There is a long list of plants that you could grow and one of them is the Ivy plant.
Here is an overview of the Hedera, or True Ivy family.
In this article well talk about English Ivy (Hedera) which is considered true ivy.
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These plants are vigorous climbers that will happily climb up walls, posts, and even wallpaper.
This is the kind of Ivy often found covering the sides of buildings.
Hedera prefers bright indirect light and cool temps.
Regular misting or humidity trays are the solutions.
They will not do well in rooms where the temperature doesnt fall below 60 at night.
To keep plants bushy, trim the growing tips every so often.
Hedera can be easily trained to grow around whatever support is provided for it.
Check for spider mites.
Cut back bare stems and move to a cooler location.
Variegated Variety Reverting to All Green
This indicates too little light.
Variegated plants need bright light to keep their colors.
Undersized Leaves
Again, this indicates too little light.
Leaf Drop
It is normal for leaves at the base to drop with age.
Other causes could be transplant shock or watering with cold water.
Grey or White Powder on Leaves or Soil
This is a sign of overwatering.
The powdery substance is mildew.
If its on the soil, it can be scraped off with a spoon.
For mildew on leaves, the only cure is removal.
Once the affected leaves are removed, increase air circulation around the plant and cut back on watering.
The ivy plant is more famed as English ivy so as not to mistake it from the poison ivy.
Its scientific name is Hedera helix and through the years have had a reputation, good and bad.
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On one hand, it is loved because it makes a natural and attractive cover for gardens and walls.
It also has a fair share of uses, problems and dangers.
What is the best climbing ivy?
Both are self-climbing, very fast to grow and have distinct attractive characteristics.
Is Ivy a good indoor plant?
Does ivy kill other plants?
The answer to this is yes.
What is the difference between poison ivy and ivy?
At first glance, one would not be able to distinguish the poison ivy and the ivy.
Well, they both have hairy stems but the leaves will give and fruits will give it away.
Poison ivies can be identified through itsthree glossy leavesthat arespoon-shapedandhave tooth-like edges.
In the summer, these three leaves will hold creamy white fruits (in clusters).
In the spring, the leaves will turn red, and in the fall, they become yellow/orange.
What does poison ivy look like?
On the other hand, this is how an ivy plant looks like.
Is Ivy poisonous to humans?
As have been mentioned, it is quite harmful for people with existing allergies.
It is also toxic when ingested so it must always be out of reach especially to kids.
Is Ivy poisonous to cats and dogs?
This is also a resounding yes and it is because of the reasons also aforementioned.
Do Ivy plants clean the air?
Specifically, ivy plants couldclear the airof harmful substances namely xylene, toluene, benzene and formaldehyde.
What is the fastest growing ivy?
You would be surprised that it is the Boston ivy which is considered as the fastest growing ivy.
It takes only four to seven days for it to creep longer and cascade lower.
Its favorite hangout would be buildings where it could grow for up to 60feet in no time.
Indeed, the Boston ivy is an urbanite.
Is English ivy edible?
It can be transferred indoors by being dug and replanted in indoor hanging pots during spring or fall.
Here are some of the most beautiful ivy variants that you could have as indoor plants.
#1.
It is low maintenance and hardy, drought tolerant and self-branching.
It is good for groundcover, in banks and in sloped terrains.
#2.
It is good for flower garden borders, coastal cottages and as container plants.
#3.
It is dark green white yellow green veins.
It is self-branching and grows in heavy mounds.
#4.
It could be propagated using semi-hardwood cuttings in the summer.
They mostly thrive in cottage banks, sloped areas and in garden patios.
However, some ivy plants make better ground covers than others and here are some of them.
#1.
#2.
It is generally disease resistant with margined five-lobed leaves.
#3.
Russian ivy (Fallopia baldschuanica)
It is a vigorous, fast-growing plant and is highly invasive.
It is ideal for wide spaces that you want to cover.
It must be pruned every Spring.
Overall, it is generally tolerant to all types of climates.
But through propagation, they could be replanted and taken cared of to grow as shrubs.
Here are some of the ivy plants that you could grow beautifully outdoors.
#1.
#2.
Irish ivy (Hedera Hibernica)
It is endemic in Ireland and most of Europe.
It is known for its margined, dark green, glossy five-lobed leaves with pale green undersides.
It is a vigorous grower and is considered as a smothering, invasive plant in Ireland.
It is however, useful as a ground cover and when propagated could make a beautiful outdoor plant.
#3.
Algerian ivy (Hedera Algeriensis)
It is shade loving and fast growing.
It is a reliable ground cover and could survive even the harshest weather conditions.
#4.
The leaves are also shaped like rhombus, hence, its botanical name.
It has variegated cultivars with cream margins and streaks instead of red.
It also produces yellow, clustered flowers followed by black-blue fruits.
#5.
It has both variegated and solid color cultivars.
It is slightly drought tolerant but prefers more shade and loves moist soil making it a good outdoor plant.
It is also fast growing, making it necessary to prune regularly.
#6.
It was widely sold as a potted indoor/outdoor plant before it became known as decorative ground cover.
#7.
But because of its three lobed leaves, it is lined in the Hedera family.
It will bloom green flowers in clusters and blue grape fruits.
#8.
It loves moist soil and does not want full sun.
It is known for its dark green, ovate leaves with purple undersides and toothed margins.
#9.
#10.
It has a deep green, triangle shaped, unlobed, gray veined leaves and red stems.
It is slow growing which makes it controllable and good for propagation as indoor and outdoor plant.
It is considered as one of the rarest types of ivy.
#11.
It is endemic to limestone filled areas and is not winter hardy.
It is low maintenance and is good for ground cover, trellis and walls.
#12.
It has large, alternating leaves with green stems.
It is also a woody shrub and a perennial bush.
It is a good ground cover in sloped areas.
#13.
At first the bark is green but will become gray as it matures.
It is considered as an evergreen perennial and typically climbs in damp and shady areas.
#14.
Iberian ivy (Hedera iberica)
It is a perennial climber with aerial roots.
It has broad, lobed, leathery leaves with green, red and purple stems.
It is endemic in the Iberian Peninsula typically in sloped terrains and tree trunks.
It is good for ground covering with no vertical surfaces.
#15.
Madeiran ivy (Hedera maderensis)
It was originally a subspecies of the Iberian ivy.
It is considered as a perennial shrub with aerial roots.
It is similar to the Iberian ivy with its broad, leathery leaves expanding to 9 inches.
It is good for ground cover especially for sloped terrains.
#16.
It is similar to the English ivy with its glossy, dark green, lobed three-leaflet leaves.
It is a vigorous climber on both vertical and non-vertical surfaces.
It is considered as a weed that will smother other plants if uncontrolled.
It is one of the best ground covering plants that you’re free to tap.
#17.
Morocan ivy (Hedera maroccana)
It is a good ground cover for non-vertical surfaces.
It could also be propagated to grow as outdoor shrubs or indoor plants.
It is commonly found climbing on tree trunks and rocky surfaces.
As an outdoor plant, it is an attractive wall or ground cover.
