English Ivy
Hedera helix
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kriti, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine
kallerna
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Araliaceae
- Genus:
- Hedera
- Species:
- Hedera helix
- USDA Symbol:
- HEHE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Vine
- Height:
- 2000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- greenish-yellow
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★★ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Grapeleaf skeletonizer (Harrisina americana), Lesser grapevine looper (Eulithis diversilineata), Puss caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis), Sabulodes caberata, Udea profundalis
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Thrives in shaded woodland areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification; germination can be slow and erratic.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)