Hedera helix /ˈhiːlɪks/
Common name: English ivy · Common ivy
Hedera helix is an evergreen, woody climbing vine native to Europe and western Asia. It clings to walls and trees with aerial rootlets and bears glossy, palmately lobed leaves on its juvenile stems. It is widely grown both as a houseplant and as outdoor ground cover.
Care summary
Sun
Partial shade to bright indirect light
Water
Keep evenly moist; let the top dry slightly
Soil
Rich, well-draining loam
Hardiness
Zones 4–9
Mature height
Climbing vines up to 20–30 m outdoors
Pet safe
Toxic if ingested
Difficulty
Easy
Propagation
Stem cuttings root readily at any time of year. Take a 10-15 cm tip cutting below a node, strip the lower leaves, and root in water or moist potting mix; roots appear within a few weeks. Layering a trailing stem into soil also works easily.
Fun facts
- Juvenile ivy has lobed leaves, while mature flowering stems produce unlobed, oval leaves — two distinct leaf forms on one plant.
- Its late-autumn flowers are an important nectar source for pollinators when little else is blooming.
- English ivy is considered invasive in parts of North America, especially the Pacific Northwest.
- Ivy climbs using thousands of tiny adhesive aerial rootlets, not tendrils.