Common Swedish Ivy Problems and How to Handle Them
A guide to diagnosing and correcting the common cultivation issues that can affect your Swedish Ivy, from its leaves down to its roots.
Swedish Ivy, known botanically as Plectranthus verticillatus, is a popular houseplant appreciated for its fast-growing stems and glossy, scalloped leaves. While it has a reputation for being resilient and simple to maintain, this plant can encounter a few common issues. These problems are easy to diagnose and, with prompt attention, can be corrected to restore the plant to full health.
Watering and Humidity Issues
The most frequent challenges in caring for Swedish Ivy relate to moisture. Overwatering is a primary concern that leads to root rot, where roots decay from excess moisture. Symptoms include yellowing lower leaves, wilting even when the soil is wet, and a stem base that feels soft or mushy. To confirm, you can check the roots; healthy ones are firm and white, while rotten roots are brown and soft.
Conversely, underwatering causes visible stress. An underwatered Swedish Ivy will have wilting leaves, dry soil, and leaf edges that may turn brown and crispy. The key is to find a balance, watering thoroughly only when the top inch of soil has dried out. Low ambient humidity can also cause the tips of the leaves to turn brown, which can be remedied by grouping it with other plants or occasionally misting the foliage.
Incorrect Lighting and Leggy Growth
Proper light exposure is linked to the plant’s fullness. A common issue is “leggy” growth, characterized by long, sparse stems with leaves spaced far apart. This results from the plant not receiving enough light, as it stretches its stems in search of a brighter source. Insufficient light can also cause the foliage to appear pale.
Correcting legginess involves two steps. First, prune the elongated stems back by about one-third to encourage the plant to branch out, creating a bushier form. The second step is to relocate the plant to a more suitable location. Swedish Ivy thrives in bright, indirect light, so a spot near an east-facing window or a few feet from a south- or west-facing window is ideal. Too much direct sun can scorch the leaves, causing them to look faded or burned.
Common Pest Infestations
Like many houseplants, Swedish Ivy can attract pests. The most common are mealybugs and spider mites, which feed on the plant’s sap. Mealybugs appear as small, white, cottony masses, often clustered in leaf axils or on the undersides of leaves. Spider mites are very small, but their presence is revealed by fine webbing on the plant, particularly between leaves and stems.
For a small mealybug issue, you can dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and wipe the pests away. If the infestation is more widespread or if you are dealing with spider mites, a more thorough treatment is needed. Spraying the entire plant with an insecticidal soap or a neem oil solution can manage the population. Before applying any treatment, it is a good practice to first rinse the foliage with water to dislodge pests.
Nutrient and Soil Problems
The health of a Swedish Ivy is tied to its soil and nutrient intake. Over-fertilizing can lead to a buildup of salts in the soil, which may appear as a white crust and cause leaf tips to turn brown. On the other hand, a lack of nutrients results in pale, yellowing leaves and stunted growth. A balanced liquid fertilizer applied monthly during the growing season is sufficient.
Eventually, your plant will need to be repotted. A plant that is “root-bound” has filled its pot with roots, leaving little room for soil and new growth. Signs of a root-bound plant include roots growing out of the drainage holes, slowed growth, and water running straight through the pot. The solution is to move the plant to a new container that is only slightly larger, using fresh, well-draining potting mix.