English ivy is one of those plants which need very less or no maintenance at all. They fall into the category of running plants and can easily grow on the branches of one another, spreading on the tree barks, walls, or even on the ground. They do not have any specific season for growth. They can grow almost everywhere in moist soil and are also used for decoration purposes in some countries. This article enlists some of the common reasons behind English Ivy dying,
Saving a Dying English Ivy
Reasons for English Ivy Dying
As the Ivy are running plants, they have their roots sunken down into the ground. As longer the branches spread, the roots grow under the ground. It might not get enough water because of these widely spread roots and eventually die. When placed indoors in small plant pots, the roots might not get enough space to spread and provide nutrients to the leaves, which is also the reason behind in the death of these plants.
They are best grown in woodlands and moist soil. If the soil is too dry, the leaves will end up getting brown-yellow in color and fall off. They need the right amount of water, not less, not more and constant fertilizers to stay healthy and green. If placed indoors, large pots should be used providing enough space for the roots to spread.
Some people think that they look pretty but English Ivy can be extremely dangerous for the environment. When grown in woodlands or even in our gardens, the roots spread widely under the ground. The English Ivy plant has high levels of nitrogen in them. When spread under the ground, the soil gets deprived of nitrogen levels due to which no other plants can grow there, making the soil infertile, causing extreme damage to the environment.
When they climb up the tree bark or walls of your house, they can end up causing fungus in them due to the presence of extreme moisture. The constant watering can also make the structural frame of your house weak. Moreover, they naturally produce a steroid called sapogenin in them which is toxic for some animals. As they spread widely in woodlands, many animals might die by eating them. This can make some of the native species go extinct and can be harmful to the ecosystem.
Benefits of English Ivy
When there were no temperature controlling systems, these plants were used to cover the buildings in ancient times. They have the ability to keep the building safe from extreme cold and hot weather conditions. They can even protect the walls from rain and sun. They have bright green leaves, which makes the buildings look more aesthetically pleasing.
Many researchers and herbalists think that these plants can also be used for medicinal benefits as well. People ingesr the leaves for many liver diseases, spleen disorders, etc. They are even applied to the skin for treating different kinds of allergies and rashes. The Ivy plant has antioxidants that herbalists use to treat asthma, bronchitis, inflammation, etc.
Conclusion
The English Ivy is a controversial plant. Many people think it is beneficial, while the rest assume it is a harmful plant. They have the ability to filter the air and control temperature naturally, which is amazing. While on the other hand, they can be dangerous for our pets and children or even some older people who have dementia and tend to forget things.
Nowadays, most people think that these plants should not be used or even sold in the markets because they are constantly damaging the ecosystem. Due to them, many of the species have become extinct. They make the soil rich in nitrogen, which cannot even be used to plant other seeds and eventually become infertile. Due to these reasons, people do not take care of or avoid using them, which causes the death of English Ivy plants.
Based on my personal opinion and research, I think that these Ivy’s should be used. You always have the option to make alterations in the existing ways. They should be planted in large pots rather than grounds. This will help to protect the soil from high amounts of nitrogen. The pots should be hung up high with the ceilings, so they are out of reach. In this way, they will keep on filtering the air around you without causing any harm.
You will find mixed views about them all over the internet. We have stated both the benefits and the reason why they are being avoided or not being used frequently as they were in the past and dying. I hope this article helps you make your decision and do whatever is best for you and suits your surroundings.
