Do I Need to Root Swedish Ivy Cuttings Before Planting them in Soil?

Propagating Swedish Ivy

• Stem or leaf cuttings of Swedish ivy root quickly to form new plants, and it may grow if inserted in the soil. Dip the ends in root hormone before placing them in the soil, and keep the soil evenly moist. For more reliable results, though, root Swedish ivy in a rooting medium prior to planting.

Method

• Snip a stem from healthy new growth, or even just a leaf with a stem. Dip the stem in rooting hormone, and insert it in a lightweight starting medium, such as a combination of coarse sand and perlite or vermiculite. Moisten the potting medium thoroughly. Cover the pot with a plastic bag and place it in a warm, sunny location. Moisten the soil as needed to prevent it from drying out. Remove the cutting in two to three weeks, and plant it outdoors or in pots after the cutting produces white roots.

Care

• After the Swedish ivy has produced roots, plant it outdoors in an area with filtered sun. Excessive sunlight will stunt growth or cause leaf burning. Place houseplants in a sunny location. Keep the soil evenly moist, and pinch the plant back frequently to encourage compact, bushy growth.

Uses

• Swedish ivy is winter-hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone 10 and Zone 11, where it grows outdoors as an evergreen plant. In colder regions, use Swedish ivy in container plantings or as an annual in flowerbeds. Bring it indoors in the winter, or take stem cuttings to use the following spring. Plant Swedish ivy outdoors only after the last expected frost.