Discover fascinating ivy plant species in alphabetical order. See the photographs for ideas on how to display it for indoor use.
Ivy plants are one of the most beloved and beautiful types of plants to keep in your home. That’s because they can climb on walls, creating a majestic scene, or they can be kept inside and produce a unique look in various areas of the home. These different types of ivy Plants are usually low maintenance, and they can be watered as need be once you notice that their soil is dry.
For beginners in indoor plants, nothing beats having an indoor ivy plant to decorate your home or apartment! Below are some of the most popular types of ivy plants to use for your home. Feel free to hang them up near your window with your favorite choice of hanging baskets, sit back, and watch the magic happen as they grow!
21 Types of Ivy
1. Algerian Ivy
Algerian Ivy plant goes by many names, including canary island ivy, canary ivy, Canarian ivy, or Madeira ivy. The scientific name of canary ivy is Hedera Canariensis, but it could also be listed under the name Genera Algeriensis. It is known for its growth in hot and humid areas. It is grown in the Canary Island, Portugal, and is now in the United States as well. This is a popular ivy to grow outside in both shaded and full sun areas. While you’re free to grow this plant in full sun, keep in mind that it might not do well and will need to be constantly watered. Unlike other ivy flowers and other plants in the same species, Algerian ivy is less tolerant to dry conditions.
Therefore, it’s best to put it in an area of the home that will get a full shade or partial shade. There are lots of variegated ivy varieties of this plant, making it one of the most preferred for homeowners that want a good contrast on the outside of their home. It is also widely used in floral arrangements.
This is one plant that is beautiful in the variegated variety, and it is often called cream-colored ivy. If you choose to have variegated Algerian ivy, keep in mind that putting this type of variety in the shade, it might go back to being all green. A mix of partial shade and sun is best for these types of ivy plants, though they will thrive in any condition.
2. Asterisk Ivy
This is a unique type of ivy plant that produces a beautiful type of leaf shape that almost resembles a star. Hence, the name asterisk ivy was born, to pay homage to the beautiful five-stared leave.
This is one of the most popular types of ivy plants today because it can easily climb various types of buildings, and it is a woody vine with thick stems. The great thing about the asterisk ivy is that it can survive in many different types of hardiness zones in the United States, and requires little maintenance as well.
3. Boston Ivy
Have you ever wondered where is the term Ivy League school comes from? Boston Ivy plant is actually to blame for the name, but it is one of the most beautiful and beloved Ivy plants in North America. This type of ivy can be easily grown, however, you will need to trim it from time to time. Pruning and trimming your Boston Ivy will ensure that your Ivy does not overtake your gutters or your siding. Boston Ivy is hailed for being one of the most beautiful types of plants for outdoor uses. They can be suitable for home and commercial buildings.
They also change color during the fall season, producing orange and red leaves with the fall. Though his type of ivy is beautiful, it is known to be invasive. Although it won’t be as damaging as English ivy, it’s best to use this ivy sparingly in areas of the home where you know you will be able to reach and trim often. Boston ivy is grown during the springtime, and it is fairly easy to maintain, making it one of the most useful ivy plants for beginners.
4. Cyprus Ivy
This is another type of ivy that is common in different homes and can be found around the United States. What separates Cyprus ivy from the rest of the plants on this list is that it produces blackberry fruits that are available during the spring and summer times.
Cyprus ivy also has the unique characteristic of being found on the island of Cyprus, although it is now, of course, widely available here in the United States. For people that enjoy having an ivy plant that can freely climb on tree trunks and that produces beautiful fruit, we recommend Cyprus ivy as the first choice for homeowners.
5. Creeping Charlie
If you’re looking for an ivy vine that is low maintenance and that can be used as ground cover, there’s no better choice than the creeping Charlie ivy. This plant isn’t native to North America. It was brought into the continent by European settlers and has been a staple here ever since. While some people might think this plant is invasive, its beautiful blue flowers make it a favorite among garden owners that want a unique burst of color during the springtime.
The leaves are set in a pattern of four, and they are more textured than other types of ivy. They are also quite strange in that when crushed, they produce a smell that is almost similar to mint. However, this plant should not be confused with mint, and it should also not be consumed. It is best when grown on lower shrubs and areas such as ground cover.
The creeping Charlie is also low maintenance. Although creeping Charlie needs moist soil to stay alive, it gets its moist soil content by thriving and growing directly under trees and shade. Therefore, it captures existing water and is a culprit for people that have lawns that are constantly watered. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to get rid of this plant if you continue to water your garden or have your sprinkler set on a timer.
If you want to get rid of creeping Charlie, it’s best to stop watering that area, go in there and take the weed out yourself, or dry out the soil purposefully by stopping the flow of water to that area. If it is growing directly over grass, this might be more difficult to do, so it’s best to remove it yourself and make sure that no other roots are left behind.
6. Duckfoot Ivy
As the name suggests, duck foot ivy plants get their name from the unique look of their leaves, which resemble duck feet! This is a fast-growing ivy that produces small, dark green leaves during all times of the year. It is best if you need slope coverage, and is widely used to protect the surrounding area of homes against soil erosion.
It is used as ground cover for many landscapers, but can also be used as a climbing vine and cling to existing roots. This type of plant will need to be watered regularly, especially during the peak of summer and in extremely hot weather.
7. English Ivy
English ivy is often mistaken for Irish ivy, but the two are fundamentally different. English ivy is known as the Hedera helix, and they are similar to other plants in the Hedera family. It is more popular than Irish ivy, but it is just as invasive and there is little difference outside of its scientific makeup and its DNA.
This is a great ivy to add to the outside of your home if you want a fast-crawling ivy, but it can be invasive and damage the outside of your property if you aren’t careful. Make sure to always trim and clear away excess English ivy from your home.
Like Irish ivy, it will require direct sunlight to bloom. Birds will feed on the seeds and flowers during the springtime. This is a flowering plant that will produce small, almost crystal-shaped white flowers, giving it a beautiful white hue during the springtime.
8. Goldchild Ivy
Goldchild Ivy is still considered a Hedera Helix plant belonging to the family of English Ivy. However, the difference is that this ivy Hedera species produces dark green leaves with hints of yellow! It is so beautiful, that it was named ivy of the year for 2008! The Goldchild ivy is a variegated version of English ivy but is specific to only the golden hue variety.
For people that want to plant this climbing ivy plant in their garden or home, it’s best to use it as ground cover or as cover on a short or low wall.
9. Himalayan Ivy
The Hedera nepalensis, also known as the Himalayan ivy, can be grown both indoors and outdoors, but this woody vine typically does better when outdoors. It can be used as ground cover, like most other ivy plants, or it can be used to decorate the outside of buildings and fences.
The Himalayan ivy does have poisonous features, so it’s best to keep this plant away from pets and small children. However, it’s a great plan for those that want coverage fast since it can grow year-round, is easy to propagate, and is also fairly easy to maintain.
The Himalayan ivy requires semi-dry soil and should be watered when the top 3 cm of the plant feels dry to the touch. Besides that, there are no other care needs for this fast-growing plant. If you do put it in a pot, make sure that the drainage is fairly good to prevent excess moisture. One of the best choices to plant this ivy will be a terra cotta pot that absorbs and takes away moisture.
Himalayan ivy is also known as one of the best climbing ivy plants in the wild, growing as tall as 50 to 100 feet tall! It has dark green to gray leaves and will need little maintenance when grown outside. To help prevent climbing ivy vines where they shouldn’t trim sparingly.
10. Irish Ivy
Irish ivy is scientifically known as Hedera Hibernica, and it should not be confused with English ivy. These ivy vines are considered to be invasive, and their green leaves are larger than those of English ivy. Irish ivy can be found readily in North America, and just like regular Boston ivy, it can be damaging to your home if it is not properly maintained.
For homeowners that want a solution for Irish Ivy, it’s best to get rid of the ivy vine as soon as you notice it begin to take hold of your home. This is not a suitable indoor plant, since it only really grows when it is climbing vertical walls. It does flower during the springtime and provides some much-needed nutrients for the surrounding bird populations. The Irish ivy plant them produced dark colored berries.
Its green leaves are leather to the touch, and it has glossier dark green leaves than most other types of ivy plants Out there. The leaf shape is also unique and resembles a large half star. If you do wish to grow this type of ivy in your home, moist soil and lots of direct sunlight are recommended. Though it can do well in shaded areas, to reach its mature growth stage, Irish ivy will need more light.
11. Iberian Ivy
Iberian ivy is also known as Hedera Iberica in the scientific community. This is another type of ivy similar to Hedera helix, or English ivy, in that it will have two very distinct phases in life. During the juvenile phase, Iberian Ivy can grow as ground cover or cover for small walls. They will need to climb tree trunks, fences, posts, or other types of areas to reach the second half of their lifecycle.
The evergreen plant will then produce woody stems, and the ivy produces flowers later on to reach its final stages. This ivy plant is poisonous to both pets and humans, and should not be ingested. Besides that footnote, the Iberian ivy is easy to maintain and fast growing.
Although it needs to climb to reach its second growth stage, this isn’t necessary for its survival. Like other different types of ivy, it can be used as ground cover where no climbing areas are available.
12. Japanese Ivy
Japanese ivy is also known as Hedera Rhombea because of the rhombus-like shapes of its leaves. They resemble leaves curling inward to each other. This Japanese ivy vine produces bright yellow fruits that should not be eaten! That’s because its fruits are dangerous to humans, however, they can be used for medicinal purposes by scientists. This is quite a robust type of ivy, and it can be easily propagated if you want to use it for future growth around your home.
Japanese ivy can be told apart by its purpose and red stems, and its changing colors during the fall months. Japanese ivy needs very little climbing support and is equipped with adhesive pads so it doesn’t need to have any sort of help climbing up.
If you notice Japanese ivy on your property, make sure to cut it right away as its ivy vines can cause significant damage to your property and surrounding buildings. If you’re unsure of how to care for the ivy, it’s best to get rid of it since it can destroy siding and paint on the home.
However, if you enjoy looking at its diamond-like leaves, we recommend leaving this vine to grow on tree trunks, where it does best.
13. Moroccan Ivy
Hedera Maroccana, also known as Moroccan ivy, is as popular as Hedera Algeriensis for ivy that can climb slopes and thrive in hot and humid conditions. Moroccan ivy plants have large leaves that can grow anywhere from 2 to 8 inches in diameter, giving them a striking appearance. For people that need a type of ivy that will be well suited to the outdoors, there’s no better choice than this climbing ivy that is native to the Northern African coastal regions.
It can also be distinguished from different types of ivy due to its red stems that have hints of purple in them. It produces beautiful, small greenish flowers that will eventually produce dark fruit. Like all other ivies, you should not eat any of the fruits produced on its vine.
14. Needlepoint Ivy
Needlepoint ivy is one of the most unique plants out of the entire ivy family. These types of ivy plants have leaves that have three to five points and have dark green leaves with lines of light green throughout. They produce fine leaves that make them an excellent choice for urban areas.
This is because the needlepoint ivy plant can withstand pollution surrounding it, as well as withstand different types of shade. However, it does best when grown in partial shade. In addition, this is a plant that will need to be regularly maintained and can be pruned whenever possible.
It is one of the best plants to use indoors, since it performs well in containers and spills out naturally, creating a beautiful porch screen. When watering, make sure that the soil never dries out completely.
15. North African Ivy
This is a type of ivy plant that does well in different types of soil, from clay to silt. It comes in a variegated variety and is easy to care for in hotter and more arid climates. Many people enjoy North African ivy due to its ability to climb walls without being as invasive as the English ivy, and also for its very decorative features.
It has a unique leaf shape that has patterns of white on the edges, giving it a festive pattern that looks good on any home. Maintenance for this plant includes watering sparingly, as well as making sure that it is not competing for resources with other surrounding plants. This is also the perfect plant for commercial businesses, since it is resistant to deer, and foot traffic, and is also resistant to drought!
While you won’t have to water it too much and it can withstand most types of conditions, the one mistake you can make is over watering this plant. You will need to keep it well-drained whether that’s inside or outside. If you keep it indoors, make sure to water sparingly.
For outdoor areas, you can also surround your plant with silt or gravel, which will help soak up any type of water and prevent excessive moisture from destroying your plant.
16. Persian Ivy
Persian ivy produces large shiny green foliage that is perfect for ground cover in most garments, or it can grow freely climbing up a variety of different tree trunks and homes. Persian ivy is known for its green flowers and white flowers that, unlike other types of plants, actually bloom during the fall season. It is also known as Hedera colchica, and it produces the longest leaves of any of the other types of ivy plants on this list. It is also known as one of the most popular types of evergreen climbing ivy for homes and businesses.
The leaves resemble long, pepper-like foliage! They also produce white flowers that bloom throughout the fall season. This makes Persian ivy and Hedera colchica a good choice for homeowners that want a bit of color when the leaves are falling during the autumn time. Persian ivy plants are also widely used as indoor plants because they grow fast and can make a beautiful, cascading hanging basket. Make sure to use this Persian ivy indoors and outdoors only away from pets such as cats and dogs, as well as horses.
While the flowers produced by Persian ivy Attract lots of wildlife, such as bees and small insects, they are poisonous to most pets and also horses. Fortunately, they can be placed in hanging baskets away from the floor or left outside in less traveled areas in full or partial shade.
17. Poison Ivy
Not all types of ivy can be grown either indoors or outdoors, and one of the best examples of this is poison ivy. Poison ivy commonly grows as a low shrub, and unlike English or Irish ivy, it is not a climbing vine that grows vertically on the outside of buildings or trees. It is also dangerous to humans to touch it, producing a rash that is extremely painful and might also result in small raised bumps or blisters.
Most people think that the reaction to poison ivy comes from the plant itself. However, the allergic reaction that people how to poison ivy is actually due to the oils that cover the outside of the leaves. Poison ivy can be difficult to detect. However, a telltale sign is three leaves that make up a single leaflet. For outdoor plants, make sure to steer clear of this one!
18. Russian Ivy Vine
All of the different types of ivy on this list can grow rampant and have the potential of destroying surrounding gardens. Because of this, it’s best to keep them outdoors instead of using them as an indoor plants. This is no more true than in the case of the Russian Ivy! If you need a creeping ivy plant that will grow under any condition and that will provide coverage on a fence or another area of the home fast, then Russian ivy is a perfect choice.
This plant has trailing vines that are not only full of beautiful green leaves but also produces small white flowers that hang in branches. They can grow almost anywhere, and that might not always be a good thing. Although they are incredibly beautiful and very low maintenance in terms of growing, these ivy vines will require a lot of trimming as the plant grows.
We recommend that the Russian ivy be planted away from other plants you might have growing in your home. Doing so will ensure that the Russian ivy won’t compete for resources, and has enough space to grow on its own. There’s virtually no condition for this plant. It can grow outdoors in full sun, partial shade, and everything in between.
19. Swedish Ivy
Swedish ivy is one of the easiest houseplant ivy plants for beginners! It is beloved for its trailing vines, and it is used widely in different households and can be hung in your favorite planter baskets. You can get some at amazon.com.
The Swedish ivy plant should be watered weekly and only mildly drained. Draining the plant all the way is not recommended, since it needs to have moist water. This is one of the most beautiful ivy houseplant choices due to the leaves that make up the vine.
The green leaves will have speckles of white, and they resemble mint leaves with scalloped edges. However, they are glossier than mint leaves and are a treat for people that want a houseplant that is easy to care for. In addition, you can also use the Swedish ivy plant to surround your garden and act as a barrier for your different types of outdoor plants.
20. Sulphur Heart Ivy
The sulphur heart ivy is appropriately named and beloved for its unique, leaf shape resembling a heart. Like all other types of ivy, this is a growing ivy that can be used as ground cover or can grow freely on the side of buildings. You might notice a burst of color in the middle, as the dark green glossy color is more prominent at the edges of the heart and is more yellow in the middle.
Unlike some other types of ivy on this list, the ivy vine on this plant will need to be fairly well maintained and needs to be supported by different types of plants at its base. This is a type of ivy that grows tall at around 30 feet with a 3-foot spread. However, although it is intimidating, it is less invasive than other types of ivy such as English or Russian ivy.
For this type of ivy, it’s recommended that it is part of a mass garden or is used on fences or posts. It is the perfect type of ivy to use for shade, and it can be easily placed on the permitter of a property as a privacy screen or for any other type of use that requires heavy and dense screening. Check this Fusion Privacy Screen for inspiration.
This isn’t the best plant to use with other vines, so make sure to give it enough space for its trailing vines to spread far apart.
21. Variegated Ivy
Many types of ivy plants, including the ivy Hedera Helix, come in a variegated form. This means they are available with green leave dotted with white throughout. These variegated varieties can easily be grown indoors or outdoors, and provide a beautiful contrast. English ivy, climbing ivy, and Hedera helix are all different types of ivy that are available in the variegated variety.
Make sure to take good care of these types of ivy plants, since they are considered valuable and beloved by many gardening enthusiasts! Keep in mind that some variegated ivy varieties will need special care to keep their white color.
For instance, English ivy that is variegated will not be able to withstand the direct sun. This means it isn’t a good choice if you live in the middle of a desert environment, such as Southern California or the American southwest. Instead, it will need bright sunlight that is pointed away from it and not directly covering the plant.
If you need help knowing where to put your variegated ivy, ask your local gardening store like home depot. Besides that, follow the instructions of your variegated ivy type. If you do, you’ll be rewarded with a festive ivy that looks amazing year-round!