Growing Swedish Ivy


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Growing Swedish Ivy

By Brenda Hyde
My mom gave me a Swedish Ivy years ago and it took me a long time to figure out what the name of it was, even though it was one of my favorite plants. I also had to go through much trial and error when I first started growing it. She didn't know why hers did so well, while mine look spindly and dull. At last I figured out it needed more light than I was giving it and a little extra care!

Plectranthus australis is a member of the mint family, and it's not an ivy, which is rather odd, since it's called Swedish Ivy. It's actually related to coleus. It needs direct, but filtered light, or indirect bright light.

One of the major things I learned in growing a nice plant, is to pinch it back on a regular basis so that it becomes nice and full. It also needs to be turned daily so that all sides receive equal sunlight. I hung mine on the porch in the warm weather where it really did well in the fresh air and sunlight. Be sure you give it good light and air circulation.

Swedish Ivy do tend to get woody as they get older and eventually need to be replaced. Take a nice section of cutting and root it in water, and you will have a young plant to start over with. They need to be kept evenly moist, but not too dry or wet. If they start looking spindly you need to move it to a sunnier spot, and keep pinching it back to help promote new growth. Again, the pinching is a crucial thing in keeping your Swedish Ivy looking nice.


About The Author

Brenda Hyde is a freelance writer living on ten acres in rural Michigan with her
husband and three kids. Stop by and visit her garden blog, Garden of Grace & Whimsy, and her photography blog, A Dance of Words & Photos.
 
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