Growing English ivy requires no complicated mechanism or labor. If you have the slightest knowledge of growing English ivy, the task is easy. The reason is due to its insensitivity to carefulness. Surprisingly English ivy needs little care. Ivy plants are also easygoing with the availability of light. It can be grown in both less shade and full shade.
Apart from its ornamental characteristic, it works best in filtering toxins from the air. English ivy is commonly known as a houseplant, which is why it can be grown anywhere, whether at home in hanging baskets or pots of its own. However, it is less sensitive to light in summer but susceptible in winters. Someone may ask the logic behind this; the obvious answer would be that it is friendly to a steady flow of light towards it, whereas direct light damages its leaves.
English ivy is of two kinds. Each has its own specifications and structure. English ivy is formed into Juvenile and Mature. The juvenile form consists of leaves with addition to 3 to 5 lobes and herbaceous stems. The Mature form is different only in lobes and stems. Although recognized as a serious weed of landscapes, parks, natural ecosystems, and other areas, it is still marketed as an ornamental plant in the United States.
The most liked plant is English ivy for decorative purposes, as it remains green the whole year. It provides decorative cover to walls and grounds. English ivy grows in woodlands, hedgerows, upland areas. forest edges, and fields. It does not thrive in extremely moist or wet or but will grow in a wide range of soil pH.
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How and When to Fertilize English Ivy
English ivy is an evergreen, fast-growing climbing plant that covers the cottage, grounds, brick walls and can survive in almost any condition. It is a beautiful bright light houseplant that cleans up the air from carbon dioxide, benzene, and formaldehyde and is known for being the best air purifier. This is an outdoor and indoor plant that is easy to grow unless you know the mechanism that makes it grow faster.
Ivy houseplant has seven types, and among them, English ivy is one of the most common plants grown in the household. This is a tough plant that mostly grows in a hot climate indoors, outdoors, or in containers. These plants can pull through the shade, partial shade, or under sunlight.
English ivy grows up to 9 feet annually indoors. This plant attaches to the surface through a glue-like structure by releasing Glue like substance that sticks to the surface and can climb over anything. The fruit of this plant is dark blue or black in color, having a seed inside, and has a plump outer layer that can be poisonous to plants and pets.
The growth of this plant is ensured by using good quality fertilizers, and by taking care of many other factors that can affect the speed of growth, the plant can become much healthier. So the factors that contribute to the growth of the ivy plant are discussed below.
Factors Affecting the Growth of English Ivy
Numerous factors contribute to the growth of this plant. As this is the fastest growing plant, its initial growth period is prolonged. The growth is accelerated in the second and the third year, but by taking the right care and ideal conditions, it reaches upto 9 feet per year.
Determine Hardiness Zone
Good conditions contribute to the fastest growth of this plant. By determining the hardiness zone based on temperature and location, the growth of this plant can increase rapidly outside of zones 4 to 9. The hardness of the zone is the location that determines which type of plant can grow fast and well in which certain area.
Water
Water is an essential element in the growth of plants. The water can hold out against the period of drought in which lack of precipitation occurs, which reduces moisture in the soil that results in crop damage. Young plants need adequate water and highly moisturized soil for their growth. This plant also needs water in its initial growing stage but reduces the limit in winters.
Ivy loves humidity, which helps this plan revive and becomes fresh as soon as it is drying out.
Light
English Ivy can survive in the minimum intensity of light. These plants are sensitive to strong light and can grow fully in shades or partial shades. Being native to the forest floor, this plant is habitual of partial shade and favors medium sunlight.
Temperature
This plant can survive in any temperature condition, but this plant is known to grow well during the season of fall, but 15-25C is the ideal temperature for this plant to grow.
Fertilizer
The Ivy plant needs fertilizer in its initial growth stages, but it reduces to once or twice a week as the growth starts. Liquid fertilizers are then later used that contribute to the growth of this plan. Make sure to use appropriate quantity or English ivy can start to die.
Which Fertilizer is Best for English Ivy Plants and Why?
The 20-20-20 houseplant fertilizer is the best and premium fertilizer for the English Ivy plant once a month. Ivy plants need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that is an excellent soluble mineral fertilizer when dissolved in water, and is fed to the plant once or twice a week. This fertilizer has an equal proportion of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that helps in the plant's growth.
This fertilizer is the best because the nitrogen present in it activates the chlorophyll production that helps the plant to absorb sunlight and make food and transfer energy for its growth. Phosphorus in this fertilizer acts as a strengthening element that helps develop the roots, stem, and leaves of the plant.
Conclusion
This article is all about how you can grow your English Ivy plant easily as this plant does not require any difficult methods of growing it. By taking a little care, anyone can grow this plant. I hope that I have given you the most relevant information about the English Ivy plant and how you can grow and fertilize it easily.