Hedera (ivy) is a type of evergreen vine that grows in the subtropical zones of Asia, Europe, and North America. Ivy is best used for landscaping vertical planes, creating a “living” surface. In a plant glossy leaves, which are divided into several blades (three, five or seven). Some species may have another type of leaves: oval or needle-shaped. Hedera flowers are small and not expressive.

Types of ivy

Common ivy is one of the most common species. It has flexible and long stems with roots that stick to surfaces. The leaves of the plant can have different shapes, depending on the subspecies (there are about 400). Ivy flowers are small and yellow-green in color. The following subspecies are used for decorative purposes:

  1. Buttercal - has yellow leaves.
  2. White Night - white leaves with a green border.
  3. Glacier
  4. lace ivy
  5. Peppermint Hummingbird
  6. Louisia ivy
  7. Perkeo

Canary ivy is the tallest species among the rest. The plant has very large leaves that can reach 10 cm in length and about 14 cm in width. The color of the leaves is green, with pale veins.

Plant care

Among gardeners and housekeepers, ivy has earned the reputation of being an unpretentious and easy-to-care plant. Hedera can grow in the shade, under the bright rays of the sun and in a room without heating.

Despite the unpretentiousness of ivy, some types of plants require simple care.

If you decide to grow ivy with variegated leaf coloring, then you should regulate the lighting - strong shadow or bright sun can spoil the color of the leaves.

When growing ivy, the temperature should be maintained: about 13 degrees in winter and about 20 in summer.

In summer and spring, the plant should be watered regularly. In winter, it is best to move ivy to a room at room temperature - in this case, changing the watering regime will not be required. If the plant overwinters in a cool place, watering is reduced to such a level as to prevent the soil in the pot from drying out. The plant requires frequent spraying to maintain air humidity.

Hedera is fertilized during periods of active vegetative growth, namely in summer and spring. Feeding is carried out up to 3 times a month. In winter, fertilizing is done once a month.

Reproduction and transplantation

If you want to replant ivy, it is best to do this in the spring; in the future, the plant can be replanted once every couple of years. When replanting, you can use purchased soil or a homemade soil mixture of sand, peat, leaf and turf soil (in the ratio 1:1:1:2). When replanting, the bottom of the pot should be lined with drainage material.

Ivy can be propagated using cuttings that are formed throughout the year. Cuttings are planted several at a time in one pot in any substrate.

Pests and diseases

Video lessons

Hedera is an unusual decorative creature that is found in home growing often. Ivy, or hedera, is extremely unpretentious; almost anyone can grow a vine. But this does not mean that you can put the pot in any corner and forget about it, the flower loves attention, care for it must be regular. This liana belongs to the Araliaceae, it is evergreen and has an attractive appearance. Hedera, which is not so difficult to care for at home, includes about 15 species. It is common in Asia, North Africa, America, and subtropical regions of Europe. It is quite possible that it was precisely because of the flattened roots and shoots pressed against the support that the vine acquired such a name.

Hedera in floriculture

Today you can see how it literally wraps around the walls of rooms, clinging to installed supports. A continuous green carpet, which lasts even in the winter months, gives the premises a superb appearance. But many people have doubts about whether hedera is so harmless and whether it is possible to keep it at home? It is worth assuring you that the vine will not cause any harm. It is considered the plant of Gemini, and this is a sign of lightness and impermanence. If several ivy are grown in a room, then the owners become easier-going and practical in making decisions.

Common hedera is commonly found in home apartments. It is used for landscaping balconies and loggias, for decorating empty walls, and for creating green partitions. House ivy goes well with other species indoor plants- this is syngonium, and Chinese lemongrass, and. Each of the listed creatures is used to create attractive live compositions.

From temperature selection to transplantation

Hedera does not cause difficulties in care; it prefers to grow in summer at a temperature of 18 °C. In winter, 6-12 °C is enough for her. The lighting should not be too bright. This plant prefers partial shade, but there should not be a lack of natural light, as the bright color will fade. You cannot place a pot with a plant on the south windows.

The main conditions for growing are watering and humidity. Moisturizing should be plentiful, but the plant should not be flooded, as the leaves will begin to turn yellow and fall off. The humidity level during the cool months should be moderate, but in hot weather and at temperatures above 20 °C, regular spraying is already required. Care should be organized so that the plant is comfortable and cozy. If you want to enjoy flowering, then a good neighbor for this decorative long-liver will be; you can plant them both at home and in the garden.

It is much more difficult to create the necessary winter coolness. It is imperative to reduce watering and place the pot in a bright but cool place. If this is not possible, then it is recommended to increase the air humidity. This will prevent pests from appearing.

Small hanging flowerpots or wall pots are used for growing, but in order for the vine to develop well, it must be constantly fertilized. This is done approximately 2-3 times in spring and summer, and in autumn and winter, feeding is reduced to 1 time per month. Growth continues all year round, but slows down in cold weather.

  • humus;
  • fine sand;
  • turf in equal parts.

Ivy is most often propagated by apical cuttings; this process can be carried out throughout the year. The cuttings are cut and then rooted in water. prefers this too. The peculiarity of the vine is that it produces a large number of branches. To ensure this condition, shoots are periodically pinched.

Pests and diseases

Hedera is a plant that is not so capricious, but can be susceptible to various diseases. This is explained not only by violation of growing conditions, but also by the harmful effects of pests. You can detect damage from mites, scale insects, and thrips. Why is such a neighborhood harmful? The foliage begins to deform and then turn yellow. Control methods are extremely simple, you only need to spray the crown with insecticides; in rare cases, repeated actions are required, but usually the insects disappear quickly.

Decorative liana

Other diseases include:

  • The leaves begin to turn yellow - this is a sign that there is too much water, while the ambient temperature is low. A similar phenomenon can be observed with a large amount of fertilizers.
  • For mixed hedera and variegated species, a sufficient level of lighting is required. Lack of natural light causes foliage to fade and lose color.
  • If the tips of the leaf blade become dry, this indicates the presence of dry air around at high growing temperatures. Watering in this case is also insufficient.
  • If the branches have less foliage than usual, then this is a sign of poor lighting. Ivy can tolerate shade, but this does not mean that it likes these conditions.
  • Small leaves and twisted stems occur due to lack of light. Another reason for this behavior may be a cramped pot. If you correct the listed errors, the plant will soon be transformed.

Hedera is a beautiful vine that many people grow at home. It adapts quickly, but still requires compliance with lighting and watering rules. If care is organized correctly, then ivy long years will delight you with its beautiful appearance.