When caring for ivy as a houseplant, it unfortunately quickly happens that aphids infest the tender leaves. An unfavorable location is almost always responsible for the lice infestation. How you can recognize a lice infestation on ivy and what you can do about it.
How do you fix and prevent lice infestations on ivy?
To combat ivy lice, rinse the plant thoroughly, cut off severely affected tips and spray them with nettle decoction or dish soap solution. You can prevent this by choosing a cool, shady location, sufficient moisture and regular ventilation.
How do you recognize a lice infestation on ivy?
If the leaves of the ivy dry up, you should check whether aphids have spread on the plant. Lice remove moisture from the leaves, causing them to turn brown and later fall off.
The lice often reside on the underside of the leaves, look under the leaves. Sometimes small holes can also be seen.
Tips for fighting lice
If you have a severe lice infestation, take immediate action to save the ivy. Rinse the plant thoroughly with the shower spray to rinse off the aphids. Sometimes it makes sense to simply cut off severely affected tips and dispose of them.
Mix nettle broth or dish soap solution. To make nettle decoction, place a few fresh nettle shoots in rainwater for a few hours and then pour the solution into a spray bottle. If there are no nettles, a decoction of a little dishwashing liquid diluted with water also helps.
Spray all ivy vines carefully. Don't forget the undersides of the leaves. This will destroy any remaining lice and their clutches. You should then supply the ivy with liquid fertilizer (€8.00 on Amazon) or fertilizer sticks to strengthen the plant overall.
How to prevent lice on ivy
There are some environmental conditions in the room that promote the appearance of aphids. If you ensure an ideal location and the right care, you can effectively prevent a lice infestation:
- cool, shady location
- Keep soil sufficiently moist
- Increase humidity by spraying
- do not place next to radiators
- ventilate more often
- spray with water occasionally in winter
Tip
Ivy is often kept in the room in hanging baskets that are hung on shelves or the ceiling. Up in the room the air is warmer and drier. To prevent this, water more often and ensure cooler temperatures through ventilation.