Easy Climber Toxic to pets

English Ivy

Hedera helix

English ivy is a very versatile climbing and ground-cover plant.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 7 days
Light

Low light
Humidity

50–60 %
Temperature

5–24 °C

How to care for your English Ivy

Everything you need to keep your English Ivy healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Hedera helix is a climbing and ground-cover plant native to Europe and western Asia. Indoors, its long trailing stems make it a decorative hanging basket plant. Outdoors, it quickly covers walls, fences and ground. It prefers cool temperatures and tolerates shade well. It is very hardy and grows in many soil types.

Watering your English Ivy

Every 7 days

Keep the substrate lightly moist without waterlogging; reduce watering in winter.

How to know it needs water

Substrate dry 1–2 cm below the surface

How much light a English Ivy needs

Low light

Shade to indirect light; thrives in low-light conditions and prefers cool temperatures.

Direct sun tolerated: 0 to 2 h a day
Orientations that suit it: North, North-east, East, North-west, West

Humidity and misting

50–60 %

Medium (50–60%) Regular misting helps deter spider mite infestations, to which ivy is particularly susceptible in dry indoor air.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 30 days

Apply monthly in spring and summer only.

Recommended feed: Diluted balanced liquid fertilizer · 2-1-2

Repotting your English Ivy

Every 24 months

Use an all-purpose, well-draining potting mix; trim any circling roots before repotting.

When: Spring
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Compacted root ball filling the pot
Plant declining despite adequate care

Pruning your English Ivy

Prune regularly to control vigour and maintain the desired shape. Cut just above a node with clean, sharp scissors; cuttings root readily in water.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 11 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 6 in the growing season.

11 J
8 F
7 M
6 A
6 M
6 J
6 J
6 A
7 S
8 O
9 N
11 D

Active growth · Days between waterings

Toxicity

All parts are toxic if ingested by humans or animals; contact with sap may cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Good to know

Can live for several decades
Serves as shelter and food source for many birds

Frequently asked questions about the English Ivy

How do you care for a English Ivy?

Water it every 7 days. Give it low light. Ideal humidity: 50–60 %. Ideal temperature: 5–24 °C. Keep the substrate lightly moist without waterlogging; reduce watering in winter.

How often should you water a English Ivy?

Every 7 days Keep the substrate lightly moist without waterlogging; reduce watering in winter. How to know it needs water : Substrate dry 1–2 cm below the surface.

How much light does a English Ivy need?

Low light Shade to indirect light; thrives in low-light conditions and prefers cool temperatures. 0 to 2 h a day

Is the English Ivy toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. All parts are toxic if ingested by humans or animals; contact with sap may cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Keep it out of reach of your pets and call a vet if any is swallowed.

Why are my English Ivy leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a English Ivy?

Repot every 24 months, ideally in spring. Use an all-purpose, well-draining potting mix; trim any circling roots before repotting.