Just like its name, ivy plants are beautiful, vigorous vines we see all around us. Right from their colorful foliage, unique leaf shape to their bright attractive highlights, they blend to create a symphony of colors and mesmerizing scenery.
These attributes, alongside their compact growth habit and small leaf sizes, have made them very suitable for almost every environment.
Be it outdoor gardens, parks, schools, office surroundings, as well as indoor gardens, and more.
Ivy plants are aggressive, occasionally invasive, climbing plants that have been bred over the years for aesthetic and other purposes.
They are hardy plants that can relatively tolerate climatic conditions such as full exposure to sunlight, partial exposure, including no light exposure, plus they have the characteristics of dryness when watered which makes them relatively tolerant to drought.
Ivies come in varied types, shapes, and colors, each having its general and distinct features but we’ll be looking at the 7 most desirable types suitable for indoor and outdoor purposes.
So, if you’re in search of that perfect plant that’ll give your environment that artistic transformation, you’re in the right place.
1. English Ivy
English ivy (Hedera helix) can be given direct exposure to sunlight or complete shading. It makes use of the standard potting soil which is between 6.0 to 7.8 pH. its foliage color can be blue/green, chartreuse/gold, and gray/silver with a height 0f 3 to 8 feet.
This plant type is very suitable for both indoors and outdoors settings mostly due to its easy care nature, attractive leaf shape, and colors, and tight leaf spacing which works incredibly well as a potted plant.
Though this plant has been known to be highly invasive and can grow up to 100 feet if left unchecked, people still use them in their gardens.
How to take care of English ivy?
When growing English ivy as an indoor plant, make sure it gets ample bright light. This means that it should probably be situated close to the window area. In between watering, allow complete drying out of the soil, then, now and then, sprinkle the leaves with water for dust removal.
2. Glacier ivy (Hedera helix)
This species is best suited for indoors, but it can also be used for outdoor ground covers. It requires a bright or indirect sun exposure and thrives in well-drained soil with a pH of 6.1 to 6.5.
Glacier ivy can be used as a backdrop for bright flowers and plants. It can also be used for putting up high shelves and baskets.
How to take care of Glacier ivy?
Though this plant can tolerate full shade, it should be allowed to get at least 6 hours of sunlight exposure each day. It should be allowed to dry out in between watering, this can be possible when using potting soil that drains properly.
Good measures must be taken to keep cats and dogs far from this plant due to its toxic nature to pets. Once this major care is taken, your plant is good to go.
3. Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata)
The Boston ivies are beautiful climbing plants known for their seasonal color changes, from deep green to yellow, then to orange, red, ending at a deep maroon in autumn, unlike most types of Ivies that retain their lush color throughout the year.
Its color changes have made it a valued ornamental plant for parks and other public spaces.
Boston Ivy thrives in both direct and indirect sunlight exposure, a well-drained potting soil with 5.0 to 8.0soil pH.
How to take care of Boston ivy?
It is best grown in full sunlight exposure. Boston ivy possesses aggressive vine which is to be pruned during winter, taking good measures during pruning to avoid pulling the vines from the walls.
4. Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus australis)
The Swedish ivy, also known as creeping charlie and Swedish begonia is closely related to the English ivy, however, this trailing vine originated from Australia and Africa. The various subtypes of this Swedish ivy possess green leaves with white margin highlights.
This plant can grow comfortably in both bright and indirect sun exposure with a well-draining soil type of pH 4.0 to 7.0.
How to care for Swedish Ivy?
It is best kept in bright, indirect sunlight, away from the harsh sun. there should be proper drainage of the soil before watering. Fertilization must be at its minimum to prevent the plant from outgrowing the pot rapidly.
New plants can be grown by simply trimming the tip cuttings and rooting them.
5. Needlepoint Ivy (Hedera helix)
Needlepoint ivy got its name from the shape of its needle-like leaves. The uniqueness of its leaves has given this species a pleasant, refreshing, angular texture that makes it stand out amongst other plants.
It can be used to make an attractive trailing or for hanging baskets. These beautiful, hardy plants are drought tolerant and can be planted as ground cover for outdoor settings, as well as climbing vines for walls, fences, and/or trellis.
How to care for Needlepoint ivy?
Needs bright, indirect sunlight or full shading, a well-draining soil type with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5.
6. Algerian ivy (Hedera canariensis)?
Best grown in bright direct light with a well-draining soil type of soil pH 6.5. The Algerian ivy is native to North Africa and Canary island. This plant is very suitable for outdoor planting in warm climates.
Its foliage is mostly solid green, apart from few exceptions such as the Gloire de Marengo, which possess dark, pale, and green splotched leaves, surrounded by white borders.
How to care for Algerian ivy?
This plant must be kept in evenly moistured, well-drained soil. Without the support of the trellis, this plant can climb easily on walls, the best practice is to prune regularly to contain growth.
7. Irish ivy (Hedera hibernica)
The best soil type for this plant is a well-drained potting mix with a pH of 6.5. The Irish ivy is exposed to direct sunlight or full shade.
This is an aggressive, invasive plant best suited for outdoor gardening. It has a striking resemblance to the English ivy in its features, the difference though is the larger leaves of the Irish ivy with light green veins, in contrast to the English ivy with white veins.
The most widely spread ivies we see growing outdoors on walls and buildings are the Irish ivy and not the English ivy-like most people thought.
How to care for Irish ivy?
Due to its aggressive and invasive nature, it should be planted outdoors and pruned regularly.
