Hedera rhombea
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Hedera pedunculata,
- Phonetic Spelling
- HED-er-uh ROM-bee-a
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Japanese Ivy is an evergreen climbing plant in the Ivy family (Araliaceae) native to East Asia. It is found on rocky slopes and growing up trees in tropical mountain cloud forests.
It can grow up to 30 feet high and 3 feet wide and climbs on trees, cliffs, and walls by aerial rootlets. It is also grown as a ground cover where no vertical surfaces are available. Grow in shade to partial shade to part sun in moist well-drained, humus-rich soils. If growing indoors, use a humus-rich lightweight soil with good drainage. Keep moist but not waterlogged.
The plant has two stages of growth; the juvenile stage has diamond-shaped leaves with stems that climb or creep along the ground. Once the stems reach the top and some sun, it transitions to the adult stage with oval leaves. The adult stems don't climb and they produce nectar-rich flowers and berries. Cultivars developed from adult stems stay much smaller and make good houseplants.
Use Japanese ivy as a groundcover or on a support for screening in appropriate zones. In colder areas it can be grown s a houseplant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, and bacterial leaf spots
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Creme de Menthe'
Adult cultivar grows ony 30 x 18 inches with variegated leaves - 'Ryudu Island'
Variegated leaves and fast growing - 'Submarginata'
Juvenile variety with variegated leavs and slow growing. - Variegata
Dark green leaves and a narrow, creamy white margin,
- 'Creme de Menthe'
- 'Creme de Menthe', 'Ryudu Island', 'Submarginata', Variegata
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Creme de Menthe'
Adult cultivar grows ony 30 x 18 inches with variegated leaves - 'Ryudu Island'
Variegated leaves and fast growing - 'Submarginata'
Juvenile variety with variegated leavs and slow growing. - Variegata
Dark green leaves and a narrow, creamy white margin,
- 'Creme de Menthe'
- 'Creme de Menthe', 'Ryudu Island', 'Submarginata', Variegata
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hedera
- Species:
- rhombea
- Family:
- Araliaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Ivy fruits and leaves contain a saponin, hederin, which although poisonous can be used medically for the treatment of respiratory disorders because it is a spasmolytic and expectorant.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Temp. Eastern Asia
- Climbing Method:
- Clinging
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Vine
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Round berries mature to black in winter into spring.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Umbel
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, greenish-yellow, gathered in large numbers in erect umbels in the fall. Flowers on mature adult branches only that receive some sun.
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-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Rhomboidal
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Juvenile leaves are diamond-shaped with three lobes and often a heart-shaped base. Leaves on adult branches mostly oval with rounded or broadly cuneate bases. 1 to 3 inches long.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Rock Wall
- Slope/Bank
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
