How to Grow Hedera - Planting & Caring

By Sharon & Team   /   Liana Category   /   2023

Hedera, or ivy, is a popular evergreen climbing plant. Though most often seen growing up the side of a building, ?edera can also be grown as a ground cover or in containers. With its glossy green leaves and ability to tolerate a wide range of conditions, ?edera is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to care for.

How to Grow Hedera - Planting & Caring

Growing Easiness

Is it easy to grow Hedera plant? Although it's a very easy plant to grow, ?edera needs some attention. It's best to plant ?edera in moist, well-drained soil in partial shade. ?edera will also do well in full sun, but it's important to make sure the soil stays moist. ?edera can be propagated by division in spring or fall.

Plant Size

How big can it be? Because it is possible to grow in a pot, it can be kept at a manageable size for indoor spaces. If left to grow unchecked, it can reach up to 2m in height. It typically takes the form of a bush, but can be kept in a more controlled, single-stemmed form by regularly cutting off shoots at a height of about 45cm.

Growth Rate

How fast is the growth? The Ivy is a very popular plant. It is a very good climber and can reach heights of 30-45 cm per year.

Hedera Basic Knowledge

Plant Form Liana
Family Araliaceae
Origin Forests of Europe, Asia and Africa

Lifespan, Perennial or Annuals

How long is the lifespan? Common ly known as English ivy, Hedera helix is a vigorous, fast-growing, Evergreen climber. A versatile plant, it is ideal for growing in sun or shade, in any aspect, in any soil. It is tolerant of salt-laden winds, so is perfect for coastal gardens. Once established, it is drought tolerant.

Ideal Temperature

What is the ideal temperature? The plant is quite heat-loving and prefers a temperature of 64.4 degrees Fahrenheit in summer. If the temperature rises above this, the plant needs to be sprayed regularly. In winter, the minimum temperature for the plant is 44.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity

What about the humidity? The reason it is good to spray the leaves is not only to increase the humidity (especially if the air in the room is dry), but also to wash off the dust that has accumulated on them. If the leaves are very dirty, it is better to wash them with a soft sponge and soapy water, and then rinse with plain water.

Light Requirement

What amount of light this plant needed? Unless a variegated form, Hedera enjoy bright diffused light but will also tolerate some shade. North windows are often best, but they will also do well in shaded areas and penumbraes. They can also grow well under artificial illumination.

Soil Composition

What is good soil for Hedera? Since the plant belongs to the epiphytes family, it is better to choose a light soil. The soil must be breathable, sand or perlite should be added if it is too dense. For a mixture of self-cooking should take: 1 part leaf earth, 1 part peat and light turf and garden soil. You can use 2 parts of turf, 2 parts of leaf land and 1 part of sand. Good drainage is required. Always use a pot with a hole.

Watering Time

How much I must water Hedera? While the soil should be moist, watering no more than 1-2 times a week in the summer. In winter, watering is limited, every 7-10 days.

Fertilizing and Nutritient

About fertilizer. The leaves of the plant are used to make a tea, which acts as a liquid fertilizer. It is rich in nitrogen and potassium and can be used on a variety of plants, including tomatoes, peppers, and roses.

Reproduction

How to reproduce Hedera? The plant can be propagated by apical cuttings which are about 15 cm long and have several buds. The cuttings can root in moist sand at a temperature of 68-79 °F. A greenhouse is not required. It is easy to cuttings root in the water. The plant can also be reproduced by layers.

Bloom

Why Hedera won't bloom? The plant is about 10-12 years old and blooms with small flowers that have an unpleasant smell.

Transfer or Repotting

How much I must water Hedera? When and how many times to replant ivy at home? Young plants ivy transplanted twice a year, then every 2-3 years in spring in a larger pot. Ivy (Hedera) - a plant belonging to the family Araliaceae. The homeland of ivy - the Mediterranean. In our country, ivy is often grown as a houseplant. Ivy - a plant that does not tolerate transplantation, so the transplant is carried out very carefully. As soon as the size of the pot is the maximum desired value, it is sufficient to change the top layer of the soil.

Caring The Hedera

How to care the plant? While pruning, you should leave a height of 30 cm for the plant. The plant requires a support to grow on, in the form of a bush. It can also be grown in hanging baskets. To stimulate growth, the plant should be regularly pinched at the top (1-2 times a year). The plant loves a hot shower. In variegated forms, shoots of completely green color sometimes appear, and they should be removed. The air roots of ivy cling to surrounding objects and can spoil the furniture.

Pests & Challenges

What is the challenge when caring Hedera plant? Although it is unpretentious in the care, but it is very capricious. It is affected most often by a spider mites, as well as aphids, scutes, thrips, mealybugs. In older plants, the fall of the lower leaves is a natural process, the plants need to be cut off. Leaves turn black with waterlogging. Extended elongated shoots and small leaves indicate a lack of light. The leaves of variegated forms fade, and young leaves are formed very small from lack of light. Leaves of variegated forms can also turn green from excess nitrogen in the soil. Leaves pale from the excess of sunlight. The tips of the leaves turn brown in too dry air or from lack of watering. Too slow growth is observed with a lack of nutrition.

Toxic & Poisonous Type

Are Hedera poisonous? known as Ivy, the ?edera plant is a common climbing shrub that is often found in gardens. All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, and skin contact can cause symptoms ranging from redness, itching and rash to painful blisters and skin burns. If you suspect that you or someone else has come into contact with the ?edera plant, it is important to seek medical help immediately.