Quck answer
German Ivy is a popular houseplant that can also be grown outdoors. To grow German Ivy, follow these steps:
1. Choose a location: German Ivy thrives in partial shade to full sun. Select a spot with well-draining soil.
2. Prepare the soil: Add compost or organic matter to improve the soil’s fertility and drainage.
3. Planting: Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball and place the plant in. Backfill with soil and gently firm it around the base.
4. Watering: Water thoroughly after planting and keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
5. Fertilizing: Feed with a balanced fertilizer every month during the growing season.
6. Pruning: Trim back leggy or overgrown stems to maintain a compact shape.
7. Pests and diseases: Watch out for aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. Treat with organic insecticides if necessary.
By following these steps, you can successfully grow German Ivy and enjoy its lush green foliage.
German ivy, also known as Cape ivy (Delairea odorata, previously Senecio mikanioides), is not a real ivy and does not originate from Germany. Instead, it comes from South Africa and imitates the ivies in the Hedera genus with its lobed leaves and vining growth pattern. German ivy is not demanding when it comes to growing conditions. In fact, its adaptability and aggressive growth make it an invasive species.
Warning
This plant is classified as a harmful weed, which poses a threat to the diverse ecosystem of many regions. Do not cultivate this plant in your garden, but rather keep it indoors as a houseplant.
Caution: Only Grow Indoors
When grown outside its natural habitat in South Africa, German ivy spreads rapidly and becomes an invasive species. Its dense growth habit has caused significant problems along the West Coast, where it smothers native plants with its thick foliage. Herbivores do not eat it due to its high alkaloid content, and it easily regrows from root fragments left in the soil after manual removal.
Considering this, it is recommended to only grow German ivy indoors to prevent its spread in your yard and garden. When confined to a pot, it is an excellent trailing plant that can be paired with houseplants that have an upright growth habit and “bare knees.”
Propagating German Ivy
With only a small percentage of viable seeds found in German ivy, the most effective way to grow this plant is through cuttings. Luckily, German ivy readily develops roots and does not require a rooting hormone. For best results, take cuttings from young green stems rather than woody stems. Woody stems have a propagation success rate of about 50 percent, so take multiple cuttings if only woody stems are available.
Trim the cuttings down to 2 inches with one leaf on the stem. Plant the cutting directly in moist potting soil. You can place the cutting in the same pot as a mature annual houseplant, but it might suffocate a young seedling or inhibit its root growth. If you don’t have a pot ready, the cutting will grow roots if kept in about an inch of fresh water.
Caring for German Ivy
German ivy can thrive in various conditions, from full sun to partial shade. It can even thrive with moderate indoor lighting. It is not fussy about soil pH or quality, although it will exhibit the most vigorous growth and vibrant color if grown in nutrient-rich potting soil and provided with liquid fertilizer on a monthly basis. Consistently moist soil is also considered ideal for German ivy, but the plant can tolerate the top layer of soil drying out between waterings.
Frost will cause German ivy to die back, but this should not be an issue if you are growing it as a houseplant. Aphids and mealybugs may feed on this plant, but they can be controlled by dipping the vines in soapy water, rinsing them with a strong spray from a garden hose, or applying neem oil to the plant.
Prune German ivy vines as necessary to prevent them from becoming unruly or smothering other plants. Consider removing the flower buds, as German ivy blossoms emit a strong, unpleasant odor.
