common ivy

Also known as: common English ivy; European ivy

H. helix is a vigorous, self-clinging climber with three- to five-lobed, glossy, evergreen leaves, often with pale green veins, and some reddish or bronzy colours in autumn. Mature plants produce bushy, non-clinging branches with diamond-shaped leaves, and small, nectar-rich, greenish-yellow flowers in clusters of rounded heads in autumn, followed by black berries in winter

Scientific classification

Species: common ivy (Hedera helix)
Genus: Hedera
Family: Araliaceae

Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling]
Toxicity: Climber Wall Shrub
Plant type: 8-12 metres
Height: 2.5-4 metres
Spread: Evergreen
Foliage: Climbing
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
Season of interest: Full shade · Full sun · Partial shade
Sunlight: 15 – 25 °C
Ideal temperature

common ivy pictures

Distribution of common ivy

Distribution map

Europe, W Asia

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Culture

Information to be completed

Toxicity

Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling]

Quick identification of common ivy

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common ivy care guide

Water when top inch of soil is dry
Watering: Full shade · Full sun · Partial shade
Sunlight: 15 – 25 °C
Ideal temperature

Watering

Water when top inch of soil is dry

Fertilizing

Monthly during spring and summer

Pruning

Routine pruning is unnecessary; shorten overlong shoots to fit the available space. Trim as needed at any time.

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer. Cuttings from adult growth will produce shrubby, non-climbing plants

Growing

Tolerant of a range of soils and conditions but grows best in fertile, humus-rich well-drained alkaline soil in a sheltered spot. See hedera (ivy) cultivation

More growing and care information →