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

Ivy species

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 a different shape, depending on the subspecies (there are about 400 tons). Ivy flowers are small, yellow-green. For decorative purposes, the following subspecies are used:

  1. Butterkal - has yellow leaves.
  2. White night - white leaves that have a green border.
  3. Glacier
  4. Lace ivy
  5. mint hummingbird
  6. Louisia ivy
  7. perkeo

Canary ivy is the tallest species among the rest. The plant has very large leaves that can be up to 10 cm long and about 14 cm wide. The color of the leaves is green, with pale veins.

plant care

Among gardeners and housekeepers, ivy has earned fame as an unpretentious and easy-to-care plant. Hedera can grow in the shade, under the bright rays of the sun and be 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 coloring of the leaves, then you should adjust the illumination - a strong shadow or bright sun can ruin the color of the leaves.

When growing ivy, the temperature regime 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, ivy is best moved to a room with room temperature - in this case, a change in the irrigation regime will not be required. If the plant hibernates in a cool place, watering is reduced to such a level as to prevent the soil from drying out in a pot. The plant requires frequent spraying - to maintain air humidity.

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

Reproduction and transplant

If you want to transplant ivy, then it is best to do this in the spring; in the future, the plant can be transplanted once every couple of years. When transplanting, you can use purchased soil or a home-made soil mixture of sand, peat, leaf and sod land (in a ratio of 1: 1: 1: 2). The bottom of the pot during transplantation should be lined with drainage material.

Ivy can be propagated using cuttings that form throughout the year. Cuttings are planted in several pieces in one pot in any substrate.

Pests and diseases

Video lessons

Hedera is an unusual decorative creation that is found in home cultivation 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 should be regular. This liana belongs to the Araliaceae, it is evergreen, has an attractive appearance. Hedera, home care for which is not so difficult, includes about 15 species. It is common in Asia, North Africa, America, in subtropical regions of Europe. It is quite possible that it was precisely because of the flattened roots and the shoots pressed against the support that the liana acquired a similar name.

Hedera in floriculture

Today you can see how it literally wraps around the walls of the premises, clinging to the installed supports. The solid green carpet, which persists even during the winter months, gives the rooms an excellent appearance. But many people have a doubt whether the chedera is so harmless, is it possible to keep it at home? It is worth assuring you that the vine will not bring any harm. It is considered the plant of Gemini, and this is a sign of lightness and inconstancy. If several ivies are grown in a room, then the owners become more easy-going, practical in making decisions.

In home apartments, the common hedera is usually found. It is used for landscaping balconies and loggias, for decorating empty walls, for creating green partitions. Home ivy goes well with other types indoor plants- this is both syngonium, and Chinese magnolia vine, and. Each of these creations is used to create attractive live compositions.

From temperature selection to transplantation

Hedera does not cause difficulties in care, prefers to grow in summer at a temperature of 18 ° C heat. In winter, 6-12 ° C is enough for her. 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 can not put a pot with a plant on the southern windows.

The main condition for growing is watering and humidity. Humidification should be plentiful, but it is also impossible to fill the plant, as the leaves will begin to turn yellow and fall off. Humidity levels should be moderate during the cool months, but during hot weather and temperatures above 20°C, regular spraying is required. Care should be organized so that the plant is comfortable and cozy. If you want to enjoy flowering, then it will be a good neighbor for this decorative centenarian, 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 humidity of the air. This will prevent the appearance of insect pests.

For cultivation, small hanging flowerpots or wall pots are used, but in order for the vine to develop well, it is necessary to constantly fertilize it. This is done about 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 in cold weather it slows down.

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

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

Pests and diseases

Hedera - the plant is not so capricious, but can be prone to various diseases. This is explained not only by the violation of growing conditions, but also by the harmful effects of pests. You can detect damage by ticks, scale insects, thrips. Why is such a neighborhood bad? The foliage begins to deform, and then turn yellow. Control methods are extremely simple, it is only necessary to spray the crown with insecticides, in rare cases repeated actions are required, but usually 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.
  • Hedera mix and variegated species require a sufficient level of lighting. Lack of natural light causes dulling and discoloration of the foliage.
  • If the tips of the leaf plate become dry, then this indicates the presence of dry air around at a high growing temperature. 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 at all that he likes these conditions.
  • Small leaves and twisted stems occur due to lack of light. Another reason for this behavior may be a cramped potty. If you correct the listed errors, then the plant will soon be transformed.

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