Ivy is a popular houseplant because of its beauty and low maintenance requirements. So you are wondering: can ivy grow in low light!
In this article, I will answer this question. Plus I will tell you what to do in order to give your ivy plant the light it loves.
But before diving deep into the details I will put the answer for our main question as simple as this: can ivy grow in low light? Ivy can grow well in low-light conditions. But it will thrive in bright indirect sunlight. While it will not tolerate direct sunlight. As such light will burn its leaves.
Keep reading to know why the ivy plant needs sunlight.
Why ivy needs light
Ivy plant produces its food through a process called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process of turning water and carbon dioxide into sugar ( plant’s food).
Such a process requires energy to be conducted. The energy comes from sunlight rays.
But the intensity of the required light differs from a plant to another. In the case of ivy, it needs only bright indirect sunlight in order to grow well.
Although it will survive in low light. But it needs some light because it will suffer and die in complete darkness as it will not be able to produce its food.
How to give Ivy the light it needs
Ivy is considered an invasive plant in most cities. Because they grow fast and invade the environment. They can reach 100 feet tall if they are grown outdoors.
Therefore be careful if you want to grow your ivy vine outdoors. In case you want to grow it outdoors make sure to locate it in a location that gets only bright indirect sunlight.
Although ivy will tolerate early morning direct sunlight, and the very weak direct winter sunlight.
But those are the only exceptions. Otherwise, keep your outdoors ivy away from direct sunlight especially the afternoon one.
Also, ivy will not survive in a temperature below 40 F. If you live in a place that has temperatures below 40 F, it is better to bring your ivy plant indoors during winter.
On the other hand, if you want to give your indoor environment a taste of life, make sure to locate ivy in a place that is away from direct sunlight.
Ivy will flourish and have colorful leaves when it gets exposed to bright sunlight.
Although it will tolerate low light. But its leaves will lose their different colors and turn to green.
A north-facing window is a window that guarded against direct sunlight during the whole day.
While an east-facing window is only exposed to early morning sunlight and guarded against direct afternoon sunlight.
Those are the two ideal spots in your indoor place for ivy plants.
Avoid putting your ivy plant in the south or west-facing windows. Because those windows are exposed to direct afternoon sunlight.
Don’t worry if your room or place is windowless, you can put your ivy plant in any place that has low light and your plant will survive.
How to know it is too low light for your ivy plant
As I mentioned earlier ivy needs some amount of light in order to sustain itself and it will die in complete darkness. Then the logical question is how to know it is too low light for your ivy plant!
Simply, if your ivy plant casts a shade in its place that means there is enough light for your plant to survive.
If you are able to see your plant it means there is light reflecting in the plant. And the situation is ok.
An ivy plant that suffering from too low light will have signs like wilting, drops leaves, and yellowing leaves.
In such a case move your plant to a brighter spot and your plant will bounce back.
Can ivy take full sun?
The general rule is ivy does not tolerate direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will burn the plant’s leaves.
That said, the ivy plant will benefit from early morning direct sunlight ( 1 to 2 hours).
Also, you can expose your ivy plant to the very weak winter direct sunlight.
Other low light plants
The below plants are plants that can tolerate low light conditions. So you can grow them alongside your ivy plant in the same low light spot.
In conclusion
In this article, I hope I answered one of my reader’s most asked questions: can ivy grow in low light. Simply you can grow your ivy in any place that is guarded against direct sunlight and it is not completely dark.
But your ivy will grow better in bright indirect sunlight.
