How to Take Care of Ivy Plants

It's easy to see why ivy is such a popular houseplant. With its trailing, vining habit and classic lobed leaves, the ivy connotes romance and elegance. Hundreds of ivy cultivars are available to choose from in a wide variety of leaf shapes, sizes and colors. Ivy is adaptable, lending itself beautifully to a hanging basket or winding its way up a support. Ivy is the classic topiary plant because of its willingness to grow up and around structures.

There are a number of ivy species to choose from. Three are commonly grown indoors:

• Algerian ivy (Hedera caneriensis) has large leaves and is a rapid grower, making it ideal for a hanging basket. It's commonly used by the florist trade in bouquets.

• Persian ivy (Hedera colchica) is another vigorous grower. Its leaves are leathery and heart-shaped, and can be 3 to 8 inches long. When crushed, the leaves give off a distinctive aroma.

• English ivy (Hedera helix) is probably the best known ivy and an excellent houseplant for a beginner.

The American Ivy Society uses an eight-category system to identify ivy, with categories including:

• Variegated--These ivies have two or more colors, including white, cream, gold, yellow, or chartreuse.

• Bird's foot--As their name suggests, these ivies look like the feet of a bird, with narrow lobes and a long, thin leaf.

• Fans--Fan ivies have broad leaves with 5 to 9 lobes of equal length, resembling a fan.

• Curlies--These ivies have leaves which are wavy, ruffled or ridged.

• Heart-shaped--Sometimes called "sweethearts," these ivies have a leathery look and are rarely lobed.

• Miniatures-- The smallest ivies are slow growers whose largest leaves are no bigger than 3/4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide, making them good terrarium subjects.

An ivy plant can fall into more than one of these categories.

Some interesting cultivars to look for:

• 'Duckfoot' has a mounding form and miniature duckfoot-shaped leaves.

• 'Gold Heart' has heart-shaped leaves with centers of creamy yellow.

• 'Shamrock' is a miniature bird's foot variety with deeply cut, rounded lobes.

• 'Curly Locks' has large, rounded curly leaves with rippled lobes.

Use a good rich all-purpose potting soil, or a soil-less potting mix. Make sure the container has good drainage.

Your ivy will tolerate average indoor temperature and humidity, but it will do best in cool, moist air. Increase humidity by using a plant tray with pebbles in shallow water. Misting your ivy, particularly during the dry winter months, helps keep the leaves from drying out and discourages spider mites. Keep the plant out of drafty areas.

Place your ivy in medium- to bright-filtered light. Avoid sitting it in direct sun in a south or west-facing window as this could cause the leaves to burn. in general, variegated forms require more light. If an ivy's variegation disappears, that is an indication that the plant requires more light. You can also successfully grow your ivy under artificial light in a basement or office setting.

When watering your ivy, use warm water. Remember that the plant does not need as much water in the winter months as it does the rest of the year. Keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy.

Feed your ivy during its active growth period, spring through fall. Use a fertilizer intended for foliage plants.

Pinching an ivy's vines serves two purposes: It will keep the plant bushy and full, and it allows you to make new plants. Pinch or cut the stem right above a leaf.

Strip the lower leaves of your cuttings. Place the stems in a glass with enough water to cover an inch or so of the lower stems.

Within a couple of weeks, you will see roots emerging from the lower ends of the cuttings. As soon as the roots become well devleoped, you can pot the stems to share with others.

The leaves of the ivy are poisonous, and can cause skin irritation. Ivy is toxic only if eaten in large quantities, but it is best to keep it out of reach of pets and children.