Among phytodesigners and flower growers, indoor ivy is very popular due to its special decorative properties and low maintenance requirements. A flower with creeping shoots and spectacular delta-shaped leaf plates looks harmonious in the interior of a room for any purpose.

Indoor ivy is a plant that is especially loved by florist designers.

In the wild, the climbing evergreen shrub from the Araliaceae family is represented by 15 species that have a wide growing range. As a rule, common ivy and its forms, of which there are more than 100, are grown as a potted crop.

An indoor flower with a climbing stem and aerial roots, with the help of which it clings to a support, does not bloom in an apartment. Flower growers are attracted by decorative leathery leaves with a waxy coating, which can be either plain or variegated.

• Among the most popular varieties are “Eva” with yellow leaves, dwarf Kholibra and variegated “Jubilee”.
• Sometimes another species is used for vertical gardening - Colchis ivy. This is a climbing plant with graceful shoots that are covered with glossy solid, sometimes three-lobed, marsh-colored leaf plates.
• Wax ivy in indoor floriculture is represented by such varieties as Dentata Variegata with variegated oval-shaped foliage, Sulfur Heart with large curled leaf blades and Arborescens.

Plant propagation methods

Indoor types of ivy in apartment conditions reproduce by vegetative methods.

Cuttings

To carry out the procedure, apical cuttings 10 cm long with aerial roots are prepared. After cutting, the planting material is buried in a soil mixture of sand and leaf soil, where it is kept under a film in a warm room. During the rooting process, constant soil moisture is maintained. When the cuttings take root, they are planted in separate flowerpots, several at a time.

By shoots

There is a way to get two or more plants from one shoot at once. For this:

1. A shoot with 8 leaf plates is cut off.
2. An incision is made along the entire length, with which the shoot is laid on the sand, after which it is pressed to a depth of 15 - 20 mm.
3. After rooting, the shoot is divided into parts with roots and one leaf, which are planted in several pieces in small containers with fertile soil mixture.

By layering

The procedure is similar to the previous one described. The main differences are that the cuttings are stapled to the ground and are not separated from the mother plant before rooting.

Growing and caring for ivy at home

Caring for indoor ivy is not difficult.

Even an inexperienced gardener can grow an indoor ivy flower if he follows simple care rules that do not take much time.

Requirements for soil and pot

For an exotic flower, select a small pot with large drainage holes. The plant prefers loose and fertile soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. The optimal composition of the substrate includes leaf, turf, humus soil, peat and sand in equal parts.

Microclimate, proper lighting

A climbing plant from a subtropical climate loves moderate heat and moisture.

• During the active growing season, a comfortable temperature range is considered to be 22 – 24°C. In winter, temperatures may drop, but not below the maximum permissible value of 13°C.
• To create conditions close to natural, the flower should be sprayed with settled water throughout the year and bathed in a warm shower.
• Ivy, or hedera, is a shade-tolerant plant and can grow even in the back of a room. However, the more diffused light the plant receives, the more spectacular it will look. Therefore, when choosing a place that should be decided upon even before purchasing a flower that does not like to move, preference should be given to well-lit areas.

Important! Variegated forms will lose their color when placed in the shade.

How to properly water indoor ivy

A climbing flower with decorative foliage is an ideal plant for people who are often away from home. Ivy can withstand soil drought, but you should not use this quality of the plant too often. The optimal irrigation regime involves maintaining constantly moist soil in the summer without stagnating moisture in the root system. In winter, watering is reduced: before the next portion of water, the earthen lump should dry out slightly.

Feeding and fertilizers

In the spring-summer period, which is when the potted crop grows intensively, ivy is fed every two weeks. For fertilizing, special liquid fertilizers for decorative foliage plants are used.

Carefully! An excess of macro- and microelements in an earthen coma can damage the decorative qualities of the crop, making its leaves too large.

Replanting ivy

You can replant the plant according to the same rule as other indoor flowers: young specimens - every spring, adults - with an interval of 2 years. But you should know that an indicator of the need for the procedure is the appearance of ivy roots in the drainage holes.

The transplant is carried out as follows:

1. A new pot is selected that is 2 cm wider than the old one.
2. Expanded clay or gravel is placed at the bottom of the container to create a drainage layer.
3. A flower with an earthen lump is transferred to the drainage.
4. A new substrate is poured into the pot so that there is a small gap between the wall and the earthen lump for irrigation water.
5. The flower is watered, sprayed and returned to its permanent place.

Plant diseases and pests

The ivy houseplant has excellent immunity to diseases, the occurrence of which is mostly non-infectious in nature:

• Due to prolonged soil drought, leaf fall is observed.
• Due to too low humidity levels, baldness of shoots and shrinkage of foliage occurs.
• Lack of lighting leads to variegated forms losing their characteristic color.

Failure to follow simple rules for keeping plants at home can also cause the appearance of pests such as aphids, scale insects, and spider mites. To prevent the flower from colonizing, you should maintain high humidity in the room and periodically “bathe” the plant.
If insects have already attacked the crop, then you should immediately treat it with an insecticidal preparation according to the instructions indicated on the package. If there is no result, the treatment is repeated after 3 to 5 days.

Myths associated with ivy

Signs and superstitions about indoor ivy have always been present in our lives.

Stories about ivy date back to the Ancient World, when:

• among the Greeks, ivy was a symbol of fun;
• among the ancient Romans, the plant symbolized fidelity, love and marriage;
• The peoples of the East believed that the flower nourishes the owner with vital energy.

Nowadays, a superstition with a negative connotation has appeared, claiming that ivy is an energy vampire and a man-hunter that attracts loneliness.
Thus, indoor ivy is a spectacular ornamental plant that is widely used for vertical gardening of indoor interiors and requires minimal care.

My sister grows an unusual plant. I asked what it was called, she answered: common ivy. It turns out that this culture has medicinal properties: it disinfects the air and saturates it with valuable substances.

Ivy, the photo of which you see, has long been used in folk medicine. In this article we will tell you how to care for a medicinal plant at home.

A distinctive feature of ivy is its climbing stem covered with bristles. The leaves of this plant are dark green with light veins, the flowers are yellowish, collected in small inflorescences. I’ll say right away that ivy grown at home does not bloom. But it's still worth growing it!

As we have already said, the miniature shrub has medicinal properties; it disinfects the air. The plant extract is added to medicines and skin care products. Wood contains components that have an analgesic effect.

The plant eliminates spasms and relieves pain. It is added to medications to treat bronchitis. The leaves have antitumor and antibacterial effects. Thanks to its unique composition, ivy breaks down fats and also improves skin turgor.

Cosmetics containing the extract of this plant are always in demand. When using ivy for medicinal purposes, you must be careful, as it is poisonous. It is worth remembering that the fruits are not edible.

How to care for ivy at home?

The advantage of a houseplant is that it does not make high demands on living conditions. Common ivy does not need to be illuminated, as it is shade-tolerant.

You can place it on a windowsill or even in a corner. However, if you are growing a variegated variety, create favorable lighting. If you place a variegated variety in the shade, the leaves will become monochromatic and the plant will lose its zest.

I advise you to add water if necessary. Do not allow the roots to become waterlogged, otherwise they will rot! I recommend spraying the plant. If it does not receive enough moisture, the leaves darken at the edges, after which they dry out and fall off.

In summer you need to water the bush more often. For it to grow well at home, the air temperature should be within + 23 degrees.

In winter, you can keep the plant on the veranda at a temperature of + 15 degrees. I do not recommend placing shrubs near heating appliances; the leaves may become faded and unattractive.

For watering and spraying, soft, settled water should be used. In order for home ivy to survive the winter well, you need to place the pot on a tray with wet expanded clay.

If the room is too stuffy, spray the plant with a spray bottle. I recommend fertilizing from early spring to late summer. Use complex formulations intended for houseplants. However, you can't overdo it!

An excess of nutrients is more harmful than a deficiency and can lead to the death of the plant. Ivy that has received a large amount of fertilizer will have larger leaves.

Transplanting a mini-shrub

Any indoor plant does not tolerate picking well. I advise you to replant ivy when several roots break through the soil. Shrubs that have stopped developing also require picking. I replant ivy once every 14 months. When picking, change the soil mixture to a new one.

In order for the plant to take root at home, make a substrate from humus, peat, sand and leaf soil. I recommend replanting ivy during the dormant period: early March or late April.

The new container should be 3-4 cm larger than the previous one. Don't forget to put drainage at the bottom! Before replanting ivy, moisten the substrate generously.

Pick carefully, try not to touch the roots. The plant must be replanted with a ball of earth. After that, water it, add water from a spray bottle. Place your home culture where there are no drafts. It is shade-tolerant, but does not tolerate direct sunlight.

Reproduction methods

You can use apical cuttings. Cut off the tips of the branches 8 - 10 cm in size, prepare a soil mixture of sand and leaf soil mixed in equal proportions. Place the cuttings in the substrate, cover with plastic wrap (you can use a jar instead). Cuttings develop favorably at air temperatures from + 16 to + 21 degrees.

The soil mixture should always be moistened, but not wet. Cuttings with aerial roots take root well. It is recommended to place them in boxes of several pieces. If you wish, place the planting material in water. Ivy plants can be propagated by shoots.

This method allows you to grow several plants from one. It is necessary to cut off a shoot that has 7-9 leaves, and then cut it lengthwise.

The planting material must be laid on the sand, the hole should be located at the bottom. Press the shoot down 2 cm. When it begins to sprout, moisten the soil substrate every day. After 2 weeks, the planting material will take root.

You will need to remove it, divide it into 3 parts and transplant it into a spacious pot.

Diseases, pests

Ivy is resistant to diseases, but they occur with improper care. Excess moisture leads to the roots beginning to rot. If a variegated variety does not get enough sunlight, the leaves darken and lose their attractiveness. In some cases they dry out.
Culture can be attacked:

• scale insect;
• spider mite

To ensure pest prevention, you need to spray not only the plant, but also the air around it. If indoor ivy is already sick, insecticides should be used. The most popular drug is Actellik.

“Where does this unusual culture come from?” - you ask. In the wild, it grows in the forests and forest-steppes of Russia. Caring for it at home is not difficult, the main thing is to add water in moderation and fight pests that attack when the air is extremely dry.

Indoor ivy belongs to the Araliaceae family. This is a woody vine with stems that climb using sucker roots. The plant has one peculiarity: the appearance of its leaves changes with age.

Currently, there are about 450 varieties of indoor ivy. They differ in size, shape and color of leaves. Ivy flowers are inconspicuous and small. At home, ivy blooms very rarely. The homeland of ivy is Europe.

The most common types in home floriculture are:

Hedera helix ssp. canariensis - Canarian ivy.

Canary ivy is a large species of ivy, distinguished by dark red petioles of large, up to 20 cm long, leaves. The most popular variety of this species is the Variegata variety: its popularity is ensured by its beautiful white veined leaves.

Ivy reaches a height of 100 to 200 cm or more.

Canary ivy needs regular but moderate watering, prefers partial shade and diffused light, air temperature +15...+20 degrees. During the growth period, it needs weekly feeding. To enhance branching in young plants, pinching the tips of the shoots is done. Propagation is done by stem cuttings (link). The plant is replanted once every 2-3 years.

Hedera helix - Common ivy.

This type of ivy is used mainly for decorating the walls of buildings, since it is able to conquer any vertical surface.

Once the ivy is planted, it needs regular watering until it is fully established, but this is only if you do not use mulching. When mulched and there is fertile soil, ivy is practically not watered, with the exception of a lack of precipitation for a week or two.

What is mulching used for? First, it retains moisture and improves soil structure, prevents weeds, and also retains soil moisture and cools the soil. 5-10 cm of sawdust or leaf compost is used as mulch.

As fertilizers, you can use nitrogen fertilizers at the rate of 6 tablespoons per square meter of soil surface. It is better to fertilize ivy in the spring. The main thing is not to overdo it, since an excess of nitrogen can lead to loss of color (especially true for the ‘Golden Dust’ or ‘Jubilee’ varieties).

After a dry autumn, it is necessary to saturate the soil where the ivy grows with water. This is done so that the bright sun or strong wind does not lead to “burning” of the foliage. Newly planted plants on the south side must be covered with white film.

Ivy propagation

Common ivy is propagated by cuttings and layering. A cut piece of stem with a top 10-15 cm long and 3-4 lower leaves removed is placed in a glass of water 1/3 of its length, or in a pot with wet sand, vermiculite or a mixture of well-mixed garden soil (1/3) and perlite (2/3).

Root formation usually occurs within 4-6 weeks. To check this, try to pull the cuttings out of the pot: if you feel resistance, it means that the roots have definitely already formed.

Basic rules for keeping indoor ivy:

Optimum temperature - +15 - +17 degrees;
Loves spraying and washing leaves in the shower;
To maintain the necessary humidity in winter, it is better to place the pot with the plant in a tray with wet expanded clay or gravel;
During the period of vegetative growth, it is necessary to fertilize with universal fertilizer once a week; in winter - once a week.
Variegated ivies need a lot of light, but they are contraindicated in direct sunlight and kept in a dark place.

Question asked on the forum on keeping ivy at home:

Over the winter, almost all the shoots of my ivy died and the leaves fell off. Why did this happen?
Lyubov NOSKOVA

An important factor in keeping hedera in winter is coolness. The plant does not tolerate hot, dry air from central heating radiators at all and may die, despite frequent spraying. If possible, ivy should be placed in a bright, cool place, watering should be reduced, thus giving it the opportunity to rest. The optimal temperature at this time is +10-12 degrees.

By the way, the summer heat also adversely affects the well-being of ivy. In the warm season, it is advisable to take the plants “on vacation” to the balcony or loggia, placing them in a place protected from direct sunlight. In the fresh air, plants bush and grow actively, the foliage becomes more saturated in color. They are helped in this by daily temperature changes, night coolness, and air that is more humid than indoors. The shoots grow additional sucker roots, as in nature, and with their help they attach to any protrusions and uneven walls and climb up.

Reproduction

Rooting cuttings is best done at the end of summer. Cuttings 8-20 cm long are planted 2-3 pieces in a pot with a soil mixture of the following composition: turf, humus soil and sand in equal proportions. After this, the cuttings are covered with a glass jar and sprayed and watered regularly.

The second method of propagation is that the cut shoot with 8-10 leaves is laid horizontally in a groove. The groove is 1.5-2 cm deep and is made in wet sand. The leaves remain on the surface of the sand.

On the tenth day, underground roots are formed from the aerial roots and the tip of the shoot begins to grow. After two weeks, the shoot is removed from the sand and cut into cuttings with one leaf and roots. Plant 3 cuttings in small pots.

Transfer

Once every 2-3 years, the plant needs to be replanted into a larger pot (its volume should be 2-3 cm larger than the size of the rhizome). Drainage placed at the bottom of the pot will ensure access of water and air to the roots. The main composition of the soil used for replanting is formed from: turf, leaf soil, humus, part of peat and sand at the rate of (1: 1: 1: 1: 1).

It is better to replant in the spring after a dormant period. In the first years of life, the plant is replanted annually; in the future, only the top layer of soil can be changed. The transplant should be done when you notice that the ivy has stopped growing.

Question asked on the forum on the maintenance of house ivy:

After transplantation, the ivy does not want to grow at all. In six months it produced only a few new leaves. Why?
Galina ZHUKOVICH

Hedera usually grows quite quickly; some varieties have increased the length of their shoots by almost half a meter over the course of a season. Poor growth can be caused by several factors. Perhaps the soil is not suitable. Hedera develops well in a slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5), permeable, light mixture of leaf soil, peat and sand (2:2:1). Heavy, excessively nutritious mixtures lead to plant oppression. Drainage is required.

The pot for planting hedera needs to be small, corresponding to the size of the root system. The plant develops better in cramped containers.

A possible reason for the poor growth of the transplanted plant may be insufficient lighting. Hedera, of course, is shade-tolerant, but develops better in bright, diffused light, especially variegated varieties. Then the leaf petioles and internodes are shortened, the foliage covers the shoots more densely, and in general the plant looks more attractive.

Certain subtleties of care

If there is a lack of light, ivy leaves become faded; to prevent this from happening, provide the plant with the necessary amount of light, but remember that ivy prefers diffused light rather than direct sunlight.

Ivy requires special care in winter. High room temperature leads to dry air. Ivy feels great at an air temperature of +15-17 degrees, while it needs abundant watering and is demanding on air humidity.

During the growing season, the plant needs feeding and possibly replanting. Monitor growth, replant as necessary and feed the plant once a week.

Possible difficulties

Pests and diseases

If improperly cared for, ivy is affected by spider mites and scale insects.

Question asked on the forum on keeping ivy indoors:

A cobweb appeared on the ivy, and the leaves quickly began to fall. I water it moderately, spraying it every day if possible. Maybe it's a tick?
Alena RYBIK

The tick simply “adores” headers. Unfavorable factors and care costs that weaken the plant’s immunity lead to the appearance of spider mites and red mites. Dry air, high temperatures and insufficient watering contribute to this. The mite spreads quickly and can destroy a plant in 2-3 weeks. Therefore, at the first signs of its appearance, it is necessary to carry out 2-3 treatments with an interval of 5-6 days with special acaricidal preparations (Fitoverm, Neoron, Actellik, Omite), diluted according to the instructions, or in a slightly higher concentration. It is better to alternate medications. Carry out the treatment in the fresh air. Before this, the plant can be washed in the shower (to remove most of the pests) and the foliage allowed to dry.

Among the alternative remedies, a solution of laundry soap helps me deal with mites, or better yet, foam dishwashing detergent. I apply it to the leaves, leave it for about an hour, then wash it off. However, unlike the use of “chemistry”, such procedures have to be carried out twice as many (about 5 treatments). I tie the pot with a plastic bag. I advise, without waiting for the tick to appear, to carry out preventive treatments twice a year - in the spring (since the plant is weakened over the winter and the risk of its damage is high) and in the fall before wintering. It is also important to give plants showers more often. Sometimes ivy can be attacked by another, no less malicious pest - the scale insect. I carefully and repeatedly (as I find it) remove it manually with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, and additionally spill the soil with an actara or tanrek.

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Different representatives have different leaf colors: dark green, yellow, cream, gray, silver or golden. In addition, the edges of the leaves may be marked with a yellow-cream or white-cream border. The stem has aerial roots, with the help of which ivy clings to various surfaces, grows and easily entwines them.

The flowering period usually occurs when the plant reaches the age of 10-12 years. Between August and November, yellow-green inflorescences appear, shaped like umbrellas, with an unpleasant odor. Later, poisonous blue-black berries grow in their place, reaching no more than 10 mm in diameter. The natural habitat of common ivy is the territories of Southern Europe, Asia and Africa with a subtropical climate.

You can also meet him in Crimea, the Caucasus, and the Baltic states. In nature it grows mainly in deciduous and oak forests, as well as lowlands and foothills. It is believed that common ivy is one of the most ancient plants cultivated for decorative purposes.

Currently, it is often grown in parks for landscaping walls, gazebos, arches and other vertical surfaces. Moreover, it is an excellent ground cover option for creating spectacular green carpets. Common ivy or any of its varieties can become a very interesting decorative element for interior spaces as well.

It is enough to insert an unusually shaped support into the pot and carry out pruning in a timely manner to get a beautiful plant. Ivy is no less attractive as a hanging option, if you simply plant it in a hanging pot. Some varieties can be used to form lush bushes if you pinch the tops of the plant in time.

Ivy. About some representatives

Thanks to the work of breeders, common ivy is represented in several varieties in home floriculture.

Varieties Hedera helix Annette and Hedera helix Green Ripple They are distinguished by smooth green leaves without any features.

For species Hedera helix Harald and Hedera helix Scutifolia Characteristic leaves are almost round in shape.

Varieties Hedera helix Chicago, Hedera helix Annette and Hedera helix Green Ripple They are distinguished by small, five-lobed green leaves.

Hedera helix Sagittaefolia may be of interest to gardeners for its star-shaped leaves.

Leaves with striking ruffled edges are found on Hedera helix Cristata and Hedera helix Ivalace .

Varieties Hedera helix Eva and Hedera helix Mona Lisa They have almost yellow leaves. Famous variety Hedera helix Glacier Attracts attention with small leaves with a pattern of silver dots and white-cream edges.

Ivy. Care

Common ivy is valued not only for the decorative beauty of its leaves, but also for its ease of care. All that is required of the gardener is to follow a few rules, thanks to which it is easy to create the ideal atmosphere for the full growth and development of the plant.

Lighting

Diffused light is ideal for varieties with pure green leaves. Variegated varieties of common ivy require bright lighting to maintain the decorative beauty of the leaves, but do not tolerate exposure to direct sunlight, changes in location and, accordingly, lighting conditions.

Ivy Photo

If the plant does not receive enough light, care should be taken to provide an additional source.

Temperature

Common ivy grows well at 20-24ºС in the spring-summer season. In the cold season, it must be kept at a temperature of 12-15º C.

Watering

The soil in which common ivy grows requires regular moistening as it dries. During cool and cold periods, watering is reduced to 1 time every 2-3 days.

Humidity

It is necessary to ensure a sufficient level of humidity in the room, especially in conditions of central heating. For example, you can place a pot of a plant in a tray of pebbles and keep them moist at all times. Spraying has a positive effect on the entire plant, especially if the ivy is kept in a warm room. Periodically, the plant is also given a shower.

Substrate

For planting a new or replanting an adult plant, a mixture of clay-turf soil with the addition of humus and coarse sand is suitable. A good option is also a mixture of turf and humus soil, peat and sand in a ratio of 2:1:1:1. There must be a good drainage layer at the bottom of the pot to drain excess liquid.

Fertilizer

March-September is a period of active growth, so it is recommended to feed ivy with mineral fertilizer 2-3 times a month according to the instructions. In winter, once will be enough. Feeding too frequently will not bring any benefit to the plant.

Ivy Photo

On the contrary, most likely the leaves of common ivy will lose their decorative effect, becoming too large.

Transfer

If the plant is young, it is better to change the soil annually. Adult specimens are usually replanted once every 2-3 years, when the earthen ball is completely entwined with ivy roots. March or April is suitable for replanting a grown plant and updating the substrate. The transshipment method can be used all year round.

The ivy is transferred from the now small pot to a larger one along with a lump of earth. All that remains is to add the required amount of earthen mixture. The main advantage of this method is that the root system receives absolutely no damage. Regardless of the transplanting method, care should be taken to ensure a good drainage layer at the bottom of the pot. This will allow the plant to get rid of excess water and the root system to receive more oxygen.

Reproduction

In home floriculture, common ivy reproduces well by cuttings, shoots or layering. It is best to do this in spring and early summer. In the first case, small cuttings 5-10 cm long, preferably with aerial roots, are cut from the mother plant. You can place part of the plant in a glass of water or prepare a mixture of peat and sand in advance for planting it.

Once the young plants are well established (this can take 4 to 6 weeks), they can be transplanted into pots with a more suitable substrate. When propagating by layering, one of the shoots of an adult plant must be placed in a pot with peat and sand and sprinkled with soil, securing it well with special staples. After rooting, the shoot is carefully separated from the main flower, and the shoot becomes an independent plant.

Ivy Photo

The method of propagating a plant by shoots is very convenient if you need to get a lot of shoots.

So, the shoot, on which it is desirable to have about 10 leaves, is immersed in sand, while the leaves remain above the surface. After about 10 days, roots appear. The shoot is removed from the sand and divided into small cuttings so that each one must have 1 leaf and roots.

Indoor ivy. Diseases and pests

If the shape of the leaves is deformed and their surface becomes sticky, then the plant is probably infected with aphids. It is especially dangerous in the spring and summer. You can get rid of this pest by washing the plant with soapy water (10 g per liter of water) or treating it with an appropriate insecticide (for example, dilute 2 g of pyrethrum per 1 liter of water).

If small gray-brown spots appear on the upper side of the leaves, and a thin cobweb appears on the lower side, it means that the ivy has been affected by spider mites. It is necessary to increase the level of air humidity in the room, and treat the plant itself with an insecticide and regularly spray the leaves. Spraying the leaves with a prepared infusion of onion peels also works well.

If brown-brown spots are noticed on the underside of the leaves, and almost white on the front, orange thrips have settled on the plant. The result of their activity is yellow leaves, which soon dry out and fall off. Ivy must be treated twice with an interval of 7-10 days with pyrethrum (2 g of substance per 1 liter of water).

If the plant begins to grow small leaves, it may not be receiving enough light. It is recommended to take care of a brighter place for good ivy growth in the summer or find an artificial source of additional lighting in the winter.

If the leaves suddenly turn yellow, you most likely need to reduce heavy watering, especially if the room temperature is low. If the tips of the leaves become brown and dry, it means that the air in the room is very dry or the temperature is high, and the watering and air humidity do not meet the standards.

Hedera, or home ivy, is a flower that can be found in almost every home. This evergreen plant does not require complex care and takes root well in any conditions. Even in an insufficiently lit room with a fairly low temperature, it continues to actively grow and develop. The only thing this flower cannot tolerate is drying out of the soil. Drought can cause the leaves to drop completely. The Mediterranean is the birthplace of the flower.

Ivy today, thanks to the work of breeders, is represented in floriculture by more than one hundred varieties of indoor plants.

What's so attractive about ivy?

The ivy flower, photos of which can often be seen on the pages of floriculture publications, belongs to the Araliaceae family. The plant belongs to the deciduous-decorative, shade-tolerant variety. It has a second, popular name - loach. It is a shrub with many leaves. It received its popular name due to the fact that the adventitious roots wrap around any supports located nearby and cling to them.

Two types of leaves grow on one bush: on flowering branches there are light green and whole leaves that have an oblong shape; non-flowering branches are covered with dark green leaves of an angular-lobed shape.

Has ivy flowers collected in brushes. They are located on the upper branches. Their corolla consists of 5 petals, 5 stamens and a calyx consisting of 5 cloves. The pistil has a short column with a fleshy disc at the very base. The flower bears fruit. Yellow or black berries with seeds are its fruits.

The variety of forms, high variability and ease of care have turned indoor ivy flowers, photos of which you can see below, into popular and widespread plants for vertical gardening in home floriculture. Numerous varieties have different leaf shapes, sizes and colors. The most common leaf shape is five-lobed, but there are varieties with oval leaves or with elongated tips, star-shaped leaves. Most often, the edges of the leaf blades are smooth, but they can also be corrugated or slightly wavy.

The leaves are in most cases a smooth green color, but sometimes they are a bizarre combination of yellow and green, white and cream. The ivy flower, a photo of which can decorate the cover of any publication for lovers of house plants, calendars or postcards, is so popular due to its decorative nature, ease of care, resistance to temperature changes and drafts, and rapid growth. How to care for him?

Ivy (flower): care

If you decide to grow this beautiful plant in your home, first choose a place for it. It is necessary to take into account that the indoor ivy flower is a shade-loving plant. It does not tolerate bright light, and especially direct sunlight. Therefore, a place with soft, diffused sunlight is ideal for it. It could even be in the middle of the room.

The only exception is variegated ivy. Flowers of this species, if there is insufficient lighting, may lose their characteristic decorative effect - the leaves will very quickly turn an even green color. Many people grow ivy as an hanging plant. In this case, it is better to place it against the wall so that the plant has room for young shoots.

Air humidity and temperature

These figures depend on the season. So, in summer the most comfortable temperature for plants is up to + 25 °C; dry air and heat are contraindicated for ivy. In hot weather, it is advisable to move young plants to a cooler place (for example, in the shade on a balcony or loggia). Daily spraying is required, as well as dousing the leaves with water. This will help refresh the plant and wash away dust.

In winter, it is better to keep indoor ivy flowers in a fairly cool room at a temperature of +12 °C. Please note that the flower should not be placed near heating devices. But if there is no other place, then you should increase the humidity - often water and spray. If the air temperature is much higher than necessary, place the pot on a tray with water and expanded clay.

Home ivy, a flower whose photo you can see below, quite easily tolerates drafts and even significant temperature fluctuations (up to 10 °C).

What kind of soil is needed?

Ivy is not too picky about the soil. Flowers develop well in slightly acidic soil (pH - 6.5). It should include in equal parts:

• turf;
• leaf soil;
• humus;
• sand;
• peat.

The soil mixture should be loose and slightly moist (in summer). In winter, the soil is left moist inside, and the top layer is slightly dried. You need to know that hedera tolerates a lack of moisture much better than its excess.

Water the plant twice a week (in summer) and once a week in winter. These are general rules, but in each case you should focus on the air temperature and humidity.

Plants are fed twice a month in the warm season, and once a month in winter. For feeding, complex fertilizers intended for indoor deciduous plants are used.

Trimming

Sooner or later the time comes when it is necessary to prune the ivy. Flowers tolerate this periodic procedure quite easily. It is best to do this during the period of active plant growth. Pruning is necessary to create a beautiful lush crown and remove old, diseased, bare shoots. But when pruning, it is necessary to leave 1-2 buds. Later, new young shoots will appear from them.

Transfer

When does a plant need to be replanted at home? The first time you will need it almost immediately after purchasing the flower. Quite often, hedera is sold in a transport substrate. After ten days (the plant needs to adapt to new conditions), the substrate must be completely removed, while being careful not to damage the roots. It should be replanted in a wide pot with expanded clay drainage.

Young plants must be replanted every year, after three years - once every two years, after five years it is not recommended to replant ivy, you can only replace the top layer of soil with a new one. Transplantation is recommended in spring or early autumn. The most effective method is transfer: immediately after watering, the plant with the old clod of earth is planted in a new container, 2 cm larger in diameter than the previous one. The resulting cracks are carefully filled with fresh soil. The plant is watered and sprayed well.

Reproduction

Indoor ivy can be propagated in three main ways:

• cuttings;
• shoots;
• layering.

In the first case, the starting material is apical stem cuttings (length no more than 10 cm) with aerial roots. Cut the cuttings and plant them in a pot with a nutrient mixture consisting of sand and leaf soil. Three cuttings can be planted in one pot. Immediately after planting, the plant is watered and covered with transparent plastic film. Moisten the soil periodically to prevent it from drying out.

After rooting, the seedlings are transferred to separate pots. You can germinate the cuttings in a jar of water until roots appear, having first removed the lower leaves on the shoot. This method is used most often by indoor floriculture enthusiasts.

Reproduction by shoots

Using this method, you can get several rooted shoots from one stem at once. Cut a shoot with ten leaves and bury it two centimeters in wet sand. The leaves remain on the surface. You can make cuts along the entire length of the stem - this simple technique will speed up rooting. Water the shoot and constantly moisten the sand until roots appear. This process takes approximately 2-3 weeks. You will understand that roots have appeared when you see new leaves.

Now you can remove the stem from the sand and cut it into pieces. Each of them must have a leaf and roots. They need to be planted in pots. As a result, you will get several new plants. The disadvantages of this method include the lengthy rooting process.

Reproduction by layering

This method is more often used when keeping a flower in open ground, when the grower does not want to take a shoot from the flower. If the container in which your indoor ivy grows allows, then it can be used at home. To do this, bend the shoot-lash to the ground, make a longitudinal cut along the stem and cover it with earth. The whip must be secured so that it does not straighten. After rooting, it can be cut off from the bush and transplanted into a separate pot.

Features of care and disease

Indoor ivy is a plant with high immunity. Therefore, the cause of its death can only be neglect of the rules of cultivation and care. Most often, beginning flower growers face the following problems:

1. Variegated varieties lose their decorative effect and fade over time. The reason may be a lack of light. Saving a plant is quite simple - just move the flower to a bright place.
2. The leaves become smaller and actively fall off. This usually occurs at low air humidity. To help the plant, it is necessary to spray it more often, normalize watering, and feed it with fertilizers;
3. The leaves are turning yellow. Provokes excess moisture or fertilizing.

The most common plant pests (especially in dry air) are:

• scale insect, which deprives the leaves of nutrition;
• aphids (most often winged). It feeds on sap and kills young leaves and shoots;
• affecting leaves. It infects the plant with a fungus and slows down the growth of the plant;
• red spider mite infecting the stem.

Treatment of ivy and pest control includes spraying, as well as watering with a solution of special preparations - “Aktellik”, “Karbofos”, “Aktara”. The procedure is repeated every three days. If the disease is advanced, treatment of the aboveground part of the plant with an insecticide is allowed.

Useful and healing properties of ivy

This plant, in addition to its high decorative qualities, has useful properties:

• cleans the indoor air from harmful impurities:
• saturates it with oxygen;
• destroys fecal bacteria (this is important when there is a pet in the house).

Hedera leaves contain large amounts of provitamin A, vitamin E, hederin, carotene, oleic and tannic acids. Ivy leaves are included in medications (anti-inflammatory, expectorant, antispasmodic).

This plant is called a home pharmacy. Traditional healers have used the healing properties of loach for a long time:

• infusions and decoctions of leaves (dry) cure cough;
• for calluses, a paste of fresh leaves is used;
• An infusion of leaves effectively helps with rheumatism and arthritis. In addition, an infusion of roots helps in the treatment of boils, burns, and scabies.

Myths and prejudices

Sometimes novice flower growers doubt whether they can keep this flower at home. This is caused by rumors that ivy is a muzhegon. Does the flower, the photo of which we posted in our article, “survive” all the plants from the house? Is that really true? And that's not all: the flower is considered a homewrecker and an energy vampire.

However, there is no scientific evidence for such speculation. Moreover, in Scandinavian countries, ivy is a mandatory attribute of the spouses' bedroom - here they believe that the hedera tightly binds family members. In the East, ivy is recognized as a source of vital energy, so they try to plant and grow it in every home.

Don't believe in prejudices. If you like ivy, feel free to get this plant. It is unpretentious, useful and beautiful.