5 Tips for Raising Englsih Ivy Indoors

Having an English ivy (Hedera helix) can feel like receiving a little Valentine every time you glance at it. Its trailing stems are covered with charming heart-shaped leaves that range from deep green to lighter shades, with many attractive variegated varieties available as well.

English ivy is naturally a vigorous climbing and spreading plant. Outdoors, it can quickly cover the ground and climb over structures, sometimes growing so aggressively that it is classified as invasive in certain regions.

Raising English Ivy as a Houseplant

When grown indoors, English ivy is much easier to control. Given appropriate lighting, watering, and general care, it can become an exceptionally attractive houseplant. It looks particularly beautiful growing in containers or spilling gracefully over the edges of hanging baskets.

Two common questions from ivy growers are, “Why are my ivy leaves turning brown?” and “Why is my ivy losing its leaves?”

Brown, dry, or falling foliage is often the plant's way of indicating that something is wrong. However, these symptoms can have many different causes, and sometimes several problems occur at once. Ivy may suffer when it receives excessive water, fertilizer, or sunlight. On the other hand, insufficient water or low humidity can create similar problems.

Understanding What Is Wrong With Your Ivy

When multiple problems can produce the same symptoms, figuring out where to begin can be difficult. The best starting point is learning what English ivy prefers and what conditions it dislikes.

Here are five important things to understand when caring for English ivy indoors.

1. Ivies Prefer Medium to Bright Light

English ivy generally performs best in medium light, although it can also grow successfully in brighter conditions. It is possible to keep ivy in a low-light location, but the plant may grow poorly and is unlikely to remain healthy for as long.

Varieties with white or highly variegated foliage generally require less direct sunlight than solid green types. If your home has lower light levels, varieties such as ‘Ingrid Liz,’ ‘Little Hermann,’ and ‘Nena’ can be good choices.

Keep in mind that variegated leaves are particularly vulnerable to damage caused by excessive sunlight, so avoid placing them where strong direct rays can scorch the foliage.

2. Ivies Do Not Like Excessive Water

Avoid watering English ivy too frequently. These plants do not perform well when their growing medium stays constantly wet. Instead, wait until approximately the top inch of the potting mix has dried before watering again.

It is generally safer to keep ivy slightly on the dry side rather than consistently too wet. This principle also applies to many other common houseplants.

Your container should always have drainage holes so excess water can escape easily.

One confusing symptom of overwatering is brown, dry-looking leaf edges. At first glance, this may seem like a sign that the plant needs additional water. In reality, the opposite may be true.

When the roots remain excessively wet, they can become deprived of oxygen and essentially begin to drown. Damaged, waterlogged roots are unable to transport nutrients and water effectively to the rest of the plant. For this reason, allowing the ivy to remain slightly dry between waterings is preferable to keeping it constantly moist.

3. Ivies Appreciate Humid Air

Although English ivy dislikes soggy soil, it does appreciate moisture in the surrounding air. Increasing humidity around the plant can help create a more favorable indoor environment.

One simple method is to place pebbles in a shallow saucer and add water without completely covering the stones. Set the ivy container on top of the pebbles, making sure the pot itself is not sitting directly in the water.

As the water gradually evaporates, it increases the humidity immediately around the plant.

4. Ivies Should Not Be Allowed to Become Too Dry

While overwatering is a common problem, allowing ivy to become excessively dry can also create trouble. A plant that lacks sufficient water becomes stressed, and stressed plants are generally more vulnerable to insects and diseases.

Winter can be particularly challenging for indoor ivy. Reduced natural light combined with dry air produced by furnaces, heaters, and fireplaces can place additional stress on the plant.

Spider mites are one pest that may take advantage of weakened ivy plants. These tiny insects feed by sucking fluids from plant tissues and prefer warm, dry conditions.

If spider mites are present, look carefully at the undersides of the leaves for fine web-like material. The mites themselves are extremely small and may appear as tiny dark specks. Because they reproduce rapidly, a small problem can develop into a significant infestation surprisingly quickly.

To manage spider mites, rinse the foliage thoroughly with water to dislodge the pests. Neem oil can also be applied as another treatment option.

5. Ivies Prefer Cooler Temperatures

English ivy comes from cooler parts of Europe, particularly central and northern regions, so it does not appreciate the high indoor temperatures that many tropical houseplants can tolerate.

English ivy is not native to the United States. Colonial settlers introduced it to the country, where it later became established in many areas.

Inside the home, ivy generally grows best in cooler rooms. Aim for temperatures of approximately 50 to 70°F (10 to 21°C).

Providing moderate light, avoiding waterlogged soil, maintaining reasonable humidity, preventing excessive dryness, and keeping temperatures relatively cool can go a long way toward keeping English ivy healthy and attractive indoors.