Houseplant
English Ivy
Hedera helix · Araliaceae
Also called: English Ivy, Common Ivy, European Ivy
English Ivy (Hedera helix) is a moderate-water houseplant well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It's a fast-growing houseplant.
English Ivy at a glance
- Water use
- Moderate (established)
- Sun
- Indoors, give bright indirect light; variegated forms need more light to hold their pattern. Avoid hot direct desert sun through glass, which scorches leaves.
- Mature size
- Trailing or climbing to several feet indoors; easily kept compact by pruning.
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Bloom
- Does not bloom as an indoor juvenile plant; foliage plant., Rarely blooms indoors
- Cold hardiness
- More cold-tolerant than tropicals, but grown indoors in Tucson; comfortable at normal room temps, ideally cooler nights (50-70°F). Prone to spider mites in hot, dry indoor air.
- Soil
- Standard well-draining potting mix; tolerates a range but dislikes waterlogged roots.
- Native range
- Europe and western Asia
- Best used as
- Indoor trailing/hanging accent, Topiary, Shelf or mantel cascading plant
- Wildlife
- None (indoor plant).
- Toxicity
- Toxic to cats, dogs, and humans; foliage contains triterpenoid saponins causing GI upset, drooling, and the sap can cause contact dermatitis. Keep away from pets and children.
How to grow English Ivy in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Let the top inch of soil dry between waterings, then water thoroughly; it prefers slightly moist but not soggy soil and tolerates brief dryness better than overwatering. Provide good humidity in Tucson's dry indoor air.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Feed monthly with a balanced houseplant fertilizer (e.g., 20-20-20) at half strength during spring and summer; do not feed in winter.
Pruning & care
Pinch and trim regularly to control length and encourage bushiness; cuttings root easily in water. Wipe leaves to deter spider mites.
Notes
Best grown as an indoor or shaded patio container plant in Tucson; it cannot tolerate full low-desert sun and heat outdoors and would scorch. Note: English ivy is considered an invasive species in many regions, so do not plant it into the ground or let it escape. Watch closely for spider mites, which thrive in Tucson's dry indoor air, increase humidity and rinse foliage to prevent infestations.
Sources: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension; ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List; Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder