Eastern Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)

How much light does an Eastern Poison Ivy need?

Eastern poison ivy prefers full sun, which the source describes as six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. It is also listed for part shade and for full shade. In sunny areas it can appear as a bushy, erect or trailing shrub. It can also appear as a woody climbing vine. The listed light conditions are full sun, part shade and full shade, with full sun as the preferred one.

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

How often to water an Eastern Poison Ivy

Water needs for this plant are rated medium. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center gives its soil moisture as moist. The University of Florida IFAS Extension says it grows best in fertile, moist, and well-drained soil. The drainage record for the plant also lists moist soil. No cited source gives a watering schedule in days, so that detail is not documented.

• Water: Medium^2,3

Best soil for an Eastern Poison Ivy

The soil drainage record for this plant lists moist soil. The University of Florida IFAS Extension says it grows best in fertile, moist, and well-drained soil. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center gives its soil moisture as moist. No cited source gives a soil pH range, so that value is not documented.

• Soil drainage: Moist²

Hardiness and temperature

Eastern poison ivy is rated for USDA hardiness zones 4a through 10b. The range covers every half-zone from 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b to 10a and 10b. A reader in zone 4a and a reader in zone 10b are both inside the listed range. No cited source records a minimum temperature or a humidity preference, so those values are not documented.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–10b¹

How to plant an Eastern Poison Ivy

The listed hardiness range for planting is zones 4a–10b. Mature height runs from 1–150 ft (0.3–45.72 m). Mature spread runs from 1–9.8 ft (0.3–3 m). The growth rate is listed as rapid. Its US native status is native in the lower 48 states. Planting depth, spacing and timing are not documented for this page.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–10b¹

Winter care

Eastern poison ivy is listed as deciduous. Its hardiness range runs from zone 4a to zone 10b, which takes in both cold and warm regions. No cited source records a minimum temperature, so that value is not documented. Mulching, covering and cutting back for winter are not documented for this page either.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–10b¹

How to propagate an Eastern Poison Ivy

The recommended propagation strategy for this plant is seed. Seed is the only propagation method on file for it. Cuttings, division and layering are not documented for this page. Sowing depth, timing and any seed treatment are not documented either, so this section stops at the method.

• Propagation: Seed¹

Common problems

No cited source records a pest for this plant, so pests are not documented. One disease is on file: leaf scorch caused by Xylella fastidiosa. An EPPO Global Database entry lists a first report of leaf scorch of poison ivy caused by Xylella fastidiosa in Virginia. Symptoms and treatment for this disease are not documented here.

• Common pests: diabrotica virgifera zeae and spotted lanternfly⁴
• Common diseases: xylella fastidiosa leaf scorch⁴

Questions and answers

Is eastern poison ivy toxic to cats and dogs?

The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and non-toxic to dogs. The NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox tags it non-toxic for both as well.

How much sun does eastern poison ivy need?

Full sun is preferred, meaning six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. It is also listed for part shade and for full shade.

What color are the flowers of eastern poison ivy?

The flowers are listed as green, white and brown. The Chicago Botanic Garden describes clusters of insignificant greenish flowers located in the axils of the leaves.