Common ivy Hedera helix
Common ivy (Hedera helix) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Araliaceae family, native to Europe and western Asia. It grows 20 cm–10 m (8 in–33 ft) tall and 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -29 °C (-20 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Common ivy in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Common ivy at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Araliaceae |
| Mature height | 20 cm–10 m (8 in–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -29 °C (-20 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | from about September for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Europe and western Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇺🇸 United States |
| Invasive in | US (Pacific Northwest noxious weed; naturalised in the south-east and mid-Atlantic), Australia (environmental weed), New Zealand (environmental weed): check local rules before planting |
Is Common ivy toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: leaves, berries, sap
Saponins (hederagenin) and falcarinol cause vomiting, drooling and diarrhoea; the sap causes contact dermatitis.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Common ivy
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
See Common ivy in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Butchart Gardens (10 plants)
Questions about Common ivy
- How far apart should I plant Common ivy?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft).
- Does Common ivy need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Common ivy need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Common ivy?
- It tolerates about -29 °C (-20 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Common ivy flower?
- From about September for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Common ivy poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Saponins (hederagenin) and falcarinol cause vomiting, drooling and diarrhoea; the sap causes contact dermatitis.
- What grows well with Common ivy?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Common ivy. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Juvenile creeping/climbing stage does not flower; the adult (arborescent) stage flowers in autumn and fruits in winter, usually only after 8 to 10 years. Valuable late nectar source; can smother trees and damage soft masonry.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Mountain cabbage tree Cussonia paniculata
- Korean ginseng Panax ginseng
- Fatsia (Japanese aralia, yatsude) Fatsia japonica
- Rice-paper plant (tsūdatsu) Tetrapanax papyrifer
- Ming aralia Polyscias fruticosa
- Dwarf umbrella tree (schefflera) Heptapleurum arboricola
- Creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum
- Hosta Hosta spp.