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Prefers bright indirect light (3-6 feet from a south or west window, or right next to an east window. Under a grow light, 6-10 inches away works well); tolerates lower light but growth becomes leggy and variegated forms lose their color patterning. Avoid direct harsh sun which scorches leaves.Light
Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy from spring through fall. Allow slight drying in winter. Use tepid, chlorine-free water to avoid cold shock and leaf edge browning. Both dry soil and waterlogged soil cause wilting.Water
Prefers 40-60% relative humidity. Low humidity invites spider mites. Mist occasionally or use a pebble tray in dry indoor environments.Humidity
Prefers cooler conditions: 50-70°F (10-21°C). Struggles above 75°F and may die above 90°F. Keep away from heating vents and radiators. European colonists introduced it to North America as early as 1727.Temperature
easyDifficulty
Hedera helix plant

English Ivy

Hedera helix

Easy

Hedera helix is one of the most recognizable plants in the world, with its distinctive three-to-five-lobed leaves clinging to walls, trailing from shelves, and draping over just about any surface it can reach. Indoors it grows happily in cooler conditions that most tropical houseplants find uncomfortable, making it useful for hallways, offices, and north-facing rooms. Your main job is keeping it from drying out completely and watching for spider mites, which seem to regard English Ivy as an all-inclusive resort.

Hedera helix plant
Robert Flogaus-Faust, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hedera helix plant
Robert Flogaus-Faust, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Care Guide

How to grow English Ivy

Light

Prefers bright indirect light (3-6

Water

Keep soil evenly moist but

Humidity

40-60%

Temperature

50-70°F

Soil

Standard well-draining potting mix.

Propagation

Easy from stem cuttings rooted

Common Problems

Spider mites, mealybugs, scale, and

Did You Know

Fun Facts

English Ivy was included in NASA's 1989 Clean Air Study and was found to filter benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and trichloroethylene from indoor air, though how much it actually improves air quality in a ventilated room remains debated.

Pet Safety

Toxic to pets

Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Toxic principle is triterpenoid saponins (hederagenin). Foliage is more toxic than berries. Symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, excessive drooling, and diarrhea. Sap causes dermatitis in sensitive people. Confirmed toxic by ASPCA.

Sources

  1. English Ivy - ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants (opens in new tab)ASPCA
  2. English Ivy - ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants (opens in new tab)Reference
  3. English Ivy - Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States (opens in new tab)Reference
  4. English Ivy Plant Care & Growing Guide - Healthy Houseplants (opens in new tab)Reference
  5. English Ivy Plant Care & Growing Guide - Healthy Houseplants (opens in new tab)Reference
  6. Hedera helix Care Indoors - Home Plants Guide (opens in new tab)Reference
  7. Hedera helix Care Indoors - Home Plants Guide (opens in new tab)Reference
  8. English Ivy - Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States (opens in new tab)Peer-Reviewed
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