Many flower lovers know Swedish ivy, in fact, it also has a very nice Chinese official name: Ruyi Man. It is an evergreen plant that is particularly friendly to novices and indoor environments and grows well whether it is by desks, shelves or windowsills.
Swedish ivy likes bright scattered light, with more than 3~6 hours of soft light a day, it can grow well, such as raising on east-facing windowsills, north-facing balconies and other locations.
Swedish ivy is not poisonous, even if there are naughty children and pets at home, it is no problem to raise this plant, it can grow creepingly, can also grow in a hanging pot, its stems and leaves grow particularly lush, can be constantly pruned, promote more lush, raise well can also properly purify the air.
1. Origin of the name
The reason why Swedish ivy has this name is not because it is native to Sweden, but during World War II, a Swedish botanist brought it from South Africa to Sweden and became popular there, so he named it "Swedish ivy", which has nothing to do with ivy, but is a little distant relative to mint (Lamiaceaceae).
After Swedish ivy grows into indoor potted plants, if the winter is warm, it can start to bloom in winter, generally from late spring to summer and autumn, you can occasionally bloom overlapping pink flowers, its flower form is similar to the flowers of coriander tea. Its leaves are rounded and juicy, and the leaves are more fan-like overall.
2. Temperature
To maintain Swedish ivy, be sure to avoid freezing, and it is best to keep the minimum temperature above 4 degrees in winter, especially after growing potted plants. Its optimal growth temperature is 18~28 degrees, and the temperature below 15 degrees begins to stop growing.
3. Lighting
To maintain Swedish ivy, avoid excessive light, it does not like strong direct light, likes soft flash light too strong, will cause the leaves to roll up the leaves will be burned.
Swedish ivy is more shade-tolerant, but if it is kept in a shady place for a long time, its stems and leaves will grow particularly delicate, and the state will become worse and worse, it is recommended to provide more than 3 hours of scattered light every day, and you can bask slightly more in the sun when the temperature is relatively low in winter.
4. Watering and humidity
Care of Swedish ivy should pay attention to frequent watering, it is very good for moisture, but pay attention to avoid the soil continuous moisture, to let the soil dry and wet cycle, in the warm weather, the potting soil dries quickly, you can keep the potting soil slightly moist.
If it is Swedish ivy for indoor potting maintenance, keep the potting soil dry and watered. Check the dryness of the soil before each watering, especially in winter, when the temperature is relatively low, it is necessary to control the water.
Most people do not raise Swedish ivy well, usually due to excessive watering, which causes the soil to remain moist, causing root rot.
Swedish ivy also prefers higher air humidity, if the relative humidity is maintained above 55% for a long time, and there is a ventilated environment, it will grow better. If the air is too dry, you can put a humidifier next to it, but avoid moisture on the leaves all the time.
5. Soil
Swedish ivy prefers well-drained soil and can be cultivated with indoor universal nutrient soil. Swedish ivy maintained in pots is not recommended for cultivation with garden soil or yellow clay.
If Swedish ivy is cultivated into a houseplant, the most common soil preparation method is to use peat soil with perlite, and properly mix some pine phosphorus, coarse coconut shell or coarse sand, etc., which is about 5:3:2.
Swedish ivy prefers slightly acidic loose and breathable soils, such as the common fine coir, coarse coir and perlite, mixed in a ratio of 5:3:2.
6. Fertilizer
Swedish ivy has very little demand for fertilizer, and after growing it into indoor potted plants, it generally only needs to be sprinkled with slow-release fertilizer (controlled-release fertilizer) in the potting soil once a year or every six months to meet its growth needs throughout the year.
If the environment for the maintenance of Swedish ivy is particularly good, there is more sufficient scattered light every day, the environment is warm, in spring, summer and autumn, you can supplement it with flower-promoting fertilizer and universal fertilizer (alternating spraying) every two or three weeks, preferably alternately spraying. In spring and summer, regular supplementation of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate) may promote flowering.
7. Reproduction
Swedish ivy is particularly easy to propagate, can be propagated by cuttings, can be hydroponic or soil cultivation cuttings (each stem length of about 9~12 cm), the bottom of the stem about two or three cm soaked in water, to avoid the leaves soaked in water.
Raised in a place with scattered light, change the water every 2~4 days, and when the root system grows, it can be cut into the potting soil, so that the cuttings propagation, the success rate is extremely high, as long as the temperature is maintained at 18~30 degrees, you can operate like this.
8. Other notes
Raising Swedish ivy is rarely infected with pests and diseases, usually due to excessive watering, poor soil drainage, resulting in rotting of the rhizome.
Above is the flower-leaved Swedish ivy
Swedish ivy is rarely infected with pests, and if it blooms regularly, it may provoke mealybugs, pay attention to regular checks. If the indoor environment is too dry and the ventilation is too poor, there is a possibility of infection with red spiders, pay attention to increase air humidity and increase ventilation.