Know All About The Swedish Ivy – Grow The Swedish Ivy Flowers

If you love plants that spread across surfaces and adorn the edges with a distinctive charm but are also very easy to maintain, then the Swedish ivy is just the right plant for you. The Swedish ivy plant is the favorite of most home growers as they decorate their balconies with hanging baskets flaunting Swedish ivy flowers and lush foliage. Read on to know all about the plant and how to grow it.

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About the Swedish ivy plant

One of the most popular houseplants, the Swedish ivy goes with the botanical name Plectranthus australis and this naming happened due to its location of origin which is Northern Australia. The plant has also been found to have natively resided in some areas of the Pacific Islands. The term S. Ivy was given to it primarily because of its initial popularization in Sweden.

A very unique characteristic of this plant is that some of its species release various types of distinctive fragrances when they are touched. Another thing to note is that this plant isn’t pure ivy either and it’s the member of the plant group called Labiatae that shares close relation with the Mint plant family. More interesting names of the plant include Creeping Charlie and Swedish Begonia due to its cascading nature.

Different species of the plant

Other than the common P.australis ivy plant which flaunts the bright green foliage, many other cultivars and species are popular among the gardening enthusiast. Some of the important ones are:

Variegata cultivar- leaf edges with white marking
P. argentatus- silvery and bright leaves
P. amboinicus- oregano foliage with a similar smell and flavor

Physical characteristics of the S. Ivy plant

This plant has a distinctive morphology that makes it different from the other garden plants and some major ones are:

The plant matures into forming deep bushes and continues to creep across the surface on which they are growing. It usually forms vines and continues to stretch faster in good growing conditions.
The foliage of this plant is the most eye-catching part which grows dramatically beautiful. The leaves are of vibrant green color and round in shape with deep veins and scalloped corners. You will find the texture of these leaves alike to leather.
The stems of the plant are thicker and they generally grow square. They grow towards the upward direction and then start trailing over the edges of the area where they are growing.
There is nothing special about the Swedish ivy flowers as the leaves are the main show stealers. The flowers that grow are mostly white or light lavender and mostly bloom during the warmer seasons like spring and summer.
The average lifespan of this plant is mostly up to five years.

Growing the plant of Swedish ivy

The primary reason why this ivy plant is very popular among the households is the lush and shiny foliage that the plant flaunts and the way it adds a new charm to space where it blooms. When it comes to growing this plant, the best thing is that the process is so easy that even a beginner can go about it without any major effort or gardening knowledge. Without any further ado, let’s get straight to detailing out the whole method of growing this plant.

Basic requirements of the plant

There are certain basic needs of every plant according to their natural growth habitat and pattern. Similarly, the S. Ivy plant also needs certain conditions to be fulfilled for giving good growth.

The best location for growing Swedish ivy plant is indoors with the normal room temperature and humid conditions. These plants look best in the baskets from which they can hang downwards so that the foliage can add a dramatic look. Balconies, edges, trails, and ground are also good options for growing these plants as they add a dense cover to these spaces.
This plant needs an ample amount of sunlight but make sure that the heat is moderate and doesn’t reach directly to the plants as the leaves may get burnt.
The normal room condition with temperature ranging between 60-75 degrees F is good enough for the plant to thrive. This tropical plant must be saved from exposure to colder conditions at every cost.
Soil mixes are usually good for this plant and the key element is peat moss which should be present in the mix. However, any decent potting mix similar to the loamy soil would also do. Perlite can also be added to the soil for better drainage.
Constant moisture is a must need for the plant to grow.

Method of propagating the plant

The easiest and most recommended method of starting the Swedish ivy is through stem cuttings that can be easily procured from any adult Ivy plant. Cut out a section of any healthy stem with some leaves growing at the end from a mature ivy plant. Remove the leaves from the bottom end to make it bare and then dip that part into a rooting solution.

Now insert that cutting into a pot or container that has been filled with the soil mix. You can also make the pot better at drainage by putting some pebbles over the holes and then filling it with soil.

Go ahead with placing the pot in an area that receives bright but indirect sunlight. Don’t forget to mist spray the soil immediately and then keep doing so for the time being till the roots form. It will take around 3 weeks and once small plants are formed, take them out individually and re-pot them.

Caring for the Swedish ivy plant

After the plant starts growing and until it begins blooming fully, you will need to give it some care which is going to require only the least of efforts.

Water the plant adequately during its growth phase and the warmer seasons. Lower down the watering during the cooler times. The right time to water the plant is when the soil feels dry upon touching but make sure to not end up making the soil soggy.
The S. ivy plant doesn’t require heavy feeding and does well with smart fertilizing only. Any moderate nitrogenous fertilizer is good for this plant and should be applied every two weeks in the growth phase and warm seasons. Stop fertilizing during fall and after the growth period, reduce the strength of the fertilizer, and apply it only once a month.
Pruning this plant is very important as it branches vigorously enough and regular trimming can help to keep the plant in shape. The right way of pruning this plant is pinching or cutting off the stem tips once the Swedish ivy flowers die as this promotes a healthier branching of the stems that leads to plusher foliage. Also, you can choose to cut the stems almost halfway down and the plant won’t mind since it has a very robust root and stem system.
Repot the plant after two-three years for continued growth.

Conclusion

We hope that the article helped you to understand the right method of growing Swedish ivy and convince you enough towards making minimal efforts towards growing this plant. We assure you that you will love the artistry they will add to your home space and you will surely want more of them.

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