Ivy (Hedera spp.)

Ivy Plant Features

Ivy is one of the most common houseplants around. A classic favorite, it's been loved for generations because ivy is easy to grow as an indoor plant. It tolerates low light, inconsistent watering, and continues to grow. Plus, because ivy is a vine, you can grow it in a hanging basket, let it trail over the sides of a pot, or let ivy climb to become a living curtain.

There's a wide variety of ivies available; some have colorful variegated foliage or different leaf shapes. Shop around to make sure you find the best ivy for you -- or start a collection of this easy to grow houseplant! With all this versatility, it's no wonder ivies are some of the most popular varieties in our collection of Exotic Angel® plants!

Ivy Questions?
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Ivy Growing Instructions

Grow ivy in medium light for best results. It does tolerate low light, but ivy won't grow as well or last as long in dim spots. Ivy can take bright light indoors, as well, and even a bit of direct sun on its foliage. In general, ivy varieties that have white variegation on their leaves are more susceptible to damage from too much sun.

Water ivy when the top inch or so of the potting mix dries out. If you miss a watering or two and your ivy wilts, don't worry -- it should recover after you give it a splash of water. Take care not to overwater ivy. It's best to keep this houseplant a little too dry than a little too wet.

You don't really need to fertilize ivy more than once or twice a year, but you can get it to grow lusher and faster with more frequent fertilization. Use any houseplant fertilizer and be sure to follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging.

Get more tips for growing English ivy indoors!

Note: Ivy is not meant for human or animal consumption. It can also be invasive in some regions; check local restrictions before using ivy outdoors.

Water

Medium water needs
Light

Indoors: High light

Indoors: Low light

Indoors: Medium light
Colors

Green

Variegated
Special Features

Purifies the air

Our favorite varieties

Adam Ivy

Hedera helix 'Adam'

Adam ivy is a lovely houseplant with mid-green leaves variegated with white and silver.

Aloma Ivy

Hedera helix 'Aloma'

Almoa ivy has finely divided foliage edged in silvery white.

Angel Snow Ivy

Hedera helix 'Angel Snow'

Angel Snow ivy offers rich green leaves playfully streaked and edged in cream and white.

Asterisk Ivy

Hedera helix 'Asterisk'

Asterisk ivy earned its name because its many-pointed green leaves resemble an asterisk symbol.

Bettina Ivy

Hedera helix 'Bettina'

Bettina is a lovely houseplant that's more compact than other ivy varieties. Its green leaves are edged in cream and white.

Big Shot Ivy

Hedera helix 'Big Shot'

Big Shot offers new growth playfully speckled in creamy-gold. As the leaves mature, the variegation fades to a rich, deep green.

California Fan Ivy

Hedera helix 'California Fan'

California Fan has finely devided foliage that have a fun curl, adding to this houseplant's fun texture.

Curly Locks Ivy

Hedera helix 'Curly Locks'

This distinctive indoor plant has leaves that twist and curl!

Dark Pittsburgh Ivy

Hedera helix 'Dark Pittsburg'

Dark Pittsburg has especially dark green leaves and is a medium to fast grower.

Design Ivy

Hedera helix 'Design'

Design is a fun ivy that has dark green leaves and ghostly silvery veins.

Fanfare Ivy

Hedera helix 'Fanfare'

Fanfare ivy offers rich, dark green leaves. It's an excellent houseplant for hanging baskets.

Florida Ivy

Hedera helix 'Florida'

A fine-textured variety, Florida has dark green leaves that are finely divided and elegant.

Fluffy Ruffles Ivy

Hedera helix 'Fluffy Ruffles'

One of the more unusual ivy varieties, Fluffy Ruffles is a unique houseplant with wavy, ruffled green leaves.

Francis Ivy

Hedera helix 'Francis'

Francis has broad, almost fan-shaped, dark-green leaves with multiple lobes. This one can be a little upright than many other ivy varieties.

Garland Ivy

Hedera helix 'Garland'

Garland ivy is a lovely medium-growing selection with shiny, dark green leaves.

Gold Baby Ivy

Hedera helix 'Gold Baby'

Gold Baby is a smaller ivy that has medium-green leaves edged in golden yellow.

Gold Dust Ivy

Hedera helix 'Gold Dust'

Gold Dust offers unusual variegation; the dark green leaves are splattered with golden-yellow spots.

Hail Bob Ivy

Hedera helix 'Hail Bob'

Hail Bob is a delightful houseplant that has dark green leaves with slightly crinkled, golden-yellow edges.

Hermania Ivy

Hedera helix 'Hermania'

Hermania ivy has long, narrow dark green leaves, giving the plant a different texture than its cousins. It's fun to mix with other ivies!

Hester Ivy

Hedera helix 'Hester'

An unusual variety, Hester offers mid-green leaves that are long and narrow.

Ideal Ivy

Hedera helix 'Ideal'

What's not to love about an ivy named Ideal? This one has rich, dark green leaves and a vigorous habit.

Ingrid Liz Ivy

Hedera helix 'Ingelise'

Ingrid Liz ivy is a popular houseplant that has gray-green foliage edged in white and cream.

Jessica Ivy

Hedera helix 'Jessica'

If other ivy varieties are a little big for your taste, try Jessica. This compact variety has dark green leaves and is great in terrariums.

Jubilee Ivy

Hedera helix 'Jubilee'

A miniature ivy, Jubilee is a small houseplant with green leaves variegated in creamy white.

Julia Ivy

Hedera helix 'Julia'

Another mini ivy, Julia has interesting rounded leaves, giving it a different texture than other varieties.

King's Choice Ivy

Hedera helix 'King's Choice'

One of the most delicate-looking ivy varieties, King's Choice has long, narrow leaves giving it a fun spidery effect.

Lauren's Lace Ivy

Hedera helix 'Lauren's Lace'

Lauren's Lace has wacky, ruffled leaves playfully frosted with golden-yellow edges.

Little Hermann Ivy

Hedera helix 'Little Hermann'

A newer ivy variety, Little Hermann has long, narrow leaves of a soft, gray-green color and decorated with silver edges.

Manda's Crested Ivy

Hedera helix 'Manda's Crested'

Manda's Crested is a medium-growing variety that has dark green leaves and wavy edges.

Manda's Yellow Ivy

Hedera helix 'Manda's Yellow'

Manda's Yellow ivy has interesting wavy leaves gracefully edged in golden yellow.

Millennium Ivy

Hedera helix 'Millennium'

An ivy for the ages, Millennium has rounded mid-green leaves edged in cream and white.

Mini Adam Ivy

Hedera helix 'Mini Adam'

A miniature variety, Mini Adam has small gray-green leaves edged in silver and white.

Mint Kolibri Ivy

Hedera helix 'Mint Kolibri'

We love Mint Kolibri ivy because of its curly leaves and lovely white variegation.

My Heart Ivy

Hedera helix 'My Heart'

My Heart has -- you guessed it -- large heart-shaped leaves. The dark green foliage is a brilliant accent for brighter houseplants.

Nena Ivy

Hedera helix 'Nena'

Nena offers broad, mid-green leaves edged in white.

Pixie Dixie Ivy

Hedera helix 'Pixie Dixie'

Pixie Dixie is a mini ivy with finely divided leaves.

Primadonna Ivy

Hedera helix 'Primadonna'

Primadonna is a premium variety that has dark green foliage splashed in white.

PVC Ivy

Hedera helix 'PVC'

PVC ivy has dark green leaves of a traditional shape. It's especially lovely in a hanging basket.

Royal Hustler Ivy

Hedera helix 'Royal Hustler'

Royal Hustler ivy isn't particularly risque, despite its name. It has little, rounded leaves and is an excellent small houseplant. It is a selection of the popular variety 'Lady Kay'.

Royal Tee Ivy

Hedera helix 'Royal Tee'

Royal Tee ivy has rich green leaves divided into a T-shape. It's a vigorous grower and lovely in a brightly colored pot.

Sarah Ivy

Hedera helix 'Sarah'

Sarah is a charmer with soft, gray-green leaves edged in silver and white.

Silver Bells Ivy

Hedera helix 'Silver Bells'

Showing off wide green leaves, Silver Bell's foliage is edged in gray.

Silver Dollar Ivy

Hedera helix 'Silver Dollar'

Silver Dollar has wide, gray-green leaves edged in white.

Silver Lace Ivy

Hedera helix 'Misty'

An award-winning variety, Silver Lace (also called Misty) is an easy houseplant that has long, green foliage with white veins and silver edges.

Spearpoint Ivy

Hedera helix 'Spearpoint'

Long narrow, dark green leaves set Spearpoint apart from the pack!

Starling Ivy

Hedera helix 'Starling'

With so many ivy varieties out there, ever wonder how they get named? We're guessing Starling earned its moniker because the leaves look like a bird's footprint!

Surprise Ivy

Hedera helix 'Surprise'

You shouldn't be surprised by it, but this beautiful ivy is a great houseplant. Its gray-green leaves are edged in white for lots of interest, especially in dim corners.

Wonderful Ivy

Hedera helix 'Wonderful'

It's easy to love an ivy named Wonderful. This easy grower offers dark green leaves and a lush, full shape.

Yellow Ripple Ivy

Hedera helix 'Yellow Ripple'

Yellow Ripple ivy has a lot going on! It's gray-green leaves are edged in gold, and have softly ruffled edges. It's a winner!

Chicago Ivy

Hedera helix 'Chicago'

Chicago ivy features glossy, rich green leaves with lighter veins. The leaves are medium in size and it's a fast grower.