We all know the ivy plant as a wonderful wall-climber, adding a rustic touch to stone and brick buildings. Best of all, they stick around all year long, beautifying homes, gardens, fences, and trees everywhere!
You might look at English ivy and think that they’re just simple plants, but there’s actually a lot more to them than just their evergreen qualities. In fact, these sticky friends have quite an interesting backstory, and an added bonus: they’re super easy houseplants to take care of! Here are some cool facts about our favorite wallflower, and you can grow them in your very own home.
Fun Facts About English Ivy
1. The English ivy is actually native to Europe and different parts of Asia. However, you can commonly find them decorating parts of North America with their beautiful foliage as well.
2. Speaking of beautiful foliage, these plants showcase thick, shiny leaves with 3 to 5 lobes that are typically colored medium to dark green. You’ll also find that they’re lined with green, yellow, or white veins.
3. We call these greens wall-climbers for a reason! English ivy is a climbing vine that develops lengthy stems that grow to be thick and strong. These crawlers can reach as high as 90 feet above the ground if they have good support.
4. English ivy have shape-shifting roots that secrete glue to help anchor the plant against a surface. Their magical roots also produce hair to fit into smaller cracks and crevices, which is why you’ll commonly find them wrapped around tree trunks or brick walls.
5. These evergreen friends actually have a lot of history to them! In ancient Greece, Hippocrates used ivy plants as remedies for intoxication and swelling. He even figured out a way to use them as an anesthetic!
6. Another history lesson: the ivy plant was actually sacred to the god Dionysus. He was often depicted wearing a crown of ivy.
7. Nowadays, herbalists use English ivy to treat asthma, bronchitis, inflammation, and arthritis. These vines are more helpful than you’d think!
English Ivy Care
You probably know by now just how beautiful an English ivy plant looks outdoors, but did you know that they make great houseplants as well? If you decide to welcome an English ivy plant into your home, then you’re in luck! Not only are they great for freshening up a room, they’re not difficult to care for. We want to make sure you’re in the know when it comes to keeping your newest ivy plant thriving and gracing your humble abode for years and years to come.
- Ivy plants can thrive with a moderate amount of light. However, keep them away from bright windows or anywhere that exposes them to direct sunlight! Sheer curtains are your best friend if you feel like your new potted friend is soaking in too much sun.
- Make sure the soil is well-drained to prevent overwatering! Ivies do fine with drier soil, so be sure to check its soil before giving it a bath.
- Mist the foliage regularly during drier periods of the year, like winter. These greens love humidity and cooler temperatures!
- Fertilize your English ivy once a month every season – except winter! The winter season is their hibernation period, so it’s best to leave them alone, minus the usual watering and misting.
- Ivy plants need trims too! Cut off a few inches of their stems every once in a while to promote healthy growth.
And that’s almost everything you need to know about English ivy! From interesting facts to a brief care guide, we’ve got your back in making sure you’re well-informed before inviting the newest addition to your plant family into your home.
At The Bouqs, we don’t just offer English ivy plants; our plant collection is packed with greens that are sure to bring more character to your living space. Read about our best indoor plants then adopt one of our many potted friends today!
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