Hedera helix, more commonly known as English ivy, is an adaptable perennial plant that can be cultivated in a wide variety of environments.
Ivies can be stored in containers, suspended baskets, at the bottom of other houseplants, and in their pots. Ivy is frequently trained into various formal and whimsical patterns by being shaped on lattice frames or wire bonsai forms.
There are two schools of thought regarding the English Ivy: either you despise it and consider it an invasive species that you will never be able to eradicate, or you adore it.
You admire how lush and verdant it can make your garden or house appear. It is not only a plant that may quickly take over your garden but also requires specific attention while you prune it back and make it more sustainable.
Growing English Ivy as a Houseplant
Planting English ivy in your home is an excellent way to bring a splash of color and texture from the outdoors into your living room. Because of its ability to filter and clean the air, English ivy makes an excellent choice for an indoor houseplant.
If you want to plant English ivy indoors, you must first place the ivy in a vessel that is just big enough to accommodate the plant’s roots, and then you must position the container in an area that receives a great deal of indirect light.
During the growing season, moisten the soil and provide the ivy with fertilizer. To maintain the health of your English ivy, you must keep an eye out for any signs of illness or pests.
It will grow in even the most adverse conditions in your garden. This seemingly invincible plant does have very precise requirements for its growth environment; after all, even the hardiest plant has its constraints.
Maintenance of English Ivy Plant
When it comes to maintaining the health of your (house)plants, getting the watering just right is often the single most crucial thing to do.
Since it is possible to cultivate English ivy both indoors and outdoors, we will examine the most effective methods of watering English ivy, both when it is planted inside and when it is planted outside.
Your English Ivy likes wet conditions, but it prefers not to be left in a water pool. In the next section of our guide on taking care of plants, we will discuss the type of soil necessary for the proper growth of your ivy.
For the time being, we will concentrate on the most effective methods for watering your English Ivy plant when it is kept inside.
Watering Your English Ivy Adequately
If you want your English Ivy to remain healthy after planting it in a pot and bringing it indoors, you must maintain a consistently moist environment for the soil. It is essential to know that moist soil is different from wet soil.
Before adding more water, you must determine how much moisture is already in the soil. You may determine whether or not the ivy needs water by using your finger to examine the upper inch of the earth; if the upper inch is dry, the ivy does not have enough water.
Pour water onto the soil and wait for the excess to run out of the container before adding more water. Please use warm water to the touch, preferably lukewarm, but it must be at least room temperature.
How Much Water Does an English Ivy Need?
When your soil is damp, it has absorbed all the moisture it can hold, but there is no pool of water at the bottom of the container where your plants are growing.
The damp soil has ingested such a large quantity of moisture, causing the excess water to leak down to the base of the container.
It is recommended to steer clear of this puddle of water that forms at the bottom of the container, as root rot is the most prevalent consequence of its presence.
Conditions That Determine the Quantity of Water for English Ivies
The climate, locality, and the conditions in which you grew the English ivy all play a role in determining how frequently you need to water the English ivy.
When English ivy is cultivated indoors, it takes around four to five days for the soil to dry out to the point where water can be poured into the plant; however, when it is grown outside, it requires water more frequently.
The morning and the evening are the recommended times for watering ivy; after that, the plant does best when left to its own devices.
These evergreen plants tend to trail and climb and require little to no upkeep. It is simple to provide these with water without endangering them through overwatering.
It does not matter if you are cultivating ivy indoors or outdoors; in any case, you must adhere to a specific routine to maintain the plants’ health. It can grow unlike any other plant if the conditions are right.
Underwatering an English Ivy Plant
Ivy requires very little maintenance and can be grown outside in a yard or as a decorative plant along the side of a house. It climbs quickly and incorporates its surroundings in a short time, but if it is not adequately hydrated, it will die within a few days.
If you are growing your ivy outside, it is important to ensure that the soil stays moist. Ivy requires a great deal of water to thrive; however, you can prevent the need for continuous watering by laying down vermiculite and compost.
This will maintain the ivy’s moisture content for several days after the last time it was cared for. Your ivy should be planted in a portion of your yard or garden that does not receive direct sunlight and has soil that drains well.
Additionally, the soil should be rich in organic matter. Ivy is susceptible to sunburn whether it has been watered or not.
Overwatering Your English Ivy Plant
You must give your houseplants the right amount of water; green ivy is no exception. The soil should be fertilized using a general-purpose mix, and you should feel free to add natural food to stimulate development.
The soil should be well-drained. You should water the soil two or three times per week to keep it moist, but you shouldn’t water it too much.
Give the soil some time to drink up the water before adding more, and stop when you notice it can no longer hold the water you’ve supplied to it. Indoor ivy enjoys damp, cool surroundings. Please try to preserve it in temperatures of approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit and only partial sunlight.
The temperature of Water Recommended for English Ivy Plant
These English ivy plants require lukewarm water to optimal room temperature, the temperature of the water we drink constantly.
To cultivate ivy indoors successfully, you must ensure the temperature is not too high. This is because higher temperatures make it easier for the soil to lose its moisture content.
The growth of English ivy can be accelerated by maintaining a moist soil environment in the container it is grown in. Watering is the only assignment that can either make or break the plant.
Is Overwatering Damaging to the English Ivy Plant?
Some individuals are guilty of watering English ivy too frequently, which might kill the plant. Because of this, the plant loses leaves, some of its leaves become yellow, etc.
This plant will not perish even if its soil is allowed to get excessively dry, but if it is allowed to become excessively moist, the roots of the plant will suffer damage.
Therefore, take care not to overwater, and if you discover that you have, by accident, done so, wait a few days and then determine whether or not the soil has dried up.
The browning of the leaves on English ivy is caused by overwatering, which leads to root rot. Because of the excess water, the ivy’s roots may not be able to give the plant the necessary nutrients if they are too wet.
If you keep this advice in mind and put it into practice, you won’t have any issues cultivating English ivy or any other plant form.
Our Final Thoughts
The English Ivy is a luxuriant plant that grows in many different regions. Since it is a climber, it can quickly encompass the floor and the walls it grows nearby.
This makes it very efficient. But if it is controlled, green ivy can become a beautiful addition to a garden or even a houseplant.
When given the appropriate attention and care, ivy can adjust to any environment swiftly it is placed in. Ivy must receive consistent watering to remain in good health. Watering is essential to the happiness of any plant, but especially so for ivy.
You may also like:
- How to Grow English Ivy on a Trellis
- How to Propagate English Ivy from a Cutting
- How Do You Transplant English Ivy
- Why Is My English Ivy Drooping?

Hi! I’m Sophia, and I love plants – especially an expert in growing house plants. I stay in Chicago, United States of America, and through my blog and social media platforms, provide tips and tricks on how to grow healthy, vibrant plants indoors. Check out more here.