Ivy is a plant that can be found in every garden. But it also grows very well indoors. However, it is not suitable as a houseplant for every household.
Ivy, probably the best-known and most popular climbing plant of all, does not only thrive very well outdoors. You can also keep it as a houseplant. For example, it brings a little color into play in shady and dark hallways. But you can also green potted plants with a bare trunk with it. All you have to do is choose the right location and follow a few care instructions.
Ivy grows very well in poorly lit locations
Many apartments and houses have a disadvantage. The corridor area is often dark and does not have its own window. Accordingly, no plants can be placed here. However, this is not the case with ivy. The climbing plant prefers shady locations that only reach the sun for a short time a day. For this reason, you can green dark rooms in your home with ivy. But keep in mind: ivy is a climbing plant that doesn't stop at the walls of the room.
If you don't want the ivy to climb the walls of your room, you can use trellis to let the climbing plant grow upwards. To do this, place the shoots further and further around the trellis so that a wide and thick spiral of green forms. Alternatively, you can also use a sisal trunk as a climbing aid.
No major maintenance measures necessary
» Cut:
It is important that you regularly cut back the plant indoors so that it does not become too large and extensive. You don't have to pay attention to anything. Just cut off as much as you like. The ivy will then sprout again.
» casting:
Ivy is really easy to care for as a houseplant. You just have to make sure that neither waterlogging forms nor the root ball dries out completely. Therefore, water the ivy regularly.
» Fertilize:
Fertilize the house ivy about every two weeks from April to August by adding some liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Ivy is only suitableconditionally as a houseplant
Ivy is not a poisonous plant with deadly effects, but it triggers significant skin irritations or even allergic reactions. When handling the plant, you should always wear gardening gloves. Younger ivy plants do not yet have the same toxic effects as older plants. Therefore, when greening rooms, choose young plants if possible and release them over time.
The climbing plant is not suitable for households with small children or pets, because ivy forms berries during flowering, which are poisonous. Toddlers may be tempted to eat the berries. Pets may gnaw the leaves or ingest the berries. But what poisons does ivy have and how do you recognize poisoning? Here is a brief overview:
- Ivy berries contain falcarinol and alpha-hederin
- two berries are dangerous for children
- Leaves and shoots cause skin irritation
- Poisoning symptoms: vomiting, diarrhoea, burning in the throat
- large amounts of berries can cause shock or respiratory arrest
If you suspect that your children or pets have eaten berries and there are obvious signs of poisoning, call the Poison Control Center immediately.
➜ List of Poison Control Centers and Poison Control Centers