Get tips for growing English ivy. Care is easy — and its a beautiful houseplant with lush, trailing vines. Find out how to water, prune and grow ivy indoors.
With lobed leaves and lush, trailing vines, English Ivy is an elegant accent plant. Small-leafed ivies blend beautifully in a dish garden, adding texture to a variety of tropical plants.
Although commonly grown as a hanging plant indoors, its aerial roots can easily be trained to climb a moss stick or trellis. Or if youre feeling really adventurous, train ivy on a topiary.
English ivy is a vigorous grower when it gets the light and moisture it wants. Youll want to repot in spring every couple years to give it a slightly larger pot to grow in to and to freshen the soil. Dont jump from a small container to a much larger one (no matter how beautiful it is) because it will hold too much water, which can lead to root rot.
English Ivy ‘Goldchild’ is a popular houseplant known for its beautiful golden variegated leaves. With the right care these trailing vines can thrive indoors and add a pop of color to any space. This article will cover everything you need to know about caring for English Ivy ‘Goldchild’ plants indoors, from water and light needs to troubleshooting common issues.
Light Requirements
When grown indoors, English Ivy ‘Goldchild’ performs well in both bright and indirect sunlight. Place this plant near an east, west, or south facing window where it will receive plenty of bright, indirect light. North facing windows generally don’t provide enough light.
These plants can tolerate some direct morning sun, but avoid hot afternoon sun which can scorch the leaves. If you don’t have a good window location, English Ivy ‘Goldchild’ can thrive under fluorescent or LED grow lights. Rotate the plant periodically to ensure even growth on all sides.
Watering Frequency
English Ivy ‘Goldchild’ prefers evenly moist soil but does not tolerate soggy, waterlogged soil. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. The frequency will depend on factors like pot size, temperature, and humidity. Generally water about once a week, allowing the soil to partly dry out between waterings.
The leaves will start to droop when underwatered Overwatering can lead to root rot, Pour out excess water that collects in the saucer so the plant isn’t left sitting in water
Ideal Potting Mix
Use a well-draining potting mix for English Ivy ‘Goldchild’. A quality potting soil amended with perlite, vermiculite, coconut coir, or bark will provide the fast drainage these plants need. You can also mix in compost or worm castings to enrich the soil. Avoid regular garden soil which stays too wet.
Re-pot every 2-3 years in spring, moving up just 1-2 inches larger than the current pot. A too large pot can hold excess moisture and lead to root rot.
Humidity
Average room humidity is fine for English Ivy ‘Goldchild’. They don’t require the very high humidity levels of tropical plants. Just avoid situating these plants near heating vents which can dry out the air. You can boost humidity by placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water. Misting the leaves occasionally also helps increase humidity.
Fertilizer
Feed English Ivy ‘Goldchild’ monthly during spring and summer using a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength Reduce to every 6-8 weeks in fall and winter when growth naturally slows If your potting mix contains slow release fertilizer, you can wait 2-3 months before beginning fertilizing.
Never fertilize a stressed, sick, or newly repotted plant. Also avoid fertilizing in winter when plants are dormant.
Pruning
Pinch or trim back long, leggy stems to encourage English Ivy ‘Goldchild’ to grow bushier and fuller. Pruning regularly will help maintain its desired compact shape. These vigorous vines can also be trimmed back anytime to keep them contained.
Remove any leaves or stems that are damaged, diseased or infested with pests. Sterilize pruners between each cut with isopropyl alcohol to prevent disease transmission.
Propagation
English Ivy ‘Goldchild’ is easily propagated from stem cuttings. Take 4-6 inch cuttings in spring or summer. Remove the bottom leaves and dip the end in rooting hormone. Plant in moist potting mix and cover with a plastic bag to retain humidity.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. New roots and growth should emerge in 2-3 weeks. Once established, transition to normal care. Propagating from cuttings is faster than growing from seed and ensures new plants are identical to the parent.
Common Problems
Yellow leaves – This is usually a sign of overwatering or soggy soil. Allow the soil to dry out before watering again. Remove any rotted roots and repot with fresh mix if needed.
Drooping leaves – Can indicate underwatering, low humidity, or too much sun. Feel the soil and water if dry. Move to a shadier spot or increase humidity if needed.
Sparse foliage – Improve light exposure and prune back any leggy stems to encourage bushier new growth. Fertilize monthly.
Pests – Watch for aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and scale. Remove with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Isolate any heavily infested plants.
Browning leaf tips/edges – This can result from irregular watering, low humidity, over-fertilization, or buildup of salts in the soil. Improve watering consistency, humidity, and flush the soil.
Pet and Child Safety
English Ivy ‘Goldchild’ is toxic if ingested and the sap can irritate skin. Keep plants out of reach of children and pets. Wash hands after handling. Other types of ivy are also toxic. Supervise kids and pets around these plants.
Displaying English Ivy ‘Goldchild’
The gorgeous variegated leaves of English Ivy ‘Goldchild’ look beautiful left to trail down from bookshelves, mantels, cabinets, and hanging baskets. These versatile vining plants can also be grown up trellises, moss poles, and along walls to add greenery and color. Situate them in an area where the long trailing stems can grow freely.
English Ivy ‘Goldchild’ is ideal for decorative planters and mixed plantings. Combine with other houseplants like pothos, philodendron, and ferns. Try incorporating these bright golden leaves into your fall or holiday decor for a pop of cheerful color.
With the proper care, English Ivy ‘Goldchild’ makes a charming addition indoors. Just be sure to give these plants bright, indirect light and avoid overwatering for the best results!
Varieties of English Ivy
There are hundreds of types of ivy varieties — some with plain green leaves, others are variegated with yellow, gold or creamy white. Many named cultivars are available to choose from.
As their names suggest, Itsy Bitsy is a small variety. Curlilocks has wavy leaves. Among those with variegated leaves are Gold Child (one of my favorites) splashed with yellow-gold, white and shades of gray. Glacier ivy has silvery gray-green leaves edged in creamy white.
Common English Ivy Problems, Answers and Solutions
Dry, crispy leaves? Cool, moist air and evenly moist soil will help your English Ivy thrive indoors. Protect it from drafts and heating vents. Mist the plant often to keep its leaves from drying out. Misting also helps to keep away spider mites that love to attack this plant.
Prune it back, if you want to keep your ivy plant to a desired length. Light pruning can be done any time of year.
Wilted leaves? Dry soil or consistently soggy soil will each cause leaves to wilt. Over-watering is usually the problem and leads to root rot. Its best to use a container with drainage holes, water thoroughly then empty the drainage tray. Water less often in the winter months when growth is slower.
Faded foliage? Growing ivy with plenty of bright light will help variegated ivies to keep their color. Prune off any stems of variegated ivy that reverts to all green.
Is it poisonous? Yes. English ivy leaves are poisonous if eaten and can cause skin irritation. Its a good idea to wear gloves while handling this plant, and to keep it away from children, cats and dogs.
BEST TIPS | HOW TO CARE FOR ENGLISH IVY | HEDERA HELIX PLANT CARE GUIDE
FAQ
How to care for gold baby ivy indoors?
Watering- Water the plant when the top 2 inches layer of the soil dries. Try to keep the soil little moist all the time. Sunlight- Provide the plant with 5–8 hours of indirect sunlight everyday. On the whole, ivy is very forgiving. It’d be easy to care it.
Is gold child ivy indoor or outdoor?
Hedera Ivy is also known as English Ivy. The Gold Child variety has beautiful green leaves with golden or cream colored edges. As an indoor plant it is great for hanging baskets or put up on a trellis. Be cautious of planting it outdoors as it is a very aggressive grower.
How to keep ivy alive indoors?
Ivies prefer moderate humidity but are highly tolerant of dry indoor air. Use a pebble tray under the plant to provide it with a little extra moisture.Oct 12, 2023
Is ivy a good indoor plant for indoors?
Although particularly popular as a festive houseplant, ivy is not just for Christmas – it is long lived and a valuable addition to indoor greenery.