What Kind Of Pot For English Ivy? (+Best Pot Picks)

English Ivy plants are natives of Europe and grow as houseplants across the US. While growing them indoors, you might wonder if you selected the right pot for your English Ivy. Let’s find out.

Grow your English Ivy plants in clay pots to help the air circulate in the soil. They do not like soggy soil, so using a plastic or metal pot is not ideal for them. A pot with drainage holes is ideal for draining the excess water. Never go for a pot that is too big for the plant.

In this article, we will provide you with all the information about the correct pot type for your English Ivy and the pros and cons of each type so that you can choose the perfect spot for your plant. 

How big of a pot does English Ivy need?

While growing indoor plants, the type of the pot matters.

Unlike an outdoor plant that grows independently on the earth, a potted plant’s growth is confined within the pot.

The pot provides the plant with the required support and space to grow.

The ideal pot should not be more than 2 inches bigger than the existing one.

This size would give the roots space to grow without keeping them clogged in water.

Factors to consider while choosing a pot for your English Ivy

Consider a few factors when choosing the pot to grow your English Ivy.

These will help you choose a suitable pot.

1. Size 

The size of the pot plays a crucial role.

Getting a wrong-sized pot can be highly detrimental to your plant’s health.

I had made the mistake of putting one of my plants in a pot that was too big, so I would not need to repot it frequently.

But this mistake killed the plant.

I learned it the hard way, but you don’t need to.

When you use a big pot, it holds more moisture than the plant can absorb.

Due to this, the soil stays wet for an extremely long time.

This constantly wet soil is disastrous to plants like English Ivy, which does not enjoy wet soil.

This results in fungus growth and leads to root rot.

Also, a large pot will take all the plant’s energy in developing its roots, reducing the foliage growth.

Similarly, if you get a too-small pot, the plant will not get enough space inside the pot.

English Ivy enjoys airflow in the roots and does not like to be suffocated.

The roots will not get the space to expand, making it get pot-bound too soon.

A small pot will tend to suffocate the roots due to a lack of air.

Hence, a smaller pot cannot provide sufficient nutrients and energy.

Also read: What happens if you put a plant in too big of a pot?

2. Drainage

One common mistake many of us commit is growing our beloved plants in decorative pots with no drainage holes.

When we start, many of us don’t understand the importance of drainage holes in the pots.

Check for drainage holes at the bottom of whichever pot you buy, so the extra water cannot accumulate and flow out.

In the absence of drainage holes, the water accumulates at the bottom of the pot, keeping the soil soggy and making it a breeding ground for fungus.

If your existing pot does not have drainage holes, you can drill a few if possible.

Nowadays, many want to keep their plants in fancy pots which do not come with drainage holes.

There’s a solution for that as well.

You plant your English Ivy in a regular pot with holes and put this entire pot inside the decorative pot.

So when you water it, bring the plant out from the fancy pot, water it, let the water drain, and then put it back inside. 

Also read: Do all indoor plants need drainage holes?

3. Material 

The pots are available in various materials like plastic, wood, terracotta, fiberglass, and ceramic.

Each has its pros and cons, which we will discuss thoroughly in this article.

4. Cleanliness 

After you get a pot for your English Ivy, you need to keep it clean.

The buildups from the soil, water, fertilizers, and dirt contaminate the pots.

Also, when plants get infested by pests and bugs, we mostly treat our plants and ignore the pots, which also need sterilization.

The infested pots pass on the germs to the fresh soil mix.

To clean the pots:

1. Wash them under running water and scrub them with soft brushes.
2. Once the dirt is gone, soak them in a large container in a solution containing 90% water and 10% bleach.
3. Soak them for 14-20 minutes, wash them well, and let them dry under sunlight.

This solution kills all the microorganisms and germs that are invisible to the eyes but stick in the pot.

5. Repotting

English Ivy plants grow up to a height of 90-100 feet in the wild, but indoors their reach is lower.

It is a medium-growing plant when you grow it indoors in pots.

It will need repotting every 2-3 years, provided it grows healthily without any diseases or root-bound state.

When you are getting a pot for repotting your English Ivy, get one that is not more than 2″ bigger than the existing one. 

Which pot shape is suitable for your English Ivy?

Pots of multiple shapes are available in the market, like an oval, square, rectangle, etc.

The most common types of pot are the standard pots which are tapered at the bottom because, in these pots, there is lesser soil at the bottom, so the chances of soil staying wet reduce.

On the contrary, the pots with wider bottoms hold more water near the roots, increasing the chances of root rot.

While growing your English Ivy in a wide pot, be careful and allow the soil to dry well.

Which pot material is best for your English Ivy?

Next, we come to the different pot materials available in the market.

There are diverse materials like plastic, clay, ceramic, wood, and fiberglass.

Each has its own benefits ad problems.

Let us understand them in detail so you can choose the ideal material according to the plant’s needs and the care you can provide.  

1. Ceramic

Because of their visual appeal, ceramic pots are in demand by indoor plant growers.

I can’t deny how beautiful my plants look when I place them in ceramic pots.

They come in exclusive shapes, sizes, and colors, instantly adding elegance to your home.

Pros	Cons
They add an aesthetic appeal to our homes.	The soil stays wet for a long time, so the chances of overwatering are more.
They are heavy so you can plant bigger plants without the risk of toppling.	They are more expensive than plastic or clay pots.
Chances of breaking are lower because they do not topple.	Most of these pots are fancy and have no drainage holes. This is dangerous for all kinds of plants because, without drainage holes, the water accumulates at the bottom, not letting the soil dry, causing root rot. Some people drill holes at the bottom to solve this problem, but it is impossible for everyone as drilling requires some knowledge.
Ceramic pots are not porous, so the soil stays moist for long. Ideal for moisture-loving plants.	Ceramic pots are heavy, so if you want to shift them to other areas in the house, it will require a lot of effort.

2. Terracotta pots

Terracotta or clay pots are the oldest and most popular pots to grow plants.

They are made of baked earth and are porous and unglazed.

Pros	Cons
They are inexpensive compared to most other pots. They are available in the market easily.	Soil dries off quickly, so you must water your plants more frequently.
They are heavy, so the chances of toppling are lower.	They can break easily.
They are porous and help in the air circulation in the soil. The roots do not feel cramped, as they can breathe easily.	They can get heavy and be difficult to move around.
The chances of overwatering are lower in clay pots because the soil is allowed to dry off. Fungus growth is lower as the soil stays loose and airy.

3. Plastic

Plastic pots are very widely available nowadays, are cheap, and available in multiple sizes and colors.

Pros	Cons
They are extremely cheap.	They are not porous, so there is no airflow inside the soil.
They are available in every nursery and plant shop. They are available in a large variety of colors and shapes.	Water stays wet for longer, and the risk of fungal growth is higher.
They are lightweight and can be moved around easily.	Root rot occurs in plastic pots more than in other pots.
They last for a long time as they are unbreakable.	Plastic pots are unsuitable for outdoor gardens because direct sunlight damages the pots.
They retain moisture, so they are ideal for moisture-loving trees.	They are not recyclable and environment friendly.

4. Wooden pots

Wooden posts are a recent discovery and have quickly become quite a trend in indoor gardening.

Pros	Cons
They can be recycled from old wooden boxes, chests, etc., and helps in reducing waste. And they are cheaper than ceramic pots.	Wooden pots require maintenance as it gets damaged due to watering.
You can paint them as per your choice. They give a unique exotic touch to the indoor garden.	The soil dries faster, so moisture-loving plants will need more frequent watering.
They are porous, and the soil dries quicker than plastic or ceramic pots.	The floor can get messy after watering due to leakages in the joints. Keeping a plate at the bottom solves the problem.

5. Fiberglass pots

Fiberglass pots have become a recent trend and popular due to their glossy and stylish look.

They are made from fiberglass and resins, similar to plastic and ceramic pots.

Pros	Cons
They are lightweight and can easily be moved around.	They are expensive compared to the other types of pots.
They are non-porous, so moisture-loving pots thrive in them.	They lose their shine and gloss after some time of usage.
They are durable and last for a long time.	They are not porous and hence can lead to overwatering.
They are available in different colors, shapes, and sizes.	They may not always be available everywhere.

6. Metal pots

Metal pots bring an elegant and unique touch to the indoor garden space.

Pros	Cons
They last for a long time as they do not break.	They hold moisture and can easily lead to fungus growth and root rot.
They trap moisture so perfect for moisture-loving plants.	Metal pots begin to rust after a few years and can be quite heavy to carry around.
You can recycle them from old drums, pots, baskets, etc.	They are not suitable for outdoor areas as the sunlight can heat the pot and make it too hot for the plant.
They can be an accent piece in an indoor garden accentuating the corner.	Many metal pots do not have drain holes that need to be manually drilled.

Final words

You can grow your English Ivy in any pot as long as you know how to take care of it. For example, if your English Ivy grows in a plastic pot, it will require less water than one growing in a terracotta pot as terracotta wicks away moisture faster.

Never choose a pot that is too big or too small for your Ivy. You can grow it in any shape but make sure the pot has drainage holes. The excess water will suffocate the roots without drainage holes and cause root rot.

If you are repotting your English Ivy, choose a pot 2″ bigger than the previous one. Don’t forget to clean the pot if your Ivy underwent a pest infestation or fungal disease.

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Reference: Researchgate, University of Tennessee, Mississippi State University, Central Florida Research and Education Center, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.