Best in fertile, well-drained soil kept evenly moist.
Water every 5 to 7 days depending on light and temperature. Keep soil evenly moist, but not soggy.
All-purpose potting mix.
Once every month during growing season.
Add a fun, whimsical touch to any outdoor setting with Ivy topiaries. Ivies are perfect for training to a variety of structural forms. Add a little color by using variegated varieties available in blends of green, white or gold. Vines can be trimmed freely to maintain size and a tidy shape.
Ideal for hanging baskets and mixed containers where the foliage can trail over the sides. Nice situated on a shelf or tall plant stand where the plant is free to create a cascade of foliage.
Start with a good quality, commercial potting soil. These are usually lighter in weight than topsoil, sterile and pest-free. Many are available with a mild starter fertilizer in the mix.
Select a container with a drainage hole or be prepared to drill holes for drainage if there are none.
Prepare the container by filling with potting soil up to 2” (5cm) from the rim of the planter. Remove the plant from its pot.
Make a small hole in the soil slightly larger than the root ball either by hand or using a trowel. Insert the plant into the hole and press soil firmly around the roots and just covering the root ball. When all the plants are potted, water thoroughly to settle the soil and give plants a good start. Place plant in a reliably sunny location.
Repot every 2 years in the same container or in a container slightly larger than the diameter of the roots.
Prefers moist but well-drained soil. Check the soil moisture with your finger. If the top 2-4” (5-10cm) of soil is dry, or plants are wilted, it is time to water.
Apply water at the soil level if possible to avoid wetting the foliage. Water the entire soil area until water runs out the base of the pot. This indicates that the soil is thoroughly wet.
Most container plants can be pruned freely to maintain the desired size and shape. Keeping the foliage trimmed also keeps the plants looking neat and tidy, encourages the plant to develop more side-shoots and flowers, and reduces the demand for the plant to develop a larger root system. This is important since the roots are in a confined space.
Fertilizers are available in many forms: granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic or synthetic. Determine which application method is best for the situation and select a product with a nutritional balance designed for foliage plants.
Too much fertilizer can damage plants so it’s important to follow the package directions to determine how much, and how often, to feed plants.
Slow-release fertilizers are an especially good, care-free choice for container plants. A single application can often provide plants with the proper level of nutrition all season long.
My Ivy was doing really well., Then I had to go away for two days when I came back. It was dry so I watered it. Now it is very limp and lifeless. What can I do to revive it?
It’s surprising that your plant declined so quickly. Assuming that it isn’t dead, it may just take some time for it to recover. The best way to know if the plant is still alive is to check the roots. Gently tap the plant root mass out of the pot and inspect the roots. If they are firm, fleshy and light in color, the plant may recover by producing new growth. If the foliage is dead or damaged from getting overly dry, the existing stems may not recover, and you’ll eventually need to prune them off.
You can leave it for now to see what happens. Once new growth appears you can remove the dead foliage and train the new stems back into a topiary. Take care not to overwater during this time. With less foliage to support, the roots won’t be uptaking as much water initially.
If the roots are dark and brittle, they may be damaged to the point where they can no longer function and uptake water. In that case, the plant is unlikely to produce any new growth, and you’ll need to replace your plant.
Ivy are notorious for hosting spider mites and a weakened plant can be especially susceptible. Inspect your plant with a magnifying glass to look for tiny mites or webbing that would indicate an infestation. See our article on Common Houseplant Pests for tips on identification and treatment.