Garden Ivy: Species, Planting and Care

Ivy (Hedera) is an evergreen climber that covers the façades of old houses, gazebos and fences, carpets the ground and thrives indoors too. Here are the ivy species and varieties grown in Ukraine, how to plant it in the garden, how to care for it at home and what to keep in mind for safety.

About the plant

Ivy belongs to the Araliaceae family. The genus has about 15 species found across Europe, North Africa and Asia. Young shoots trail along the ground or climb, clinging to supports with aerial rootlets. The leaves are leathery and glossy — three- to five-lobed on young shoots, but entire and oval on mature flowering stems.

Ivy only flowers in its adult form, usually on sunny upper growth, in September–November. The small yellow-green flowers in rounded clusters are rich in nectar and an important late food source for bees. The black berries ripen in late winter or spring; birds love them, but they are poisonous to people and pets.

Ivy species

• Common ivy (Hedera helix) — the most widespread species. It grows fast, and shoots can climb 20–30 m. Fairly hardy, it overwinters well in sheltered spots in Ukraine and has the largest number of ornamental varieties.
• Crimean ivy (Hedera helix subsp. taurica) — native to the Crimean mountains, tolerant of shade and drought and good as ground cover.
• Persian ivy (Hedera colchica) — with very large, entire leaves up to 20–25 cm. Striking on walls and fences; popular variegated varieties are 'Dentata Variegata' and 'Sulphur Heart' with a yellow centre.
• Canary and Algerian ivy (Hedera canariensis, H. algeriensis) — tender species with large leaves, grown as houseplants in Ukraine; the variegated 'Gloire de Marengo' is well known.
• Irish ivy (Hedera hibernica) — a fast-growing, large-leaved species often used for greening.

Popular ornamental varieties

For balconies, containers and rooms, compact common ivy varieties are chosen: 'Glacier' with grey-green leaves and cream edges, 'Goldchild' with a broad yellow margin, small-leaved 'Little Diamond' and 'Sagittifolia' with arrow-shaped leaves. Variegated varieties are less hardy and need more light.

How to plant ivy in the garden

Spring is the best time: over the summer the plant has time to root and establish before winter. Choose a spot in part or full shade, sheltered from cold wind — for example, by a north- or east-facing wall. Variegated varieties need more indirect light, or they revert to green.

Ivy grows in almost any soil except heavy, waterlogged clay. Loose, moisture-retentive soil with humus is ideal. If you want it to climb, put up a support in advance — mesh, a trellis or a lattice. Space plants 30–50 cm apart for ground cover.

Caring for ivy in the garden

• Watering. Water young plants regularly so the soil doesn't dry out. Established ivy tolerates short droughts but benefits from watering in hot weather.
• Mulch. A layer of fallen leaves, bark or compost keeps moisture in during summer and protects roots in winter.
• Feeding. In spring and early summer, use a balanced fertiliser for foliage plants every 3–4 weeks. Stop nitrogen from late summer so the shoots can ripen.
• Pruning. In spring, remove frost-damaged and dry shoots; in summer, shorten overlong stems and pinch tips for denser growth. Keep ivy out of gutters, roof tiles and window frames.
• Winter. Around Kyiv, common ivy usually overwinters without problems in sheltered spots. Mulch young plants and variegated varieties and cover them with conifer branches or horticultural fleece.

Does ivy damage walls and trees?

Ivy is not a parasite: it doesn't feed on a tree's sap, only uses it for support. On weak or diseased trees, however, a dense mass of stems can shade the crown and weigh down branches. On sound brick or stone walls ivy is usually harmless and can even buffer temperature swings, but on old render and crumbling mortar its rootlets work into cracks. After ivy is removed, the rootlet marks on a wall are hard to clean off.

Ivy as a houseplant

Indoors, ivy is undemanding and grows quickly in hanging baskets, on shelves and on supports. It needs a bright spot out of direct sun, moderate temperatures (18–22 °C in summer, ideally 10–15 °C in winter), watering once the top of the soil has dried and misting during the heating season — in warm, dry air ivy often gets spider mites. Feed every 2–3 weeks from spring to autumn and repot young plants every spring.

Propagating ivy

• Cuttings — the easiest method. Take 10–15 cm tip cuttings with aerial rootlets, strip the lower leaves and put them in water or moist compost. Roots appear in 2–3 weeks.
• Layering — bend a shoot to the ground, nick the bark where it touches the soil, pin it down and cover with soil. Once rooted, separate the new plant.
• Seed — possible but slow, and varieties don't come true.

Pests and problems

• Spider mites, aphids, scale — mostly on indoor ivy in dry air. Rinse the plant in the shower and treat with a suitable insecticide following the instructions.
• Root rot and leaf spots — caused by overwatering and heavy soil. Water less and remove affected parts.
• Small pale leaves, long bare stems — not enough light.
• Variegated leaves turning green — also lack of light; cut out reverted shoots.
• Dry brown leaf edges — dry air or soil drying out.

Ivy and safety

All parts of ivy, especially the berries, contain saponins and are poisonous if swallowed by people, cats and dogs, causing vomiting, stomach pain and other symptoms. The sap can irritate skin and trigger allergies in sensitive people, so wear gloves when pruning. Keep indoor ivy out of reach of children and pets.

Standardised ivy leaf extracts are used in some pharmacy cough remedies, but such products should only be taken as directed and after consulting a doctor. Don't make ivy teas, decoctions or compresses at home: the dose can't be controlled, and the risk of poisoning and skin irritation is real.

FAQ

Does ivy survive the winter in Ukraine?

Common and Crimean ivy usually overwinter in sheltered spots. Variegated varieties and young plants are best protected.

Can I keep ivy at home if I have a cat?

Better not, or place it where the cat can't reach the leaves: ivy is toxic to pets.

Looking for an easy houseplant? Choose from our potted plants with UFL delivery in Kyiv.

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Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.