English Ivy  (Hedera helix)

Description

English Ivy - Hedera helixGlossy green lobed leaves and cascading vines on the English Ivy have earned it a coveted position as an interior houseplant for years now. Since Hedera helix (the formal name) actually tolerates a broad range of indoor humidity, light and temperature, you won’t be shocked that it’s the ideal plant choice for almost any style home interior. The dangling vines of English Ivy are equally suitable growing out of an up hanging planter as if they were trailing down a wall or up a trellis.

English Ivy thrives in homes, apartments, or offices where the available space is limited and there’s still a need for some plant greenery. You can display this trailing plant in the kitchen, on the study desk, balcony, along with shelves, or the sill in the window. Since it can handle diverse light scenarios, including bright indirect or semi-shady corners, it is often considered a novice’s plant, though brighter light exposure encourages leaf variegation and fuller growth.

In addition to beauty, English ivy has been known to assist in purifying the air by filtering pollutants and can be an elegant addition to the living room or office. Its tiny nursery pot is light enough to pop in the most sophisticated decorative container or leave the baby plant out on display as it gets acclimated.

Key Features

• This trailing habit works well on a shelf or in a hanging basket.
• This plant will not have any problems surviving through winter with its evergreen, lobed leaves.
• While it loves bright, indirect light, you could probably grow this in an indoor corner.
• After the plant is established it really doesn’t need much care at all.
• Filters some common indoor air contaminants. 
• Can be trained up a moss pole or left to cascade free.
• A nice thought for a gift plant or a newbie on the plant scene.

Care at a Glance

Product Specifications

What's in the Box

• 1 x Live English Ivy plant
• 1 × Nursery pot (Bare-rooted / Pot: Optional)
• Well-draining potting mix
• Basic care guide

Important Notes

• Natural variation in vine length, leaf size, and leaf pattern is normal since this is a live plant, not a printed image
• Some leaf drop or wilting may be present, a natural stress from shipment and most plants will normalize within about a week.
• Guard plants against bright, harsh, afternoon sunlight; it is capable of scorching leaves.
• If you plan on this becoming food for humans or your beloved pets, make sure it is inaccessible. 
• Growth rate will tend to decrease in the fall and winter which are typically less conducive months for it to grow. 
• Try not to overwater it - soggy soil kills the roots of this particular plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My English ivy leaves are yellow, what’s wrong? 

A: I’m guessing you’re over watering, if that’s the case and it is in a good draining pot, let the soil dry out at the top inch or so. Another possibility would be an old leaf lower down is just starting to die off.

Q: When to Water English Ivy?

A: Water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feels dry, about once a week or every 9 days indoors, for instance. But always rely on feel over fixed dates, especially since this depends on season and room temp. 

Q: Does English Ivy handle low natural light?

A: It’ll tolerate poor light, but don’t expect much new growth, or much of its coloring for that matter. If your intent is to have healthy English ivy, be sure it receives a few hours of indirect light everyday.

Q: How fast does English ivy grow? 

A: After it is established and based on humidity and light, English ivy will grow moderately fast to extremely fast. In a few months, you'll have quite a bit of growth to trim from as it appears.

Q: How frequently do I have to re-pot my English Ivy plant? 

A: Repotting my English Ivy plant every year to year and a half is pretty common, or when my plant is becoming dry fast and I’m noticing the roots coming out of my drain hole. Get one size bigger, use new and loose potting soil mix.

Q: Will English Ivy harm pets or children? 

A: Unfortunately English Ivy houseplant can be harmful for children and pets as eating berries or leaves of an English Ivy may cause nausea or stomach pain. It should be placed in an elevated position or hanging away from the toddlers or pet.