Hedera Helix 'Pittsburg' (Common English Ivy)

Botanical & Common Names
- Botanical name: Hedera Helix
- Common names: English Ivy

Background & Origin
Hedera helix ‘Pittsburg’, commonly known as English Ivy, is a cultivated form of Hedera helix, a species native to Europe and western Asia. English Ivy has been grown in gardens for centuries, valued for its evergreen foliage and adaptable nature. The ‘Pittsburg’ cultivar is an older horticultural selection, thought to originate from cultivated plants rather than the wild, chosen for its compact, bushy growth and classic ivy leaf shape, making it a reliable and decorative ornamental both indoors and out. 🌿


Care Level
- Care level: Easy
- Suitable for beginners: Yes

What It Loves
- Bright spot
- Keep soil lightly moist, not soggy
- Water when the top few centimetres feel dry

Reduce watering in winter
What It Dislikes
- Overwatering or sitting in soggy soil

Best Rooms for This Plant
- Bedroom
- Living room
- Office
- Conservatory

Growth Potential
- Typical height indoors: Up to 30 cm - 200cm tall with time
- Typical spread: Up to 30-90 cm wide
- Growth rate: Quick
- Pruning required: Occasional, to manage old and dried leaves

Is This Plant Right for You?
This plant is a great choice if you:
- Love pretty cascading foliage
- Want an easy-going, low-effort plant

Light
- Best light: Bright warm spot with some direct sunlight
- Avoid: dark shady spot

Watering
- Frequency: Water when top 2 inches of soil are dry
- Seasonal note: Reduce watering in winter when growth slows to almost none.

Humidity
- Prefers: No humidity
- Extra humidity helpful?: It prefers to be cooler than hot and dry

Feeding
- Feed with: A balanced houseplant fertiliser
- Frequency: Once every 2 month during spring and summer. No feeding is needed during autumn and winter.

Toxicity
- Pet safe: No
- Notes: Keep out of reach of pets and small children

Repotting
- How often: Once a year
- Signs it’s needed: Roots growing out of the drainage holes or overcrowding, slower growth, or soil drying very quickly. Choose a pot only slightly larger than the current one to avoid overwatering.