Caring for ivy

Ivy is a very resistant and very fast growing climber that can be used both to cover walls or walls, as well as to create a green carpet. It is very adaptable, and it does not need frequent waterings to be able to stay beautiful.

It is a perfect plant for beginners, since it could be said that it practically takes care of itself. Because, ivy care is minimal.

Origin and characteristics of ivy

Ivy, which belongs to the botanical genus Hedera, it is an evergreen climber (that is, it looks evergreen) native to Europe, Africa and Asia very fast growing without tendrils. It consists of simple, lobed, alternate, leathery and shiny leaves of a dark green or variegated color with a diameter of between 5 and 10 centimeters. These can be of two types: those of the non-floriferous branches are lobed, while those of the floriferous branches lack lobes.

Its flowers are small, green in color and appear in simple globular umbels that form a corymb. Once they are pollinated, the fruit begins to ripen, which is a black berry similar in size to peas, inside which we will find 2 to 5 seeds. You have to be very careful with this plant, since all its parts are toxic. It is not a question of demonizing it, but simply of informing yourself and avoiding putting it in the gardens where there are children and pets.

It has a fairly fast growth rate, being able to grow about 10-20 centimeters per year, which is why it is a very interesting groundcovering plant.

Types of ivy

There are 15 different types or varieties of ivy. Although they all seem the same to us, the truth is that there are some that are really beautiful. These are some:

What care do you need?

Location

Body exterior:

If we want to have it abroad it is highly recommended to put it in a bright area but without direct sun. If we live in an area with a mild climate or not too hot (with maximum temperatures of 30ºC) it can be given direct sunlight for a few hours in the morning or at dusk, but it will develop better in semi-shade.

Interior

Being one of the most adaptable climbers that exist, we can use them as an indoor plant by placing it in a room where a lot of natural light enters. We can have it as you have the potos (aureum), that is, in a pot only climbing up a tutor, or you can hook its stems, for example, on a door frame or on a wall.

Soil or substrate

It is not demanding at all. Grows well in neutral or slightly acidic soils or substrates (with pH 5 to 7). The only thing we have to take into account is that it must be a land or substrate with good drainage, since it does not tolerate waterlogging well. You have more information on this topic here.

Irrigation

It does not need to be very frequent, especially if we have it on land. Two or three waterings a week will be enough during the hottest months and one or two per week the rest of the year.. Try to use water that is not too calcareous (pH of 7 maximum), since although it is not acidophilus, lime can build up on the surface of the leaves, which can cause problems by clogging your pores.

Subscriber

It is very important to pay it, especially in spring and summer, with organic fertilizers. If we have it in the garden, we can add egg and banana peels, coffee grounds, tea bags, as well as, of course, compost o manure. If instead we have it in a pot, I advise to fertilize it with liquid fertilizers, such as the chemical ones (Universal, Green plants) that they sell in the nurseries, or the guano.

Pruning

It can grow at a rate of 10-20 centimeters per year, so one of the care that must be provided is pruning. The stems must be trimmed with pruning shears previously disinfected with alcohol towards the end of winter or in autumn., with the aim of keeping the development of the plant under control. Also, we have to remove those stems that look sick, weak or dry.

Planting or transplanting time

The best time to plant it in the garden or move it to a larger pot is in spring, when the risk of frost has passed. In the case of having it in a container, we will have to transplant it every two years. By the way, a very simple trick so that the earth does not come out through the drainage holes is to place mesh with very small holes (like the ones that the anti-weed mesh has). This type of fabric allows water to pass through, but not the substrate, so it is very useful útil.

Multiplication

Ivy multiplies by seeds in spring and by cuttings in spring-summer. Let's see how to proceed in each case:

Seeds

If we want to sow the seeds we have to do the following:

1. The first thing we have to do is peel the fruit to reveal the seeds, having previously put on gloves.
2. Next, we thoroughly clean the seeds with water.
3. Then, we fill a pot of about 10,5cm in diameter with universal growing substrate and water.
4. Now, we place a maximum of 3 seeds on the surface of the substrate, as far apart as possible.
5. Afterwards, we cover them with a layer of substrate not very thick (just enough so that they are not exposed directly to the sun).
6. Finally, we spread copper or sulfur to prevent the appearance of fungi, and we water again.

The seeds will germinate in a maximum period of two months.

Cuttings

To multiply ivy by cuttings simply we have to cut stems of about 40cm and place them in a glass with water that we will change daily. Another option is to impregnate the base with rooting hormones and plant them in a pot. They will root after two or three weeks.

Pests

Although it does not usually have problems, it can sometimes be affected by:

• Red spider: they are very small mites, less than 0,5 cm, red in color that are very reminiscent of spiders. They feed on plant cells. We can tell what it has if we see cobwebs between the leaves. Fortunately, we can eliminate them with insecticides such as Chlorpyrifos, or with natural products such as neem oil or potassium soap. More information.
• Mealybugs: they can be several types: cotton wool, or flat. If there are few, we can remove them with a swab from the ears moistened in pharmacy alcohol, but if there are many, I advise using diatomaceous earth (The dose is 30g for each liter of water). More information.
• Aphids: they are parasites of less than 0,5cm that, like the spider mite, feed on the sap of the leaves and stems. They can also be found in flowers. To combat them, the most effective there are are the yellow chromatic traps. They attract parasites, who get hooked on the trap. More information.

Management

The diseases you may have are:

• bacteriosis: they appear in the form of spots on the leaves and cankers on the stem. The most recommended treatment is to cut the affected parts with scissors previously disinfected with pharmacy alcohol.
• Anthracnose: known as canker or chancre is a disease produced by a fungus of the genus Colletotrichum or Gloeosporium. Symptoms in ivy are brown spots on the leaves, around the nerves. The treatment consists of cutting the affected parts and applying copper-based fungicides 3 times at 7-day intervals. More information.
• Powdery mildew: it is a fungus that mainly affects the leaves and fruits, where a kind of white powder will appear. It is treated with copper-based fungicides. More information.
• Bold: usually appears as a consequence of the attack of the mealybugs. It is a fungus that affects any part of the plants, which it covers with a black powder. It is not very serious, but it is advisable to cut the affected parts with previously disinfected scissors and treat with fungicides. More information.

Rusticity

It is a plant quite resistant to cold and frosts of up to -4ºC.. Still, young specimens need a little protection for the first two years.

What uses does ivy have?

This is a plant that has several uses, which are:

• Ornamental: it is very decorative. Its green or variegated leaves look great in any corner, both indoors and outdoors. It can be had to cover floors, walls, lattices, dry tree trunks, and even as a hanging.
• Medicinal: the leaves contain saponin, which is a substance with spasmolytic, expectorant and antitussive action. However, it can only be isolated in laboratories. Remember that this plant is toxic if consumed directly, and can cause vomiting to coma.

Where to buy it and what is the price?

If we intend to get a copy, it will be enough for us to visit a nursery or garden store of the area. It is a very common plant that is sold practically anywhere 🙂. Its price will depend on the size, but to give us an idea, one that is in a 10cm pot can cost 1 or 2 euros; and another that is in a 20-25cm for about 20 euros.

What did you think of the ivy?