English Ivy (Hedera helix)

How much light does an English Ivy need?

Full sun, meaning six or more hours of direct sunlight a day, is the preferred outdoor exposure for English ivy. Part shade and full shade are listed as well, and the source defines deep shade as less than two hours to no direct sunlight. Indoors, most ivy cultivars grow best in bright light but not direct sun. They tolerate low to medium light, but growth is reduced and variegated forms may turn all green.

• Light: Full sun, part shade and full shade (full sun preferred)^1,1

How often to water an English Ivy

Evenly moist soil is the goal for this ivy, and its water need is rated medium. The record gives medium as both the lowest and the highest water need. Its drainage record lists well drained, moist and occasionally wet soil. The source behind that record uses the words good drainage.

• Water: Medium²

Best soil for an English Ivy

English ivy is listed for soil that is well drained, moist and occasionally wet. The recorded soil pH range is 5.5 to 6.5. You can compare your own soil with that range before you plant. The soil moisture described for this plant is evenly moist, and the water need is rated medium. Good drainage is the phrase the source uses for the drainage need.

• Soil drainage: Well drained, moist and occasionally wet¹
• Soil pH: pH 5.5–6.5³

Hardiness and temperature

This ivy is listed for USDA hardiness zones 4a to 13b. Zone 4a is the coldest end of that range, and zone 13b is the warmest. Separately, a minimum temperature of 50 °F (10 °C) is recorded, given as a night figure. Humidity is rated high. The source gives a range between 60% and 100%.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–13b¹
• Minimum temperature: 50 °F (10 °C)²

How to plant an English Ivy

Zones 4a through 13b are the range listed for growing English ivy outdoors. Leave room for it, because the plant rapidly grows 20 to 80 ft (6.1–24.4 m) high and 3 to 50 ft (0.91–15.24 m) wide. It is a vine. In the United States it is recorded as introduced in both the lower 48 states and Hawaii. Its preferred exposure is full sun, and the recorded soil pH range is 5.5 to 6.5.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–13b¹

Winter care

Winter hardiness for this ivy is listed as zones 4a to 13b. The source describes it as a broadleaf evergreen. A minimum temperature of 50 °F (10 °C) is also recorded, given as a night figure. The listing gives no winter protection method, so none is described here.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–13b¹
• Minimum temperature: 50 °F (10 °C)²

How to propagate an English Ivy

You can multiply this ivy four ways: by division, root cutting, seed or stem cutting. Stem cutting and root cutting are listed as separate methods, and so are division and seed. The source describes the plant as spreading by all four. It is classed as a vine, and its growth rate is recorded as rapid.

• Propagation: Division, root cuttings, seed and stem cuttings¹

Common problems

Aphids, mealybugs, caterpillars, spider mites, scale, whiteflies and snails and slugs are the pests recorded for this plant. The diseases on record are leaf spot, canker, bacterial leaf spot, stem rot, powdery mildew, anthracnose and phytophthora root rot. That makes seven pests and seven diseases in all.

• Common pests: aphids, mealybugs, caterpillars, spider mites, scale, whiteflies and snails and slugs^1,4
• Common diseases: leaf spot, canker, bacterial leaf spot, stem rot, powdery mildew, anthracnose and phytophthora root rot^1,5

Questions and answers

Is English ivy toxic to cats and dogs?

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center lists English ivy as toxic to cats and toxic to dogs. This page records no severity level for either animal.

How much light does English ivy need outdoors?

Full sun is preferred, meaning six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Part shade and full shade are also listed for this plant.

Which hardiness zones suit English ivy?

Zones 4a to 13b are the range listed on the USDA scale. The growth rate is recorded as rapid, and the plant is a vine.