California Ivy Hedera helix

This plant is problematic and alternatives should be considered.  Please see the suggestions in the left-hand column or this video created by Charlotte Glen as part of the Plants, Pests, and Pathogens series.

English ivy is a high-climbing, evergreen vine in the Araliaceae (ginseng) family. It is native to Europe and Scandinavia east to Russia. In North America, English ivy is widespread in urban areas and disturbed forests and is commonly associated with other non-native species. 

When planted in the landscape, it is an invasive, weedy, and aggressive plant, and other groundcovers that do well in partial or light shade should be considered instead. Once established, it is nearly impossible to eradicate and is one of the worst invasive weed problems in North Carolina. It aggressively spreads into native forests, where it smothers tall trees as well as the forest floor, preventing native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees from sprouting.

When grown outside, the plant prefers partial to full shade and rich, acidic, loamy soil. English ivy will, however, tolerate a range of soil conditions and will grow in full sun, although full sun may burn the leaves in the winter. Established vines are hardy and drought and salt tolerant. This plant is frequently browsed by deer.

Cuttings taken from the adult part of the plant develop into a shrub form and, taking into consideration its invasive nature, the plant can be used as an exterior ground cover, in planters or low walls, or stream banks and difficult areas. The plant grows in two stages. The juvenile stage is the climbing/spreading stage, producing thick green leaves on non-flowering stems with adventitious roots. The adult stage is the shrubby non-climbing stage in which stems do not spread or climb, but do produce clusters of greenish-white flowers in early fall followed by blue-black berries. The fruits are ornamental, appearing as a bunch of "grapes" but poisonous when ingested.

Note that the 80 foot height potential for this plant reflects an outside plant. It is safer, and more common, to grow it as a houseplant. Exterior plants typically belong to var. hibernica, which is used as an interior plant in hanging baskets, tall planters, or as grafted standards on X Fatshedera lizei stock. These cultivars are commonly from a different variety, not as cold hardy and with smaller leaves. Smaller-leaved cultivars are often used for topiary shapes, houseplants, or small area ground covers.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: As mentioned, English ivy is invasive, and the rapid growth of the climbing vines can cause structural problems. The plant is subject to aphids, mealybugs, caterpillars, mites, loopers, and scale. Watch for leaf spots, canker, bacterial leaf spot, stem rot, and powdery mildew. Climbing vines around homes easily crawl into unintended areas, curl around gutters, and damage painted surfaces, loose mortar, or aluminum siding if growth is not closely monitored.