7 Best English Ivy (Hedera Helix) Varieties for Your Perfect Air Purifying Indoor Jungle

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When you're ready to transform your living space into a lush paradise, English Ivy (Hedera Helix) offers an ideal starting point. You'll find this versatile vine adds both classic charm and air-purifying benefits to any room. While its reputation as an easy-care plant is well-deserved, choosing the right variety can make the difference between a thriving indoor jungle and a mediocre display. Let's explore seven exceptional Hedera Helix varieties that'll elevate your plant collection.

Greenwood Nursery English Ivy Ground Cover Plants (25 Bare Roots)

english ivy ground cover

Looking to transform your indoor space into a lush jungle? Greenwood Nursery's English Ivy bundle of 25 bare roots offers an excellent starting point. This fast-growing evergreen can reach heights of 6-10 feet, making it perfect for creating dramatic vertical displays.

You'll receive carefully packaged bare roots wrapped in hydrating gel and sealed for freshness. Plant them 18 inches apart in moist, clay soil, and provide moderate watering. They'll thrive in both full and partial sun conditions. With a 3.7-star rating from over 1,500 customers, you can trust their proven track record. Just remember to contact Greenwood within 14 days if any issues arise.

Best For: Homeowners and gardeners looking to establish low-maintenance ground cover or vertical greenery, particularly those in USDA zones 3-9 with partially shaded areas that need coverage.

Pros:

  • Fast-growing and versatile, capable of covering large areas with just 25 bare roots spanning up to 225 square feet
  • Extremely hardy plant that thrives in various light conditions and soil types
  • Well-protected shipping with hydrating gel and careful packaging ensures healthy arrival

Cons:

  • May require regular maintenance to prevent aggressive spreading and overtaking other plants
  • Some customers report inconsistent survival rates among the bare roots
  • 14-day guarantee period is relatively short compared to other nursery warranties

Golden English Ivy Houseplant (Hedera Helix Kolibri)

Plant enthusiasts seeking a vibrant indoor vine will find the Golden English Ivy (Hedera Helix Kolibri) to be a striking addition to their collection. This air-purifying plant thrives in moderate, indirect sunlight and requires well-drained soil with watering every 2-4 days.

You'll appreciate its versatility as both a decorative element and air purifier in your home or office. While it's ranked #18 in vine plants, customer experiences vary. For successful growth, verify you're in USDA zones 5-10 and maintain proper moisture levels. If you're ordering during cold weather (below 40°F), consider adding a heat pack to protect your plant during shipping.

Best For: Indoor plant enthusiasts looking for an attractive, low-maintenance vine that can purify air and add decorative appeal to homes or offices, particularly in spaces with moderate indirect light.

Pros:

  • Versatile decorative plant that can be used in hanging baskets or as climbing vine
  • Natural air purifier that helps remove common household toxins
  • Adaptable to various indoor environments with moderate light conditions

Cons:

  • Mixed customer reviews suggesting inconsistent plant health upon arrival
  • Requires regular monitoring of soil moisture (every 2-4 days)
  • May need special shipping considerations in cold weather, adding to cost

English Ivy Gold Child Live Houseplant (Indoor/Outdoor Plant)

gold child english ivy

The versatile Gold Child English Ivy offers both indoor and outdoor enthusiasts a striking addition to their plant collection, with its distinctive white-green variegated leaves making it perfect for those seeking visual interest in shaded spaces.

You'll find this evergreen vine thrives in bright indirect light or shade, making it adaptable to various environments. It's an excellent air purifier and can transform walls, trellises, or fences with its climbing ability. For best results, plant it in any organic soil with good drainage, and let the soil dry between waterings. While some customers note smaller initial sizes, the plant's quality and careful packaging from California guarantee it'll establish well in your space.

Best For: Home gardeners and plant enthusiasts looking for a low-maintenance, versatile vine that can beautify both indoor and outdoor spaces while providing air-purifying benefits.

Pros:

  • Highly adaptable plant that thrives in various light conditions, from bright indirect light to shade
  • Excellent for creating visual interest through climbing and trailing, perfect for walls, trellises, and hanging baskets
  • Easy care requirements with moderate watering needs and compatibility with any organic soil type

Cons:

  • Initial plant size may be smaller than some customers expect
  • Can experience stress during shipping and require recovery time
  • Requires careful attention to watering as it's sensitive to overwatering and poor drainage

Naturalma Common Ivy (Hedera Helix) Liquid Extract Supplement

Natural remedies enthusiasts will find Naturalma's Common Ivy extract a valuable addition to their wellness routine. This alcohol-free tincture delivers 2.3g of concentrated ivy leaf extract per 40-drop serving, making it an efficient respiratory support supplement.

You'll appreciate the product's clean composition – it's vegan, sugar-free, and sweetened only with natural vegetable glycerin. The liquid extract works as an expectorant and mucolytic agent, helping you clear mucus and ease respiratory discomfort. With 50 doses per bottle and safe for all family members, including children and nursing mothers, this Italian-made supplement offers both quality and value.

Best For: Natural health enthusiasts seeking an alcohol-free, family-safe respiratory supplement to support mucus clearance and bronchial health.

Pros:

  • Pure and clean formula with no artificial ingredients, alcohol, or sugar
  • Versatile usage – can be taken directly or mixed with water
  • Safe for the whole family, including children and nursing mothers

Cons:

  • Relatively high cost per bottle compared to conventional cough medicines
  • Some users may find the glycerin-based taste too sweet
  • Requires consistent dosing of 40 drops, which can be inconvenient to measure

Thorsens Live English Ivy Plant in 4" Pot

live english ivy plant

Indoor gardeners seeking a reliable, air-purifying vine will appreciate Thorsens Live English Ivy Plant in its convenient 4-inch pot. This GMO-free Hedera helix stands approximately 8 inches tall and thrives in bright indirect sunlight or partial shade.

You'll receive your plant directly from the greenhouse in a grower's pot with drainage holes. While the soil may shift during shipping, most customers report their ivy arrives healthy and lush. Keep the soil consistently moist with moderate watering, and you'll enjoy this classic vine's air-purifying benefits. With a 4.2-star rating and proven summer blooming potential, this hardy Zone 3 plant makes an excellent choice for your indoor jungle.

Best For: Indoor plant enthusiasts looking for a low-maintenance, air-purifying vine that can thrive in varying light conditions and add classic greenery to their home decor.

Pros:

  • Excellent air-purifying qualities make it beneficial for indoor air quality
  • Versatile plant that adapts well to different light conditions
  • Ships directly from greenhouse with good survival rate and customer service support

Cons:

  • Soil may shift during shipping, requiring immediate attention upon arrival
  • Some customers report appearance variations from advertised images
  • Requires consistent moisture monitoring and maintenance to thrive

Hedera Helix Seeds English Ivy Vine 50 Seeds

Growing English Ivy from Hedera Helix seeds can be a challenging endeavor, as many gardeners have discovered with this particular 50-seed package. Despite following various germination methods, including cold stratification for 30-60 days, customers report consistent failures with these seeds.

While the product promises an evergreen vine that'll thrive in partial to full shade and adapt to various surfaces, numerous buyers have experienced zero germination success. You'll find better success with alternative sellers, as this product's poor seed quality and lack of customer service have led to widespread disappointment. If you're determined to grow English Ivy, consider starting with established plants rather than these unreliable seeds.

Best For: Not recommended for any gardeners due to consistently poor germination rates and unreliable product quality.

Pros:

  • Low initial cost compared to buying established plants
  • Seeds can be stored for future planting attempts
  • Instructions include basic growing requirements for English Ivy

Cons:

  • Extremely poor germination rates reported by multiple customers
  • Lack of customer service support or refund options
  • Unclear if seeds are viable even with proper cold stratification techniques

English Ivy Trio – 3 Live Indoor Houseplants

live indoor ivy plants

Three stunning varieties of English ivy come together in this convenient starter pack, perfect for plant enthusiasts looking to diversify their indoor jungle. You'll receive variegated, golden, and green Hedera helix varieties in 3-inch pots, ready to create lush displays as ground cover or climbing vines.

These adaptable plants thrive in partial to full shade, making them ideal for challenging spots where other plants struggle. While they're relatively low-maintenance, you'll need to monitor soil moisture carefully – let it dry between waterings to prevent root issues. Before adding them to your collection, inspect for pests and consider quarantining to protect your existing plants.

Best For: Home gardeners and plant enthusiasts looking to add versatile, shade-tolerant greenery to their indoor spaces with minimal maintenance requirements.

Pros:

  • Includes three attractive varieties (variegated, golden, and green) in one package
  • Highly adaptable to low-light conditions where other plants struggle
  • Versatile growing habit – can be used as ground cover or climbing vine

Cons:

  • Mixed customer experiences with plant health upon arrival
  • Potential for pest issues, particularly spider mites
  • Requires careful moisture management to prevent root problems

Factors to Consider When Choosing English Ivy (Hedera Helix)

choosing english ivy factors

Before selecting your ideal English Ivy variety, you'll need to assess whether you're growing indoors or outdoors, as this impacts light requirements, soil conditions, and moisture needs. Your space and climate zone will determine which variety thrives best, with indoor ivies generally preferring bright indirect light and well-draining potting mix. You'll also want to evaluate the plant's growth rate and mature size, as some varieties spread quickly and require regular pruning to maintain their shape.

Indoor Vs Outdoor Growth

While English ivy can flourish in both indoor and outdoor settings, each environment presents unique considerations that'll influence your plant's success. Outdoors, your ivy can reach impressive heights of 6-10 feet, making it perfect for ground cover, but you'll need to space plants 18 inches apart to support healthy growth.

Indoor cultivation requires different care – your ivy will thrive best with bright indirect light and consistent watering every 2-4 days in well-drained potting soil. Though outdoor ivy shows remarkable hardiness in USDA zones 3-9, indoor varieties prefer the slightly warmer conditions of zones 5-10. You'll find that outdoor ivy grows more aggressively and clings naturally to structures, while indoor specimens can be more easily controlled and maintained at your desired size through regular pruning.

Light and Soil Requirements

Successful English ivy cultivation hinges on providing the right light and soil conditions for your chosen variety. You'll find that this adaptable plant thrives in various light settings, from bright, sunny spots to partially shaded areas, making it perfect for different rooms in your home.

For soil composition, you'll need well-draining, moist soil that won't leave your ivy's roots sitting in water. While English ivy isn't picky about pH levels, it grows best in rich, acidic, loamy soil. When watering, let the soil dry slightly between sessions to prevent root rot. It's crucial to monitor moisture levels regularly, as overwatering can quickly damage the plant. If you're growing in clay-heavy soil, provide proper drainage to maintain ideal growing conditions.

Watering and Moisture Needs

Understanding your English ivy's watering needs is essential for maintaining its health and preventing common moisture-related problems. You'll want to verify the soil dries to the touch between waterings, typically every 2-4 days depending on your environment and potting mix.

Watch for signs that it's time to water by checking the soil's moisture level regularly. While English ivy prefers slightly dry conditions, you don't want to let it completely dry out. Be particularly careful not to overwater, as standing water can quickly lead to root rot. During humid periods or cooler weather, you'll need to adjust your watering schedule accordingly. If you're growing your ivy in clay soil, it'll require less frequent watering due to the soil's natural moisture retention properties.

Size and Growth Rate

Before selecting an English ivy variety for your indoor space, you'll need to contemplate its mature size and growth rate. English ivy can reach heights of 6 to 10 feet when provided with proper support structures, making it essential to plan your space accordingly.

You'll find that English ivy grows quickly, which is perfect if you're looking to create lush coverage in a shorter time frame. When planning your indoor jungle, consider that these plants need about 18 inches of spacing to thrive and spread naturally. The evergreen nature of English ivy means you'll enjoy continuous foliage throughout the year, regardless of the season. While it's adaptable to various conditions (growing well in zones 3-9 outdoors), you can successfully grow it indoors with the right care and space allocation.

Climate Zone Compatibility

Climate adaptability ranks among the top reasons English ivy has become a favorite indoor plant. You'll find this versatile vine thrives across USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 10, making it an excellent choice regardless of your location.

Whether you're living in a cooler northern climate or a warmer southern region, your English ivy can adapt to your home's conditions. It's particularly forgiving when it comes to temperature fluctuations, and you'll appreciate its resilience to various environmental stresses. When selecting your indoor spot, you can place it in either bright or shaded areas, though growth patterns may differ. Just confirm you're providing well-draining soil and moderate moisture levels. The plant's natural tolerance to drought and salt further enhances its adaptability as an indoor companion.

Plant Form Options

When selecting English ivy for your indoor jungle, you'll encounter three distinct growth forms that dramatically influence both appearance and functionality. Groundcover varieties spread horizontally, reaching heights of about 8 inches, making them perfect for creating lush carpets beneath larger plants or cascading over pot edges.

If you're looking to add vertical interest, climbing varieties can transform walls and support structures into living tapestries, potentially growing up to 80 feet with proper support. For contained spaces, houseplant forms like Golden English Ivy offer manageable growth in pots while thriving in moderate indirect light.

Each form comes in various styles, including Variegated, Golden, and Green varieties, letting you mix and match leaf patterns and colors to create your desired aesthetic while maintaining similar care requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can English Ivy Survive in Bathrooms With High Humidity Levels?

Yes, your English Ivy will thrive in a humid bathroom environment. It's actually perfect for these spaces since the plant loves moisture in the air. You'll want to guarantee it still gets adequate indirect light.

How Do I Prevent English Ivy From Becoming Invasive Outdoors?

Plant your English ivy in containers, trim it regularly, and remove any wandering vines. You'll need to monitor growth and pull out volunteer plants. Don't let it climb trees or spread beyond designated areas.

Why Are My English Ivy's Leaves Turning Brown at the Edges?

Your English ivy's browning leaf edges likely indicate improper watering, low humidity, or salt buildup. You're either underwatering, overwatering, or need to mist more often. Check your soil moisture and humidity levels.

Is English Ivy Poisonous to Cats and Dogs if Ingested?

Yes, English ivy is toxic to both cats and dogs. If your pet ingests it, they'll experience symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, and abdominal pain. You should keep this plant out of their reach.

How Often Should I Prune English Ivy to Maintain Its Shape?

You should prune your English ivy every 2-3 months during growing season to maintain its shape. Cut back overgrown vines and trim yellow or dead leaves whenever you notice them to keep it healthy.

In Summary

You'll find English Ivy varieties to match any indoor space, from the classic Green Ivy to the striking Golden and Gold Child cultivars. Whether you're looking for bare roots, established plants, or seeds, there's an option that fits your needs. Consider your space, light conditions, and maintenance preferences when selecting your ivy. With proper care, these versatile plants will transform your home into the indoor jungle you've envisioned.

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