English Ivy

English ivy (Hedera helix) is an evergreen woody vine native to Europe and western Asia. It climbs by means of tiny aerial rootlets that cling to walls, trees, and fences, and it can also spread as a dense groundcover.

Indoors it is grown for its trailing, lobed foliage in countless cultivars with varied leaf shapes and variegation. Outdoors it is a familiar sight covering buildings and woodlands.

While ornamental, English ivy is aggressively invasive in many parts of North America and elsewhere, smothering native vegetation and damaging trees and structures, so outdoor planting should be done with caution.

• Leaves: Glossy, dark green, typically 3-5 lobed (juvenile form); adult climbing growth has unlobed, oval leaves
• Climbing: Clings via numerous fine aerial rootlets along the stems
• Flowers/fruit: Mature plants produce greenish-yellow flower clusters followed by black berries (juvenile houseplant forms rarely flower)
• Habit: Trailing or climbing evergreen vine
• Variation: Many cultivars with white, cream, or yellow variegation

Light: Bright, indirect light keeps variegation vivid; tolerates medium light but gets leggy in deep shade.

Water: Water when the top inch of soil dries; keep lightly moist but not soggy. Good airflow and occasional misting help prevent spider mites, a common pest.

Soil: Well-draining potting mix.

Temperature: Prefers cooler conditions, 50-70°F (10-21°C).

Feeding: Light feeding during the growing season.

Propagation: Very easy from stem cuttings rooted in water or soil.

Hedera helix is native to most of Europe and western Asia, where it grows in woodlands, on rocky ground, and climbing trees and cliffs.

It has been widely introduced elsewhere and is considered invasive in much of North America, Australia, and New Zealand. It is grown outdoors as a groundcover and climber in temperate climates (USDA zones 4-9) and worldwide as a houseplant.

Ornamental: Grown as a houseplant, hanging-basket trailer, topiary, and outdoor groundcover or wall cover.

Ecological: Its late flowers and berries provide food for pollinators and birds in its native range, though it can damage trees and crowd out native plants where introduced.

Caution: All parts are toxic to cats, dogs, and humans if eaten, and contact with the sap can cause skin irritation.