidity and temperature
When you are growing the ivy plant in the outdoor condition, ensure that it is in a moderate condition that favors its growth. Ensure that the humidity remains at moderate conditions since very humid conditions may trigger the root decay. For indoor growing, ensure that it is getting temperatures that are averagely 60 Fahrenheit.
Repotting
You can repot the English Ivy plants annually. Here you will be dealing with small ivy plants, though you can also try the bigger ones by using a bigger pot. In case your ivy plant is ancient, you can refresh it by changing the soils.
Pruning and propagation
Your ivy plant should always have dense growth. You cannot achieve this without pruning. Ensure that you enhance your ivy’s growth by cutting off the tips every three to four years.
Propagating the ivy plants is easy since it sprouts from the stem cuttings. You can make fair use of the trims to propagate the plants. Use the cuttings measuring 4 to 5 inches long, place them in water until it grows the root hairs, and then transfer them to pots.
Pest and diseases
The most common pest that affects the ivy plants are the aphids and spider mites. You can get rid of this by spraying using an organic insecticide.
On the part of the diseases, the Hedera Helix plant’s notorious illnesses are Xanthomonas. The disease will cause root decay. Other diseases are Rhizoctonia root rot. You can identify the conditions by checking out for brown or black spots on the leaves.
Conclusion
Your Hedera Helix plant is a great plant that will do well under certain favorable conditions. This ornamental plant is excellent for your unrightfully walls. That is why you need to grow it, but don’t fail to take care of it!
