Ivy

How to choose ivy

English Ivy is the familiar dark green form with small lobed leaves. It is the hardiest and the quickest to cover a fence, a wall or a bank, and it is the one to clip into a flat green panel or train over a wire frame. Canary Ivy has larger, glossier leaves on reddish stems and grows faster in mild and warm climates, so it suits big walls and wide areas of ground more than small spaces. Goldchild English Ivy has grey green leaves edged in gold. It grows more slowly, stays neater, and is the pick for pots, hanging baskets and bright indoor rooms.

Green forms cope with the deepest shade. Variegated forms need brighter light to hold their colour and can revert to plain green in heavy shade; cut out any all green shoots when they appear.

Where ivy works

Ivy grows in full shade to part sun, in most soils that drain, and it is frost hardy. It does well in cool and temperate gardens and in shaded positions further north. Use it on masonry walls and solid fences, as ground cover under established trees where lawn fails, to spill from tall pots, or indoors in bright light away from heaters. Keep it off timber cladding, painted surfaces, gutters and old lime mortar, because the clinging roots mark and lift them. On sound brick it does little harm, but it still needs trimming away from windows and eaves.

English ivy is an environmental weed in parts of southern Australia. Do not plant it near bushland or creek lines, and never dump prunings. For other choices see our climbers and the plants for full shade.

Planting and spacing

For ground cover, plant 40cm to 50cm apart and pin the long stems down so they root as they run. Against a wall or fence, plant 60cm to 1m apart, about 20cm out from the base, and lean the stems onto the surface; they attach by themselves once new growth starts. Dig compost through the soil first and water in well. In pots, use a good potting mix and a container with drainage holes.

Care basics

Water regularly through the first summer. Established ivy in shade needs little extra water outside long dry spells. Feed lightly in spring. Clip two or three times a year to keep it flat and within bounds, and cut it back hard in late winter if it gets woody. Ivy that climbs to the top of a support changes to its adult form, which flowers and sets berries that birds spread. Regular trimming keeps it in the juvenile, non flowering stage and is the simplest way to stop it seeding. Wear gloves when pruning, as the sap can irritate skin.

Common questions

Is ivy toxic to pets?

Yes. Ivy leaves and berries are toxic to dogs and cats if chewed, and the berries should not be eaten by people either. Grow it out of reach of pets that chew plants.

Will ivy damage a wall?

On sound brick or concrete it rarely does. It can damage old mortar, render, paint and timber, and it will find its way into gutters and under eaves if it is not trimmed.

Is English ivy a weed in Australia?

It is an environmental weed in parts of southern Australia. Keep it clipped so it does not flower, contain it within the garden, and keep it well away from bushland.

Can ivy grow indoors?

Yes, in bright indirect light with the mix kept just moist. Variegated forms need the brightest spot.