Scientific Name: Hedera helix, Hedera canariensis (closely related), Hedera hibernica (closely related)

Aliases: english ivy, common ivy

Family: Araliaceae (aralia family)

Mature Plant Size: 5-10" tall by up to 24" wide (indoors), vines may grow up to 75' tall outdoors in native habitat

Type: Vining evergreen

Growth Rate: Medium

Light Requirements: Prefers bright indirect sunlight with some direct sun during winter months; will tolerate medium to high lighting conditions

Moisture Requirements: Evenly moist soil; water thoroughly when soil begins to dry out; do not let soil dry out completely

Soil Requirements: Will grow in any well draining potting mix; prefers one-third potting soil, one-third sphagnum peat moss, and one-third perlite or an organic soil mixture

Natural Habitat: Native to southwest Asia and Europe; commonly considered invasive in nonnative climates

Care Recommendations: English ivy prefers temperatures ranging from 55-70 degrees F, but most cultivars will tolerate temperatures as low as 25 degrees F and temperatures as high at 85 degrees F. The common ivy also prefers humidity levels over 50 percent to prevent spider mite infestations. English ivy should be watered thoroughly but infrequently once the soil becomes slightly dry, and should not be allowed to stand in water. English ivy may be regularly fed with a high nitrogen general plant food applied to the soil during active growth. The plant should not be feed if it is not actively growing.

English ivy may be frequently pruned during active growth by pinching back to produce a bushier plant. Additionally, this plant may be repotted when the plant becomes top heavy or root bound, or when the soil dries out too quickly. Repotting is generally needed approximately every two years, and plants should be placed in containers that are one to two inches larger with good drainage holes.

Propagation: The common ivy may be propagated by layering or by stem cuttings. To take a cutting, cut a stem that is at least six inches long and remove the lower set of leaves (as roots will develop at leaf nodes). The end of the stem cutting may be dipped in rooting powder to speed up rooting, and should then be placed into thoroughly moistened soil. New plants should form roots within 2-3 weeks. Additionally, layering may be performed by pinning a leaf node to soil and then severed from the parent plant when it develops roots.

Pests and Diseases: English ivy is very susceptible to spider mites and sometimes susceptible to scale, mealy bugs, and white fly. To prevent spider mites, plants should be kept in higher humidity levels (above 50 percent). Spider mite infestations may be treated by showering the plant regularly with warm water or treating with horticultural oil for more severe cases. Scale and other pest problems may also be treated similarly.

Note that leaf spot or browning leaf tips may be caused by too high humidity, temperatures extremes, inadequate air circulation, or poor draining and constantly wet soil - all of these may lead to the development of fungus or bacterial growth that results in leaf spotting. Dead, dying, or insect damaged leaves should be removed or pinched back to allow for new growth.

Additional Information:

Common cultivars of English ivy include Harrison with its large triangle shaped leaves that have white veins, King's Choice with its small intricate green leaves, Needlepoint with its small green leaves, and Romanze with it yellow colored variegated leaves. English ivy makes an excellent topiary specimen. English ivy is a true ivy because it is evergreen, vining, and belongs to the genus Hedera. Other plants that are not true ivies include: grape ivy (Cissus rhombifolia), German ivy (Senecio mikanioides), Swedish ivy (Plectranthus oertendahlii), Kenilworth ivy (Cymbalaria muralis), and common Poison ivy (Rhus toxicodendron).

King's Choice is a common commercially available cultivar of English ivy.

English ivy makes a vigorous houseplant and is excellent for topiary.