Ivy Plants with Heart-Shaped Leaves – A Beautiful and Versatile Houseplant

A popular and attractive choice for houseplants is ivy with heart-shaped leaves. Ivy plants can add style and greenery to any room because of their unique leaves and climbing stems. This article will talk about some of the most popular types of ivy with heart-shaped leaves, how to take care of them, and how to use them to decorate your home.

What is Ivy?

Ivy refers to a large group of around 15-30 species of plants in the genus Hedera. They are native mostly to temperate regions of Europe western Asia, and northern Africa. Ivies are evergreen perennial vines or groundcovers that can climb by way of aerial rootlets that cling to surfaces.

English ivy, or Hedera helix, is the most common type of ivy grown indoors. There are a lot of different cultivars of this species, and their leaves have different sizes, shapes, and patterns. It is also possible to grow other types of ivy indoors, such as Algerian ivy (Hedera algeriensis) and Persian ivy (Hedera colchica).

Ivy Varieties with Heart-Shaped Leaves

Some of the most popular ivy varieties that feature heart-shaped leaves include:

• Hedera helix ‘My Heart’: This cultivar produces medium to large sized deep green leaves distinctly shaped like a heart. It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day displays.

• Hedera helix ‘Sweetheart’: A more petite variety, Hedera helix ‘Sweetheart’ has smaller, bright green heart-shaped leaves. It’s a good option for terrariums and small containers.

• Hedera algeriensis ‘Ravensholst’ is a type of ivy from Algeria. Its dark green, glossy, leathery leaves are shaped like hearts.

• As the name suggests, Hedera helix “Goldheart” ivy has leaves that are shaped like hearts and have yellow centers.

• Hedera canariensis ‘Variegata’: The Canary Island ivy has large, heart-shaped leaves edged in creamy white.

Caring for Ivy Plants Indoors

Ivy thrives in bright, indirect light indoors. Direct sun will scorch the leaves. Water ivy whenever the top inch of soil is dry and fertilize monthly during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

Ivy prefers average room temperatures between 65-85°F. Cooler temperatures can lead to leaf drop. In dry air, mist ivy frequently or place its pot on a pebble tray for added humidity.

Repot ivy when it becomes rootbound into a container one size larger using a peat-based potting mix. Prune back overlong stems to keep growth compact and full.

Using Ivy Plants with Heart-Shaped Leaves in the Home

Thanks to their vining growth habit, ivies can be used in hanging baskets, wall planters, on trellises, in terrariums, or simply trailing from a pot. The heart-shaped leaves provide unique visual interest and texture.

Ivy combinations to try:

• Group different ivy varieties together in a mixed planter for contrasting leaf shapes and colors.

• Plant ivy in a hanging basket lined with sphagnum moss. Let the vines trail down for a romantic look.

• Grow ivy in a wall planter or up a moss pole to create a living wall of greenery.

• Pair heart-leaf ivy with pink flowers like mini roses. This echoes a Victorian garden style.

• Use heart-shaped ivy along with other houseplants like pothos, philodendron, or peperomia. The different leaf shapes complement each other.

No matter which heart-leaf ivy you choose, they make lovely and easy-to-grow houseplants. Their vining nature allows them to be grown in many creative ways, adding a touch of nature to your living space. With the right care, ivy plants can remain an attractive feature in the home for many years to come.