How to Care for Ivy

Ivy is one of the most popular houseplants thanks to its air cleaning abilities and its beautiful leaves and vines. While ivy outdoors can quickly take over a garden, keeping it as a houseplant will be much more manageable! Keep reading to find out how to keep your ivy thriving. 

How much light does ivy need? 

Ivy plants are native to forest floors and growing around trees, so they are used to dappled sunlight and prefer medium light levels. The brighter the light they receive, the more variegation and color intensity you can expect in their leaves. Indirect light is best, since direct light can cause heat damage or sunburn.

How much water does ivy need? 

Water weekly during the growing season (spring and summer) and reduce watering in the fall when temperatures drop. It’s time to water when the top inch of soil is dry. Make sure your ivy is potted in a well draining soil and a pot with drainage holes. 

Ivy also enjoys humidity, so a humidity tray or humidifier may help it perk up if it seems to be drying out. To create a DIY humidity tray, place some pebbles in a shallow dish, top with water, and place your plant on top to capture the humidity from evaporation. 

Does ivy need fertilizer?

Ivy is a notorious grower, but you may want to help it along if it’s not taking off on its own. Use a 20-20-20 houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength once a month during spring and summer for optimal ivy fertilization. 

What is the best temperature for ivy?

Ivy plants tolerate cooler temperatures well, between 50 and 70 degrees. Keep them away from drafts! 

Pruning, repotting, and propagating ivy

You can trim back leggy vines whenever you need to, as regular pruning encourages your ivy to grow fuller. You will see quicker growth when you prune in early spring leading up to the growing season. 

Repot ivy when it’s root bound and the roots are growing through the drain holes at the bottom of the grower pot. Choose a new pot that is 1-2” wider in diameter -- so if you’re repotting from your existing Wild Interiors pot, choose a 6 or 7 inch pot. Pot with fresh potting soil into a pot with drain holes. 

You can propagate new ivy plants from cuttings of your vines. Cut young vines into short sections just above a leaf (toward the end of the vine) and with about an inch of vine below the leaf (toward the base of the plant). Each section should have one or two leaves -- which means you can propagate several new vines from one! Place the cuttings in either sandy soil or water and you should see root growth ready for replanting within 6-8 weeks. 

Common ivy problems 

Overwatering

Brown, dry edges on your ivy’s leaves indicate overwatering. Back off your watering schedule to let the soil dry out more, and don’t water again until the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry. Check the roots for damage and trim off any rotted roots. 

Underwatering

Too little water means dry soil and a stressed out ivy plant, which can open your plant up to pest infestations. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry to keep your ivy healthy. 

Got Ivy? 

Show off your ivy plants on Instagram and tag us @wild_interiors!