Ivy (chedera). Rules of care and reproduction

Popular indoor plants include hedera. This evergreen vine has been grown at home for a long time. It wonderfully decorates the interior of the room and complements flower arrangements. Unpretentious ivy grows quickly and does not require much maintenance. A large number of its varieties allows you to choose a flower for every taste.

Botanical description

Hedera belongs to the evergreen vines of the Araliaceae family. It is native to Europe, but is also common in Africa and Asia. In natural conditions, it reaches a very high height of up to 40 m. It likes to grow in shady forests, entwining trees with its long shoots. In total there are almost 30 varieties of this ivy.

Hedera stems have small roots that provide nutrition to the entire bush. In countries with a mild climate, vines grow in a continuous carpet, entwining the walls of buildings and growing into cracks.

Another favorite type of ivy among gardeners is “Canary” or Hedera Mix. Caring for it at home is not difficult, but in order for it to curl, it needs support. It does not have aerial roots, and its stems need to create a secure base. It has large yellow-white leaves.

The Colchis variety is very popular. This is a very large plant, growing up to 30-40 meters in height. The leaves look like hearts in shape, their sizes reach 25 cm. They have one amazing property of emitting a nutmeg aroma. But flowers and fruits have a very unpleasant smell.

Hedera "Pastukhova" has aerial roots, but it does not have the ability to cling to stones on its own in its natural environment. The leaves of this species are dark green on the top and light green underneath. This ivy is listed in the Red Book of Russia.

Basic rules of care

Since Helix hedera and other species are characterized by rapid growth, it is recommended to prune them in a timely manner. A neglected appearance impairs the decorative properties of ivy. In addition to cutting, they also prune shoots. It is advisable to perform all these procedures when active flower development is observed.

The ivy's mineral composition will provide bright green foliage and intensive growth. It is used twice a month in summer and spring, and once a month in winter. An excess of fertilizing negatively affects the condition of the flower. The composition is applied while watering the plant.

Diseases and pests

When growing indoors, it is recommended to monitor the level of air humidity in the room and water it properly. If the room is hot, the leaves of any type of heder begin to dry. Care at home consists of proper temperature maintenance, regular and moderate watering. Lack of moisture leads to dry soil, after which spider mites appear.

This is an excellent ornamental plant of the Araliaceae family, quite unpretentious, growing quickly and actively. Compared to other indoor flowers, it is easy to grow, does not require constant attention and requires minimal care.

There are more than a hundred different types of hedera, which differ in the shape and color of the leaves. In this article we will talk about an evergreen vine called Hedera. Caring for ivy at home does not require excessive effort. Hedera brings special beauty to any interior, and looks especially picturesque in hanging planters attached to the wall. Dark green, as if “carved”, ivy leaves make any room more elegant.

Hedera: home care

Externally, hedera can be recognized by its dense, leathery, light or dark green, lobed leaves, small flowers, and golden or black berries. The plant has tenacious roots - “hooks”. Thanks to them, the header clings to various surfaces. The photo shows the attachment of ivy to a brick wall using special roots.

In order for ivy to feel good and grow actively, it is necessary to create climatic conditions for it that are close to natural. The optimum temperature in summer should be maintained within +20°C. Ivy feels great in the warm season on the balcony: fresh air perfectly hardens the Hedera flower. In cold weather, the room temperature should be maintained at least +12°C. As for lighting, ivy tolerates both shade and partial shade. It grows well in bright light scattered throughout the room. But do not place the ivy pot in direct sunlight, otherwise the plant may get burned.

Hedera plant. Home care: watering and fertilizing

The hedera is watered regularly, more often and more abundantly in the summer. The substrate in the pot must be constantly moist. The water should be soft and settled. In the cold season, watering is reduced, but the substrate in the pot is not allowed to dry out excessively. Hedera responds well to spraying; it is done regularly, maintaining sufficient humidity.

Hedera is periodically pinched. This is done so that the side branches grow faster. Tip: cut parts of twigs can be used as cuttings. Young hedera is replanted once a year, in the spring. An adult plant is transplanted once every two years. For replanting, choose pots with a diameter of at least 30 cm. To ensure that the plant does not suffer from a lack of microelements, it is periodically, every two weeks, fed with complex fertilizers. They begin to be applied in March and end in August.

Hedera. Home care and treatment

When growing ivy, the watering regime must be observed and the required air humidity must be maintained. Too high a temperature has a bad effect on the plant - its leaves dry out, darken and fall off. To avoid this, it is necessary to water and spray the plant abundantly. If the growing conditions are violated, the hedera can be attacked by pests: scale insects, aphids, etc. To combat them, special ones are used, carefully treating each ivy leaf.

Ivy is very popular among gardeners. It is grown in hanging pots or formed using supports. It grows quickly and purifies the air from harmful substances.

Botanical description

The indoor ivy flower is a representative of the Araliaceae family. According to various sources, the genus includes from six to 15 varieties. All of them grow mainly in mountainous areas - they use trees as supports and spread along the rocks.

Typical representatives of the genus are woody evergreen vines. They are fixed on the supports using special aerial roots that work like suction cups. As they grow, the stems thicken, become covered with bark, and turn into massive, uneven trunks.

The leaves are entire or three-five-lobed, depending on the variety. They are arranged alternately on the stem. Only mature plants over ten years old bloom. The flowers are small, yellow, with a greenish tint, collected in umbrella inflorescences. It is not possible to achieve flowering at home. The most common variety is hedera helix (common ivy).

There is a popular belief that hedera cannot be grown at home. Sometimes ivy is called “husband buster” - it is believed that the flower destroys marriages and forces a man to leave his family. But in Ancient Greece and Rome, ivy was a symbol of marital fidelity, and in the East - longevity. All signs associated with growing ivy at home are nothing more than superstitions.

Popular indoor species

Not all types of heder are common in indoor culture. Mainly three varieties are popular among gardeners.

1. Ordinary. The most common type of ivy. The stems climb along the support or spread across the soil. Aerial roots are formed in large numbers. The leaves are three- to five-lobed, leathery, with a glossy surface. The veins are slightly lighter than the main shade and stand out clearly. There are hybrid varieties that differ in leaf shape and color.
2. Canary. The variety grows the longest vines. The leaves are large, triangular, rich green. Variegated varieties with variegated leaf colors have been artificially bred.
3. Colchis. The shoots are powerful, long, and easily twine around supports. The leaves are large, up to 25 cm long, solid in shape. It is distinguished by its beautiful emerald color and musky scent of leaves.

Hedera leaves are used in folk medicine to treat atherosclerosis, liver, gastrointestinal and lung diseases. Substances contained in ivy juice have anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and bactericidal effects.

Caring for Hedera Helix and creating a favorable microclimate

Ivy grows quickly, easily adapts to apartment conditions, and is considered an unpretentious plant. The main difficulty lies in the need to shape it and the inconvenience of transplanting large adult specimens. How to organize care for indoor ivy at home in order to achieve its high decorative value? When growing vines in an apartment, they try to adhere to the following rules.

• Lighting. Ivy easily tolerates shading and does not like heat and sun. It grows fully on northern windows; the pot can be placed on the east and west sides. Variegated varieties are more demanding of light - the characteristic pattern of the variety is lost in the shade. In winter, additional lighting is provided.
• Temperature . Adapts normally to average room temperature. Temperatures above 25°C lead to lethargy and yellowing of leaves. Optimal conditions of detention are 20-23°C. Small specimens are taken out into the open air in the summer - ivy is not afraid of drafts and temperature changes. During the heating season, the hedera is placed at a distance from the radiators.
• Watering. It is a moisture-loving plant, so the hedera needs to be watered abundantly, especially in the warm season. In winter, reduce the amount of water per watering and the frequency of procedures - water only after the soil surface has dried by 2-3 cm. Use soft, settled water at room temperature. Stagnation of moisture is not allowed - this can damage the root system.
• Humidity . Large ivy leaves actively evaporate liquid. To compensate for its deficiency, hedera needs frequent spraying. When grown in conditions of high humidity, the color of the leaves becomes richer, the veins appear more clearly, branching and growth of green mass increase. Spray hedera only with soft water. Periodically wipe the leaves with a damp cloth, install air humidifiers, and place bowls of water in hot weather. Small specimens can be bathed in the shower.
• Feeding. The rapid growth of the vine requires systematic application of fertilizers. Use ready-made mineral complexes for decorative foliage plants. In the warm season, fertilizers are applied at intervals of one and a half to two weeks. In winter, it is enough to feed once a month.
• The soil . Hedera can grow in almost any soil. The optimal soil for indoor ivy is a mixture of deciduous soil, peat, turf and river sand. The use of ready-made universal mixtures is allowed.
• Transplant. Young specimens are replanted frequently - annually. As they grow, the intervals between transplants increase. Each time the volume of the pot is increased slightly. In large, mature specimens, instead of replanting, the top layer of soil is replaced annually. The roots are superficial - the pot is wide and shallow. The bottom is covered with a layer of drainage material. When transplanting, preference is given to the transshipment method.

In reviews, experienced flower growers write that ivy is a good material for creative experiments. Some people graft hedera shoots onto fatsia, which belongs to the same family. The result is an unusual, willow-like tree.

Trimming and shaping

To form a beautiful bush shape, the heder needs to be pruned periodically. The optimal time for pruning is mid-spring. Remove all bare shoots that have lost their decorative appearance. Too long lashes are shortened by a third or half. The length of all shoots after pruning should be approximately the same.

The bush is formed in the form of an ampelous plant or a climbing vine. In the first case, the hedera is planted in hanging pots, and the length of the vines is adjusted by pruning. In the second case, ropes are pulled, special supports or decorative grilles are used. When grown as a climbing vine, they immediately find the optimal, permanent place - it will not be possible to remove the plant from its supports without damage.

Reproduction methods

Indoor ivy can be propagated vegetatively and by seeds. Seed propagation is complicated by the inability to obtain planting material from one's own plant and the slow growth of seedlings. Therefore, three methods of vegetative propagation are most often used.

By shoots

An effective propagation method that allows you to get several seedlings from one shoot. Planting is carried out in the following sequence of actions.

• Choosing and preparing an escape. Choose a healthy shoot with ten leaves. On one side of the stem, along the entire length, a longitudinal cut is made. To accelerate growth, it is treated with a root formation stimulator.
• Landing. The shoot is laid horizontally, cut side down, on moistened sand. Cover the top with sand in a layer of about 2 cm.
• Care . Keep in a moderately warm place, moisten the sand from time to time, maintaining constant humidity. After a couple of weeks, young shoots appear.
• Transplant. The shoot is taken out of the sand and divided into several parts. Part of the root system and at least one leaf are left on each segment. The resulting seedlings can be planted in separate pots or planted three or four in one container.

Cuttings

Cut apical and stem cuttings about 10 cm long. Under suitable conditions, the cuttings quickly produce roots. There are two ways to root them.

1. In the ground. The base of the cuttings is dipped in a root former solution and immersed in soil consisting of sand and forest soil. Cover the top with a jar or make a polyethylene greenhouse. Maintain moderate soil moisture and temperature at 16-22°C. After signs of growth appear, the shelter is removed and the cuttings are transplanted to a permanent place.
2. In water . Boiled water is poured into a glass, an activated carbon tablet and a little of any root former are added. Sprout in a warm place, with moderate lighting. After the roots appear, they are planted in the ground.

By shoots

Reproduction by shoots is similar to rooting of a shoot. Select a healthy shoot and make a longitudinal incision. The branch is not cut off from the mother plant; it is buried in the same or another pot. Within two weeks, roots form on the stem and shoots appear. They are carefully separated and planted.

The seed method is used mainly for growing new hybrid varieties. The seeds are wrapped in cloth, dipped in a weak solution of a growth stimulator and left for two days. The swollen seeds are planted in small pots and covered with film. Before germination, maintain the temperature at 23-28°C.

Difficulties of growing

Uneven watering, low air humidity and incorrectly selected feeding regime lead to a decrease in the decorativeness of ivy. You can determine which maintenance conditions are violated by the appearance of the plant. The main growing difficulties are summarized in the table.

Table - Problems when growing hedera

Diseases and pests

Most houseplant diseases are not harmful to ivy. Occasionally you have to deal with gray rot. The development of the disease is provoked by excessive dampness and stagnation of air. At the initial stage, a fluffy gray coating appears on the leaves and stems. Immediately cut off all affected tissues and treat with fungicidal agents. If the infection is severe, the plant dies.

Pests cause more trouble. Especially often you have to deal with spider mites, scale insects, and thrips. Pests can be recognized in the initial stages by a number of signs. They are described in detail in the table.

Table - Hedera pests

Caring for a hedera flower is not difficult at all. Ivy is used for landscaping apartments and offices. Valued for its unpretentiousness and rapid growth. Due to the abundance of large leaves, it is considered a good air purifier.

Common ivy, or Hedera helix, is an evergreen climbing shrub that belongs to the Araliaceae family. It has sucker-like roots, thanks to which it attaches to various objects (rocks, trees). Widely distributed in Southwest Asia, Southern, Central and Western Europe. In Russia, ivy can be found on the Black Sea coast and in the Caucasus. This plant is grown indoors; it is quite popular among florist designers because of its hanging looped stems with beautiful decorative leaves. Garden ivy decorates garden plots. It is used to create hedges.

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Description

Indoor ivy is a shrub with a climbing stem. Aerial roots are located on the underside of the stem, with the help of which the vine is attached to the support. The leaves of Hedera helix are simple, leathery, shiny, dark green in color with lighter veins. There are also variegated forms. The leaf plate has 3-7 blades.

Small flowers of a greenish-yellow hue are collected in racemes, corymboses or umbellate inflorescences, but the plant does not bloom at home. Common ivy has about 100 forms, varying in size, leaf color and shape.

Cissus or indoor grapes - types and varieties, rules of care and propagation at home

Types and varieties

The following types and varieties of ivy are the most popular in indoor culture:

View	Description	Varieties
Ordinary	A flexible evergreen vine with simple, leathery, dark green leaves with light green veins.	Mona Lisa is a plant with yellow leaves. Jubilee - distinguished by spotted leaves. Ivalace – variety with corrugated leaves
Colchis	This is an evergreen climbing shrub with thin shoots, large leathery dark green leaves, most often entire	Dentata Variegata has oval leaves with pale yellow edges. Sulfur Heart - light green leaves with downturned edges and yellow-green stripes along the veins. Arborescens - a plant with drooping shoots and oval leaves
Canary	A climbing evergreen plant whose dark green leaves are covered with triangular veins of a light green hue. It does not have aerial roots, so the vine is regularly trimmed and tied to a support	Golden Leaf – Green two-tone leaves have a golden glow in bright light. Brigitte - star-shaped leaves are located on graceful shoots

There are also English varieties with waxy leaves that look similar to artificial ones. They are extremely sensitive to dry air. These include:

• John.
• The Dragon.
• Mix.



Lighting and temperature

Hedera helix is ​​considered a shade-loving plant. Some forms have variegated leaves, so they will need additional lighting. The ideal location for ivy is the western side of the room, while the vine should be protected from direct sunlight. In addition, she does not like to be moved from place to place.

The optimal air temperature for growing indoor ivy is +18 degrees in summer and +12 degrees in winter. It tolerates drafts and sudden temperature changes well. In summer, the plant can be safely placed in a shady place in the garden.



Humidity and watering

If hedera is grown in a cool room, then there is no need to spray it generously. When the temperature rises above +20 degrees, its leaves should be frequently moistened or the container with the flower should be placed on a tray with wet expanded clay or pebbles.

Ivy grown indoors loves moisture. In summer, the soil in the pot should be constantly moist, and in winter the amount of watering should be reduced. In the cool season, the plant is watered after the top soil layer has dried. Use soft, settled water at room temperature. Hedera is advised to take showers more often.

Soil and fertilizing

Caring for indoor ivy involves regular feeding. For this purpose, a fertilizer is used that is intended for decorative deciduous plants. In spring and summer, the vine is fed 2-3 times a month, and in winter – once a month. From excess fertilizer, its leaves begin to turn yellow and dry out.

Ivy can be grown in a soil mixture consisting of peat, sand, leaf and turf soil. The best option is to use a universal substrate containing soil, sand and humus.

Transfer

Indoor ivy is replanted if its roots begin to crawl out of the drainage hole in the pot, or the plant has slowed down its growth and development. In addition, young bushes are replanted every year, and older plants - once every 2 years. An adult vine can do without this procedure; it is enough to renew the top soil layer in the pot.

The transplant is carried out after a dormant period, that is, in March or April. The new pot should be 2–3 cm larger than the previous one.

• A thick layer of drainage is laid at the bottom.
• Before the procedure, the ivy is watered generously so that the earthen lump is completely wet.
• After this, carefully transfer it into a new container, fill it with soil and press it down.
• Hedera is watered and sprayed, after which it is placed in a permanent place, protected from sunlight and drafts.

Reproduction

Ivy is propagated by cuttings. To do this, the ends of shoots 10 cm long are cut off from a healthy plant, planted in a container with a mixture of deciduous soil and sand, covered with a plastic bag and placed in a room with a temperature of +15...+20 degrees. The soil should always be slightly moist. Cuttings that have taken root should be transplanted into pots with a soil mixture intended for adult ivy and continue to care for them.

Hedera (ivy) belongs to the Araliaceae family and is an evergreen climbing plant that in natural conditions can reach thirty meters in height. Today, there are about fifteen varieties of hedera ivy, growing in the subtropical zones of Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America.

Since ancient times, ivy has been one of the most popular and beloved shrubs among gardeners. This is not surprising, because hedera looks equally beautiful both in hanging flower pots and in outdoor flowerpots, has a decorative appearance and is quite easy to propagate. Looks especially chic english ivy.

Common ivy is most often grown indoors, the species of which are distinguished by the variety of shapes and colors of foliage.

Hedera: description and photo

The common hedera has a climbing stem, on the underside of which there are dense brushes of aerial roots. It is with their help that the plant is attached to the support. The leaves are lobed (3 - 7 lobes), leathery, shiny, simple, arranged alternately. Their color is mainly dark green with light veins, but variegated varieties are also found.

Common ivy blooms only in natural conditions. It has small flowers of greenish-yellow color, collected in racemes, corymboses or umbellate inflorescences.

The following types of ivy are usually grown at home:

• ivy Fatshedera Lise;
• canary ivy;
• climbing ivy (common).

Fatsheder's ivy Lise is a very popular new hybrid, reaching a height of up to 5 meters and requiring staking. The Variegata variety looks very impressive with a beige border or white spots on the leaves.

Canarian ivy. This species has large leaves, in most cases variegated in color, and needs to be tied up, as it is unable to cling to support on its own. The variety Gloire de Marengo with its magnificent combination of green and cream shades on the leaves is considered especially popular.

Ivy. The plant has unusual plasticity and is able to curl around any support and cling even to small irregularities.

Popular varieties of this species:

• Little Diamond. The plant has leaves with cream-colored veins.
• Chicago Variegata. Bright green leaves decorated with a yellow-cream border.
• Annette with dark green leaves.
• Chicago. It has small bright green leaves.

Application of ivy

The healing properties of hedera have long been known to mankind, which is why ivy is still widely used in folk medicine and cosmetology. Substances contained in the wood of the plant perfectly relieve spasms, so ivy successfully used to treat acute bronchitis. And hedera leaves have expectorant, antibacterial, antitumor and antifungal properties. Gels made from wood and ivy leaves are used as an additional treatment for cellulite, obesity and purulent dermatoses. However, caution should be exercised as the fruits of the plant are very poisonous and can cause poisoning.

Is it possible to grow hedera at home?

According to old people, indoor ivy is an energy vampire that can attract all kinds of troubles and misfortunes into the house, including loneliness, so if you value your family and do not want to lose your husband, this flower should not be kept in the apartment. However, according to historical documents in Ancient Rome and Greece, ivy, on the contrary, was considered a symbol of fidelity and happiness in marriage, and in the countries of the East the plant is still a source of vital energy. Therefore, everyone chooses for themselves whether to grow ivy at home or not.

Hedera: home care

Caring for the plant is quite simple and does not require much effort, however, some rules, non-compliance with which can lead to a change in appearance and the occurrence of diseases, still exist.

Planting and replanting hedera

If you notice that the plant has stopped growing and developing, or roots have begun to crawl out of the drain hole in the pot, then it is time to replant. However, you don’t have to expect these signs, but simply replace the top layer of soil with fresh (in adult plants), young ivy replant every year, and for an older cheder - once every two years. It is recommended to use the following soil composition: sand, peat, turf, leaf and humus soil in equal proportions.

Plants must be replanted in the spring after the end of the dormant period (March-April). The container should be 2-3 cm larger in diameter than the previous pot. Before replanting, the heder should be watered generously and a layer of drainage should be placed at the bottom of the flowerpot. The transplanted plant needs to be watered and sprayed, and then placed in a permanent place.

Hedera propagation

Ivy reproduces at almost any time of the year, and cuttings quickly take root both in water and in soil. After planting in a permanent place, the plant must be pinched, which will increase the decorative qualities of the hedera. In the first year after planting, ivy must be pinched periodically to ensure good branching.

Hedera helix: diseases

When caring for ivy at home, you should strictly monitor air humidity and follow watering rules. If the room is too hot, the plant's leaves dry out, turn brown and eventually fall off. Spider mites can also cause hedera to dry out.

In addition, ivy can be affected by cyclamen mites, scale insects and aphids. All these pests appear precisely because of the lack of humidity in the room. In this case, it is necessary to urgently take measures to destroy pests, that is, treat with insecticides (karbofos, aktar, actellik, etc.).

Precautionary measures

At home, caring for the plant should be done with rubber gloves. Do not plant the bush in places accessible to children and animals, as the berries and ivy leaves are very poisonous and can cause allergic reactions and skin diseases in people with sensitive skin.

As can be seen from all that has been said, caring for indoor helix hedera is not so difficult; you just need to choose a suitable place for planting, do not forget about watering and periodically spraying. And then you will get a gorgeous plant that will decorate and enliven any room.