How to Plant and Grow English Ivy

English ivy is an old-school houseplant that's still trendy thanks to its easy-care nature, elegant look, and versatile stems. A plethora of varieties are available—look for selections that have foliage in varying shades of green, as well as marked with silver, white, or chartreuse. There is a wide variety of leaf shapes, too, so it's easy to get just the look for your home decor. In addition to its beauty, English ivy, like many houseplants, may help purify the air by removing particulate matter like mold spores, as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as the harmful chemicals found in paints and cleaning products. There is one caveat: It is toxic to humans and pets so put it high off the ground out of reach for kids and pets.

Where to Plant English Ivy

English ivy is commonly grown as a houseplant. Despite its cold hardiness, it is recommended to keep it indoors and not plant it in your garden because it is an invasive plant that has spread beyond cultivation into natural areas where it is competing with native plants and spreading into tree canopies.

You can grow this vine a number of ways in your home. Its trailing stems are perfect for growing in hanging baskets suspended in front of a window or on a shelf. Its pliable stems also make English ivy a classic plant for topiaries, so you can grow it up a moss form to add a touch of elegance to your favorite room.

English ivy's low-maintenance character make it a perfect plant for bright bathrooms, bedrooms, and offices.

English Ivy Care Tips

Light

Indoors, grow English ivy in a spot with medium to bright light. The plant tolerates low light, but over time it tends to get weak and spindly. If you have a low-light spot that's perfect for English ivy, try rotating it with another plant every couple of months to keep it healthy.

Soil and Water

Plant English ivy in rich, loose potting mix with excellent drainage.

English ivy has medium water needs, so it doesn't want to dry out completely, but it also can't stay wet for extended periods, or the roots will rot and die. To develop a watering schedule when you first get English ivy, water it well, then check the soil every few days to see when it needs watering again. Do this a few times and you'll develop a rhythm for your plant. During the winter, when the plant goes dormant, cut down on the watering and only water sparingly when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Temperature and Humidity

English ivy does best in a room temperature on the cooler end between 50 and 70 degrees F. The plant is not overly temperature-sensitive but watch out for drafty spots. If English ivy is exposed to hot or cold drafts, the leaves will brown and crisp prematurely. Keep it away from heating and air-conditioning vents, as well as ill-fitting old doors or windows.

Low humidity in heated rooms in the winter can be an issue. A relative humidity of 40 percent (which is about the average indoor humidity) is ideal. In the winter, it helps to place the pot on a tray of wet pebbles, mist the plant when the humidity is low, or use a room humidifier.

Fertilizer

English ivy does not require much fertilizer. During the growing season from spring through fall, fertilize the plant once a month with a high-nitrogen water-soluble fertilizer, following product label instructions.

Pruning

To prevent English ivy growing long and leggy, use scissors or pruners to cut the vines just above a leaf. This will encourage a bushier growth.

Potting and Repotting

Choose a pot with large drainage holes because English ivy does not like wet feet. Fill it with well-draining potting mix.

Repot when the roots reach the sides of the pot, which can be two to three years depending on the growth rate. Choose a container one to two inches wider than the current pot and fill it with fresh, well-draining potting mix. Water it well after repotting.

Pests and Problems

When grown as a houseplant, English ivy is rarely affected by pests and diseases. The most commonly found pests on English ivy indoors are mealybugs, mites, aphids, whiteflies, and scale. Spider mites are attracted to English ivy, but you can help keep these pests at bay by growing your English ivy in a spot with above-average humidity (mites are deterred by humid air) or in cool temperatures (below 70°F). If you are concerned about pests and plant diseases, purchase your plant from a reputable source.

How to Propagate English Ivy

English ivy is very easy to propagate. Take a 4- to 5-inch cutting that has at least 3 to 4 leaf nodes. Remove any of the bottom leaves and put the cutting in a vase with water. Place it in a sunny window and make sure the cut end is submerged at all times. After a few weeks, roots will form. When the roots are about 1 inch long, plant it in a pot with well-draining potting mix.

Types of English Ivy

'Glacier' English Ivy

Hedera helix ‘Glacier’ is a variegated cultivar with three-prong, gray-green leaves edged in silvery white.

'Needlepoint' English Ivy

The distinctive feature of the cultivar Hedera helix 'Needlepoint' are its fine-textured, deeply lobed, rich green leaves.

Variegated Algerian Ivy

Hedera algeriensis is a cousin of English ivy. It comes in different types, including the variegated cultivar 'Gloire de Marengo' with large, three-prong leaves edged in white.