Indoors vs. Outdoors: An Old Debate
Before asking how to care for Algerian ivy indoors, you might want to know the debate surrounding this topic. Algerian ivy can thrive in both living arrangements.
However, you will likely see them grow better outdoors. There is a reason why it happens.
Algerian ivy needs plenty of suns to thrive. It is because the plant experiences intense exposure to the sun in its natural habitat.
However, planting the ivy indoors is still possible. Compared to other ivies, it has a higher tolerance to shade. The Algerian ivy is a pretty agile plant in terms of growth.
When it does not receive enough sunlight, the vines will chase areas where the sunlight is plentiful.
The Soil Needed by Algerian Ivy
To grow Algerian ivy indoors, you need a good medium. The ivy thrives when being grown in neutral to slightly acidic soil. It is a hardy plant that can grow in soil with a good drainage system.
However, the best kind of soil for the Algerian ivy is the slightly moist one.
To improve the nutrients in the soil, you are recommended to add organic compost during the planting process.
The compost must be mixed thoroughly with the soil and turned over multiple times for maximum aeration. This growing situation allows the ivy to thrive better.
How to Care for Algerian Ivy Indoors?
When taking care of the Algerian ivy, you must understand that many facets contribute to its growth. The first facet is the water supply.
Although it can tolerate drought, people find that to achieve the best color leaves. You need to ensure that the soil is moist. You may have to water the plant when it is hot and dry.
The second facet is temperature. Because the ivy is native to a hot climate, you might worry about planting it in a cold area. This plant can still grow well despite low temperatures.
But in extreme cold, you should move the plant to a secluded place to avoid freezing.
The third facet is pest control. This ivy can also contract plant disease. It is recommended to use natural remedies for such issues. The plant does not handle harsh chemicals like pesticides well.
It Starts with the Seedling
Learning how to care for Algerian ivy indoors is not enough, though. You need to start the planting process correctly so the Algerian ivy can grow to your expectation.
You can always start with the vines. But if you want the full gardening experience, starting with the seedling might give you the thrill.
Here are the steps to plant the seedling of Algerian ivy:
- For one or two months, perform cold stratification by putting the seeds inside a cold container (the fridge).
- Soak the cold seeds in room temperature water for a night, and this process kick-starts the germination.
- Plant the ivy seeds inside a pot just by pressing the seeds lightly onto the soil.
- Spray the ivy seeds and wait until the germination starts (a new leaf starts to grow on the top).
Pruning the Algerian Ivy for Maximum Control
Planting the ivy indoors means having complete control of the plant. As ivy is a semi-woody plant, you are expected to perform regular pruning.
You can perform leaf pruning to remove dead leaves with pruning shears. You can do it as the plant grows, but it is commonly done at the end of winter. Doing this will prevent other areas from experiencing the same thing.
You can also prune the vines during the winter season. Doing this will control the area of damage due to the cold season.
When the vine grows wildly in the spring, you want to prune the vines to control its growth in the direction you want. This is done by also controlling the light supply to its growing spot.
Taking Care of Algerian Ivy for Harsh Winter
How do you care for Algerian ivy indoors and prepare it for winter? It is not a kind of plant that naturally lives in a cold climate, but its hardiness allows the ivy to adapt well to such conditions.
Nonetheless, you still need to overwinter the Algerian ivy.
Here are the things that you can do to make sure it survives the cold:
- Place the Algerian ivy next to a wall (preferably a brick or stone wall because it radiates warmth).
- Put the pot containing Algerian ivy under the sunlight to increase its temperature.
- Avoid adding water purposely or accidentally to prevent built-up moisture that can cause root rotting.
- Add some organic mulch on top of the soil to maintain the temperature.
- Move the ivy to a bigger pot to stabilize the temperature.