Plant Library
Types of ivy plants — 12 varieties indoors and out
The 12 most common types of ivy identified — english ivy, algerian, swedish, devils, boston, and more. Care signals and indoor vs outdoor placement for each.
Types of ivy plants — 12 varieties indoors and out
The word "ivy" is one of the most overloaded labels in horticulture. Walk into a garden center and you will find at least 8 different "ivies" on sale — most of which are botanically unrelated to true ivy. True ivy belongs to the genus Hedera (four main species), and everything else with "ivy" in the name is a vine from a completely different family that someone, somewhere, decided looked ivy-ish. This guide breaks down the 12 most common types of ivy you will encounter, separates the true ivies from the imposters, and tells you which to grow indoors versus outdoors.
Identify your ivy in 60 seconds: Photograph a leaf with Growli and we will tell you which species you actually have — pothos and english ivy are the two most common misidentifications.
True ivies — the Hedera genus
Four species in the Hedera genus account for what botanists call true ivy. All four are climbing or trailing evergreen vines with lobed leaves, aerial rootlets that cling to walls, and tiny black or dark purple berries on mature plants.
1. English ivy — Hedera helix
The most familiar ivy worldwide. Five-lobed dark green leaves with pale veins on a climbing or trailing vine. Native to Europe and western Asia. Hundreds of cultivars with variegated, curled, or miniature leaves — Glacier (silver edge), Goldchild (yellow edge), Needlepoint (narrow leaves), Duck Foot (small three-lobed leaves).
Care signal indoors: Medium indirect light, keep evenly moist, cool rooms preferred. See /plant-care/english-ivy.
Outdoors: Hardy zones 5–11, considered invasive in much of the US Pacific Northwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast. Check local regulations before planting.
2. Algerian ivy — Hedera canariensis (also Hedera algeriensis)
Larger, glossier leaves than english ivy with red or burgundy stems. Less cold-hardy (zones 7–11) but more drought-tolerant once established. The variegated cultivar 'Gloire de Marengo' has bold cream and gray-green leaves and is a popular ground cover in California.
Care signal indoors: Medium to bright indirect light, water when top inch dries. Not in our care hub yet.
Outdoors: Common ground cover in California and the southern US. Less invasive than english ivy in most climates but still vigorous.
3. Persian ivy — Hedera colchica
The largest-leaved true ivy. Leaves can reach 6 inches across — heart-shaped, glossy, often unlobed. Less common in retail than english ivy. Variegated cultivars include 'Sulphur Heart' and 'Dentata Variegata.'
Care signal: Medium indirect light outdoors or bright indirect indoors. Hardy zones 6–9. Not in our care hub yet.
4. Irish ivy — Hedera hibernica
Often confused with english ivy. Larger leaves, faster growth, and a more vigorous trailing habit. Recently reclassified as a distinct species from english ivy.
Care signal: Same as english ivy — medium indirect light, moderate moisture. Not in our care hub yet.
Outdoor "ivies" (not true Hedera)
Three vines commonly called ivy that aren't in the Hedera genus at all. These are the ones you see climbing brick walls and brownstones in the eastern US.
5. Boston ivy — Parthenocissus tricuspidata
The famous "ivy league" wall covering — what actually grows on the brick of Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Three-lobed leaves that turn brilliant red and orange in fall. Deciduous (drops leaves in winter, unlike true ivy). Native to East Asia.
Outdoor care signal: Full sun to part shade, drought-tolerant once established, hardy zones 4–8. Not for indoor cultivation. Not in our care hub yet.
6. Virginia creeper — Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Native to eastern North America. Five-leafed compound foliage that turns red in fall. Climbs walls and trees with adhesive disks at the tips of tendrils. Often confused with poison ivy, but virginia creeper has five leaflets (poison ivy has three).
Outdoor care signal: Full sun to shade, very drought-tolerant, hardy zones 3–9. Not for indoor cultivation. Not in our care hub yet.
7. Japanese ivy
Loose name applied to several plants including Parthenocissus tricuspidata (boston ivy, same species) and sometimes Hedera rhombea (japanese hedera). Pay attention to the Latin name on the tag — boston ivy is by far the more common.
Care signal: Depends on actual species. See above.
Indoor "ivies" (not true Hedera)
The houseplants you see labeled "ivy" at garden centers — most of which are completely unrelated to Hedera.
8. Devils ivy — Epipremnum aureum
This is pothos. The same pothos that tops every "easiest houseplant" list. Often sold as "devils ivy" because of its near-indestructibility — the plant survives almost anything, including the underworld, apparently. Heart-shaped leaves on a trailing vine, often with cream or yellow variegation.
Care signal: Low to bright indirect light, water when soil dries. See pothos care and /plant-care/pothos, plus golden pothos and marble queen pothos.
9. Swedish ivy — Plectranthus verticillatus (also Plectranthus australis)
Round scalloped glossy leaves on a trailing vine. Pleasant minty scent when brushed (it is in the mint family). White or lavender flower spikes appear off and on. Pet-safe.
Care signal indoors: Bright indirect light, water when top inch dries. Not in our care hub yet.
10. German ivy — Delairea odorata (formerly Senecio mikanioides)
Bright green ivy-like leaves on long trailing stems. Tolerates cool rooms. Considered invasive in coastal California and parts of the southern US — do not plant outdoors there.
Care signal: Medium indirect light, water when top inch dries. Not in our care hub yet.
11. Grape ivy — Cissus rhombifolia (also Cissus alata)
Compound trefoil leaves (three leaflets) on a trailing or climbing vine. Looks more like a grapevine than ivy. Tolerant of low light and dry air.
Care signal: Medium indirect light, water when top inch dries. Not in our care hub yet.
12. Cape ivy — Senecio macroglossus
Looks remarkably like english ivy but with thicker, waxy, succulent leaves (it is related to string of pearls). Variegated cultivars are most common in retail. Sometimes sold as "natal ivy" or "wax ivy."
Care signal: Bright indirect light, water when soil dries. Not in our care hub yet.
How to tell true ivy from a pretender
Three quick checks separate true Hedera ivy from everything else.
Look at the leaf. True ivy leaves are simple (one piece, lobed) with a leathery feel and prominent pale veins. Boston ivy and virginia creeper have compound leaves (multiple leaflets) and a thinner feel. Pothos has thicker, waxier leaves with no lobes — just a heart shape.
Look at the stem. True ivy stems are woody on mature growth and produce aerial rootlets along the entire length for climbing. Pothos has herbaceous stems with aerial roots only at the leaf nodes. Boston ivy has tendrils with adhesive disks at the tips.
Look at the growth pattern. True ivy can grow either as a trailing vine (juvenile) or as a climbing wall covering with arborescent (shrub-like) flowering branches at the top of mature plants. Pothos always trails or climbs but never produces the shrub-like top growth. Boston ivy and virginia creeper drop leaves in winter; true ivy is evergreen.
If your "ivy" has glossy heart-shaped leaves with cream variegation and you bought it as a houseplant, you almost certainly have pothos, not ivy. See our identify houseplants guide for the full 4-method walkthrough.
How to choose the right ivy for your situation
The decision tree is shorter than for most plant categories. Indoor versus outdoor matters most.
For an indoor pot or hanging basket in good light, english ivy is the obvious choice if you want the classic ivy aesthetic. It needs cooler rooms (below 70°F at night) to thrive long-term, which is why so many people fail with it — most American homes run too warm in winter. If you want easy and visually similar, devils ivy (pothos) is the better answer. Swedish ivy is the pet-safe alternative.
For climbing a brick wall outdoors, boston ivy is the historic American answer (it is what grows on the brick of older universities and grand homes). Virginia creeper is the native North American alternative and supports more native wildlife. Both are deciduous, so the wall is bare for 5 months a year. English ivy stays evergreen but is invasive in many US regions — check before planting.
For ground cover in shaded outdoor areas, algerian ivy works in zones 7+ and is less aggressive than english ivy. In cooler zones, english ivy ground cover is hard to remove once established and is often regulated. Consider native alternatives — pachysandra or wild ginger — in regions where ivy is invasive.
For a colorful fall display outdoors, virginia creeper or boston ivy beats true ivy hands down. Both turn brilliant red and orange in October. True Hedera ivy stays the same dark green year-round.
See our broader types of houseplants guide for non-ivy alternatives and the low-light plants list if you are growing ivy in a dimmer room.
Common care across the category
Most ivies — true and pretender — share three needs. First, they all prefer cool to moderate temperatures (60–75°F) and suffer in hot, dry rooms. Indoor english ivy struggles above 75°F at night. Second, all of them like consistent moisture but well-drained soil — wet feet cause root rot fast. Third, they all benefit from regular pruning to keep growth dense rather than leggy.
Spider mites are the single most common pest on indoor ivy and pothos — fine webbing on the underside of leaves, yellow speckling on the upper surface. Treat with a strong water spray, neem oil, or insecticidal soap at the first sign. See our spider mites treatment guide for the full protocol.
Try Growli: Snap a photo with Growli — get instant ID and a care plan in 60 seconds.
Related articles
- Types of houseplants — 30+ varieties — the broader category
- Pothos care — the complete guide — the most-sold "ivy" in retail
- How to propagate pothos — step-by-step — easy ivy substitutes
- Identify a houseplant — 4 methods — for ivy vs pothos confusion
- Pet-safe houseplants — 20 non-toxic plants — alternatives to ivy for pet households
- Low-light plants — 12 tested for dim rooms — ivy substitutes for darker rooms
Reviewed and updated by the Growli editorial team. For questions about anything here, open Growli and ask — or email hello@getgrowli.app.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common type of ivy?
English ivy (Hedera helix) is by far the most common true ivy worldwide, both indoors as a houseplant and outdoors as a wall covering or ground cover. In US garden centers, the most common plant labeled 'ivy' is actually devils ivy (pothos, Epipremnum aureum) — which is unrelated to true ivy but is sold as 'ivy' for marketing reasons.
What is the difference between english ivy and pothos?
English ivy has lobed leaves with prominent pale veins and a leathery feel; pothos has unlobed heart-shaped leaves that are thicker and waxier, often with cream or yellow variegation. English ivy needs cool rooms and consistent moisture; pothos tolerates warm rooms and infrequent watering. Pothos is dramatically easier to grow indoors.
Is english ivy invasive?
Yes, in many parts of the US. English ivy is on the invasive species list in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington), Mid-Atlantic (Virginia, Maryland), and Southeast (Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgia). It smothers native trees and ground cover. Check your state's invasive species regulations before planting outdoors. Indoor cultivation is fine everywhere.
What is the best ivy for indoors?
For the true-ivy look, english ivy is the classic choice — but it needs cool rooms (below 70°F at night) and consistent moisture. For an easier substitute that looks similar, devils ivy (pothos) is the most forgiving houseplant in retail. Swedish ivy is the pet-safe option. Cape ivy looks remarkably like english ivy but tolerates warmer rooms thanks to its waxier leaves.
What kind of ivy grows on brick walls?
Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) is what grows on the brick of Harvard, Yale, and other 'Ivy League' campuses — despite the name, it is not a true ivy. Virginia creeper is the native North American alternative. English ivy also climbs brick but is invasive in many US regions and damages mortar more than boston ivy or virginia creeper.
Is ivy safe for cats and dogs?
Most true ivies are mildly toxic if chewed — english ivy, algerian ivy, and persian ivy all contain saponins that cause vomiting and drooling in cats and dogs. Swedish ivy is non-toxic (it is in the mint family, not Hedera). Pothos (devils ivy) is toxic to pets if chewed. See our [pet-safe houseplants guide](/blog/pet-safe-houseplants) for safer trailing plant alternatives.
Why are my ivy leaves turning yellow?
Three usual causes. Overwatering is the most common — ivy hates wet feet. Let the top inch of soil dry before watering. Heat stress is second — rooms above 75°F at night cause leaf drop and yellowing on english ivy. Spider mites are third — check the leaf undersides for fine webbing. See [yellow plant leaves](/blog/yellow-plant-leaves) for the full diagnostic walkthrough.
How do I make my ivy fuller and bushier?
Prune the tips of every vine regularly — ivy responds well to pinching. New growth emerges from the node just below where you cut. Pinch back every 2–3 weeks during the growing season for a bushy plant. Provide bright indirect light; dim conditions cause leggy stretched growth. Repot every 2 years to refresh the soil.