How to Grow Ivy Plants Faster With UVA & UVB Lights

Ivy plants grow in a wide array of cultivars, with different color leaves and sizes, but always feature long creeping or climbing vines. These plants thrive in outdoor gardens as climbers and ground covers, and do well as houseplants with the right care. They thrive in sunny to shady conditions, and always need some light and nutrition to grow. If you're growing ivy under relatively cool UVA and UVB lights, which emit long-range light waves but little heat, supplement with fluorescent lights and rich soil for better growth.

Pots
Organic compost
Garden loam
Lamps
Cool white bulbs
Warm white bulbs
Fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Repot the ivy in a pot one size larger than its current pot to encourage better growth. Use heavy pots with drainage holes to ensure drainage and balance the heavy ivy vines. Pot the ivy in organic compost or a mix of compost and garden loam for best drainage and fertility. Richer soil encourages better foliage growth.
- 2
  Supplement the UVA and UVB lights with standard lamps and lighting for a better range of light waves and more warmth. Ivy does best with temperatures of 60 degrees F and over, as warmth and humidity leads to plant growth. Use warm white and cool white light bulbs to encourage both vegetative growth and blooming.
- 3
  Leave all the lights on for 12 to 14 hours every day in the growing area, with 20 to 40 watts of light per every square foot in the ivy's immediate vicinity. Don't leave the lights on longer than this as the plants require natural nights or resting periods.
- 4
  Water ivy with 2 inches of water every 5 to 6 days. Consistent watering leads to better humidity and moisture and consistent healthy growth.
- 5
  Feed ivy with water-soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer every month. Nitrogen-heavy fertilizer encourages better foliage growth.

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