I got this plant as a gift and nobody knows what it is. It’s in poor condition right now because my cat decided it was a snack. I think it made him a little sick, which made me really concerned and curious about this plant. Thank you for taking a look and I hope the pictures are helpful!
Logann-Brie
Hi Logann,
Swedish Ivy Plant
Your plant is called a Swedish Ivy, it may be referred to as Swedish Begonia or Creeping Charlie also. Fortunately, Swedish Ivy is not considered poisonous plant so there shouldn’t be any long term effects on your cat. Here are some care tips that might help. You can read more about the plant in the Popular HousePlant section of the website.
Light: Swedish Ivy Plants require bright indirect light, but no direct sun. Inadequate light causes a Swedish Ivy to “reach’ for the light and become leggy.
Water: Allow the top 30% of the soil of a Swedish Ivy Plant to dry out before watering. Most people kill a Swedish Ivy Plant by over- watering and causing root rot. Yellow leaves on a Swedish Ivy Plant indicate the plant is over- watered. The leaves of a Swedish Ivy become soft and dull green when the plant needs water. You can save an under-watered Swedish Ivy t but it is hard to save an over- watered ivy plant.
Fertilizer: Feed a Swedish Ivy Plant every two weeks in the spring and summer when it is actively producing new leaves. Use a plant food high in nitrogen diluted to 1/2 the recommended strength.
Temperature: Swedish Ivy Plants prefer temperatures between 70-75 degrees during most of the year. In the winter, cooler temperatures, 60-65 degrees, are best for a Swedish Ivy Plant.
Humidity: Although a Swedish Ivy Plant prefers high humidity, it still grows well in regular household humidity.
Flowering: Pinch off the small Swedish Ivy flowers to encourage leaf growth and keep the plant full and bushy.
Pests: Swedish Ivy Plants are bothered by Aphids, whitefly, scale, and especially Mealy Bugs. It is a good idea to spray a Swedish Ivy Plant monthly with the ” green solution” (recipe in the Glossary).
Diseases: Leaf Spot is the most common plant disease that infects a Swedish Ivy.
Soil: Use an organic peat- based soil that drains well.
Pot Size: Do not re-pot a Swedish Ivy Plant until the roots have filled its current pot.
Pruning: A Swedish Ivy Plant needs constant pruning. Cut off 1/3 of the long vines to keep a Swedish Ivy Plant looking full and bushy. The plant cuttings can be used to propagate new Swedish Ivy Plants.
Propagation: Propagate a Swedish Ivy Plant from stem cuttings.
