English ivy is a versatile plant used in container gardens and as ground cover. The family of plants contains different cultivars for different uses. Gardeners commonly use English ivy as a hanging plant due to the trailing growth habit of this vine. English ivy performs well as an outdoor plant in a hanging basket alone or coupled with flowering plants.
English Ivy Basics
English ivy serves as an excellent plant for a hanging basket for use indoors and outdoors. An English ivy hanging basket contains plugs of the ivy plant that exclusively fill the hanging container. This vine also grows readily on frames to produce inviting shapes for houseplants. The English ivy family contains hundreds of cultivars that provide different leaf sizes and coloration. Ivy prefers indirect bright light, moderate soil moisture, and plenty of organic nutrients in the soil.
English ivy produces a heart shaped leaf in a variety of sizes depending on the cultivar. This plant grows as a vine that produces trailing roots attached beneath each leaf cluster. Popular varieties include a medium green leaf with white edging. Leaf size ranges from an extremely petite half-inch foliage of the needlepoint English ivy cultivar to the large curly locks variety that produces a 3 or more inch wide leaf with wavy edges. Algerian ivy is prized for its rapid growth to fill out a hanging basket quickly. All varieties produce a foliage-rich hanging basket with texture from the variegation of leaf color.
Hanging Basket Uses
Ivy produces a pleasing appearance in a hanging basket. For a full basket, growers recommend planting ivy rootings about 3 inches apart for full foliage. English ivy will fill in the space quickly and attach to plant hangers. This foliage plant also looks beautiful when paired with blooming shade annuals. Mixed containers allow the gardener the benefit of flowers and ivy foliage for outdoor decorative purposes.
English ivy is considered an invasive species in many states. The smallest cutting roots and produces vines that can take over the landscape. Prune hanging plants regularly to control growth. Dispose of clippings in the trash to limit spreading of the plant. English ivy can overwhelm a hanging basket quickly and requires regular maintenance pruning.
English ivy is quite toxic to animals as a houseplant or landscape plant. Avoid placement where animals might come in contact with the plant. English ivy plants suffer from the reality that many insects and garden pests like to snack on these plants. Clean soil and good watering practices help limit exposure to insects. Allow the plant to dry out to a 1/2-inch depth before watering.