Thinking about growing houseplants lately? Then you have one to suit yourself the best. Swedish ivy, the name is not only intriguing, but the whole experience of growing it is enticing. Through this Buzzle article, you may find answers to some of the basic queries, which perhaps had stopped you from growing them at home.

Let's put up a good show!
• Swedish Ivy is displayed best when it is grown in hanging baskets.
• It is appealing to see a ground cover of Swedish ivy in gardens.
Before exploring the ideal conditions to grow a Swedish ivy at home, it is vital to know about a notion that is associated with it. The nomenclature, Swedish ivy, is linked to two plant types, viz., Plectranthus australis and Plectranthus verticillatus, which differ from each other in more than one way, but are similar in many others. The former has its roots in Australia, while the latter is a native of South Africa. However, they are both houseplants; hence, they were introduced as ornamental plants across the length and breadth of the globe.

Plectranthus australis and Plectranthus verticillatus are characterized by their oval-shaped, green, and glossy leaves. Leaves and stems of Plectranthus verticillatus are sometimes purple from under. They both bear white- or purple-colored flowers. On the whole, both the varieties of Swedish ivy require similar growing conditions. Therefore, the basic criterion to grow them is no different. At the end of the day, you are growing a Swedish ivy; the varieties you may choose could be any.

Tips for Swedish Ivy Care
TEMPERATURESwedish ivy grows well, both outdoors and indoors. It just needs moderate temperature to grow. It can tolerate cool temperatures during winter, but will wither if kept in freezing degrees for long.

Don't: They are not at all frost-tolerant. Never keep them cold. Always move your plant indoors during lower temperatures.
PRUNINGPruning your plant results in healthy new growth. It is essential to prune the young Swedish ivy so that they get a thick, bushy foliage. In many instances, it has been seen that pruning helped to revive dying plants as well. You can also have newer growth from the pruned sections of the plant.

Do: Cut the stems when they become visibly thick. This allows equivalent growth.
WATER REQUIREMENTThe thumb rule for correct water requirements is to water it when you observe the top layer to be dry. These houseplants are very easy to grow and do well if the water level is kept optimum. Care should be taken not to keep the soil soggy. The leaves, which form the key attraction of this plant variety, may lose its shine if kept dry for long intervals.

Don't: Never over-water the plant as it may result in root rot, yellow leaves, and premature fall of the same.
SOILThe soil requirement varies from neutral to mildly acidic. A mixture of pot soil and peat moss does wonders to the plant. Place this soil mixture in a well-drained pot.

Do: Placing pieces of old plant pots or some granules of stones helps in proper drainage from the pots.
LIGHTIf you are growing Swedish ivy indoors, always keep the pot in a place where it can obtain the morning sunlight. During the day, you can have it placed in such a way that it receives filtered sunlight; for instance, curtain-filtered light helps. Hard light can cause your plant to droop. But light requirements are subject to change, owing to season change.

Don't: Exposure during the afternoon times may result in severe damage to your beloved ivies.
FERTILIZERSFertilizers are indispensable to witness beautiful lush foliage for long. The ideal one for Swedish ivy is any water-soluble fertilizer. During the growing phase, maintain a three-week gap. Once the growing period is over, reduce it to once a month.

Do: Mulch is also recommended.
Key Instructions

• Scouting comes handy to look out for mealybug, spider mites, and root rot, which can hinder the growth process. Watch out for these, and nip them in the bud to have long, cascading trails of your Swedish ivy.
• The USDA Zone for Swedish ivy should be kept within 9 - 11.

You can grow Swedish ivy with bare minimum effort and props, and still enjoy a picturesque home décor or green ground carpets for as long as you want.