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Indoor Ivy Topiary Care
Caring for ivy topiaries is not hard. If you follow these suggestions, they should remain lovely for years.
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Unlike most house plants that typically do well indoors, ivy topiaries have different survival requirements.
By far, the most important requirement is low air
temperature. Indoor ivies prefer cool temperatures,
ideally 55-65° F. In dry/warm places, ivies require high humidity (abundant moisture) in the air.
Indoor ivies are intolerant of dry, warm air. Heating and cooling systems contribute to dry air, having
much the same drying effect on plants as it does to our skin, hair and sinuses. Drafts from air conditioning and,
even more importantly, from heater vents in winter, are harmful.
Pay close attention to your ivy topiaries during
summer. We highly recommend treating them to a
monthly shower under the garden hose, in a shady protected spot, or in the shower. Rinse the leaves frequently to
keep the foliage free from dust, thereby discouraging spider mites (who thrive in dry, dusty conditions). In
winter, although the weather outside is cooler, we generally turn on our heaters indoors, making the
environment downright inhospitable for cool-loving ivies.
Because ivies prefer mild temperatures, giving them occasional short vacations outdoors in protected
places during both summer and winter can make the difference between healthy topiaries and struggling ones.
When watering, do so thoroughly by dunking the pot in a bucket of water up to the rim. When the
air bubbles have ceased, place your topiary where it can drain freely. Between waterings, mist the air around
the plants to increase humidity and to provide needed moisture to aerial roots that most varieties of ivy possess.
In summer, keeping moist sphagnum moss around the base of your plant will help increase humidity, as
will a humidity tray. Keep in mind that while it is important to keep the foliage rinsed and clean, it is
equally important not to saturate the soil for prolonged periods.
Ivy needs to dry out completely between waterings.
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Fertilize every other watering with half the strength of normal houseplant fertilizer.
To keep the shape of your topiary looking its best, pinch growing tips to encourage bushiness. Gently wind
the tendrils of ivy as they grow around the frame. When the form is filled out to your liking, clip to keep in shape.
Always remove any leaves or stems that are dead or dying.
If your past topiaries have been prone to spider mites, we suggest that in addition to the above precautions
you try Dexol Tenderleaf Systemic
Insecticide. Dexol is a granular formula that is applied to the soil and
watered in, enabling it to be absorbed by the roots, effectively killing insects as they feed on the plant. Dexol
should be applied once every two months.
Although we have had excellent results when using Dexol at Roger's Gardens, at the first sign of
infestation, nothing can substitute for good care, and nothing can cure the results of neglect.
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