Ivy Geranium

Watering your Ivy geranium moderately is important to keep it healthy, optimal watering involves waiting until the top 2cm of soil is dry before providing water. Provide these plants with a good drink of water every 7-10 days during the spring and summer. In cooler months, they may need less frequent watering. Water at the base of the plant, rather than fromabove, so as to avoid wetting the leaves and flowers as much as possible.

Ivy geranium prefers bright light to full sunlight and can tolerate partial shade, but too much shade may cause the plant to become weak and lanky. When grown indoors, it should be kept in a sunny spot near a window to keep healthy and growing. They can survive in winter in colder areas as an evergreen subshrub if placed in a warmer spot, such as near the lower windows or under a semi-transparent greenhouse covering.

To keep your Ivy geranium growing fast and strong, it is best to maintain temperatures between 45-77 F (7-25 C) for optimal growth. The plant can survive temperatures as low as 25-37 F (-4 to 3 C), but temperatures lower than this can cause damage to the foliage and flowers.

When kept in utdoor environments, Ivy Geranium prefers humid air; however, in an indoor environment, regular ambient humidity levels are generally considered sufficient for this plant. If the air in the room is too dry, your Ivy Geranium may require occasional misting with water from a spray bottle to keep it healthy and growing.

Ivy geranium prefers a loose, sandy, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. To achieve this, add equal parts of sand, organic matter (such as mulch or peat moss), and garden soil to a potting mix to provide the best environment for the plant.

Ivy Geraniums should be fertilized about once a month during the spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer. A 10-10-10 fertilizer should be enough to provide adequate nutrition. During winter, you can reduce fertilizing to once every other month.

Ivy geraniums are generally not affected by many pests or diseases, but they can sometimes be affected by aphids, spider mites or whiteflies. The best way to get rid of these pests is to spray the plant with a strong stream of water to dislodge them from beneath the leaves and stems. Alternatively, you can use an insecticidal spray to get rid of them. Additionally, to avoid pest outbreaks, keep the plant healthy by making sure it has sufficient water, light, and temperature.

Ivy Geranium may need to be repotted every few years. It is best to repot your plant in spring when it is just beginning to grow and show signs of vigor. When repotting, make sure to use a loose, well-draining soil and larger pot to prevent the plant from becoming root bound and unable to take in sufficient water. Additionally, remove any dead or dying plant material from the roots and stems.

Pruning your Ivy geranium occasionally is recommended to keep it looking its best and avoid it from becoming leggy and unmanageable. Pinch off dead or dying flowers and leaves from the stemmed periodically. Pruning may also be necessary at the end of the growing season to encourage new growth in the following year.

Ivy geraniums benefit from mulching around the perimeter of the pot or planting bed. Use an organic mulch such as bark chips, wood chips, or compost. This will help retain moisture, regulate temperatures and suppress weed growth.

Ivy Geranium can be propagated through seed and stem cuttings. When propagating through seed, make sure to sow the seeds in a sterile, well-draining potting mix. Stem cuttings can be taken from new growth and should be rooted in a loose, well-draining soil mix with bottom heat. Keep the soil moist and roots should form in 6-8 weeks.

Ivy geraniums prefer to be supported by a trellis or stake to keep them upright. Support with a stake or metal cage. This will support the vines in a more upright preferably so that the delightful flowers can be better seen.

Ivy geraniums need to have a rest period in late summer or early autumn when temperatures and light levels are consistently low. This could include reducing watering, hardly any fertilizing and moving the plant away from sources of direct light. This rest period will help to encourage healthy new growth in the following season.

No, Ivy geranium is not toxic to pets, so it can be kept safely around cats and dogs.