20 Types Of Ivy Plants That You Can Grow

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
• Height: 20 to 80 feet
• Sun Exposure: Partial sun to full shade

English ivy, also known as hedera helix, is one of the most common ivy plant types. It is an evergreen climbing vine primarily grown for its glossy and vibrant green leaves, even though it bears flowers. 

The best time to grow this ivy is in spring and in containers or baskets where its trailing vines can hang down. It does not require much water. In fact, they should be kept slightly on the dry side, so ensure your soil is dry to the touch before watering your ivy plants.

• USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 9
• Height: up to 60 feet
• Sun Exposure: Partial sun to full

Like the English ivy, the Azores is an evergreen climbing vine that blooms in late autumn. It has shiny dark green 3 to 5-lobed leaves and bears small, yellow-green flowers and black, berry-like fruits, which are toxic for humans.

The key requirements in growing Azores ivy are a well-draining soil mix and partial to full shade. You should only water once every two weeks, ensuring the soil is slightly dry to the touch. Azores cannot survive in direct sunlight as the heat can scorch the leaves. It thrives in partial sun. 

• USDA Growing Zones: 7 to 11
• Height: 20 to 40 feet
• Sun Exposure: Partial sun to partial shade

Sometimes, our garden has troublesome areas that need covering or do not allow plants to grow easily. In such cases, planting Algerian ivy might help. Algerian ivy grows in slopes and areas where grass does not. It can also help cover up by spreading horizontally. 

Algerian cannot survive in full as it can dry out the plant. These plants can survive in any soil condition, from clay, sandy, and loam to chalky and acidic. It needs regular watering in hot, dry climates. 

• USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 12
• Height: 2 feet (longer in its native area)
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

A German is a perfect indoor ivy plant. It has a trailing habit, making it an excellent draping plant to pair with other houseplants with more upright growth, like snake plants or philodendrons.

Another reason for growing this indoors is that it spreads invasively, and if left unchecked, it might take over your whole garden or yard. 

A German ivy is best grown from stem cuttings because of the lack of viable seeds. Once you get the cuttings, plant them in rich potting soil and give liquid fertilizer monthly for vigorous growth and vibrant color.

• USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 9
• Height: 30 feet
• Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade

Of all the types of ivy plants to exist, the Persian is the most distinct. It has unique large, leathery, glossy heart-shaped leaves ranging from dark green to variegated forms. The leaves are a whopping 3 to 7 inches wide and up to 10 inches long.

This species of ivy plant thrives in moisture-rich environments. It prefers consistent soil moisture without being waterlogged but is drought-tolerant once established. It does not require much feeding except when it is growing. You should fertilize bi-monthly during growth and reduce frequency once matured.

• USDA Growing Zones: 6-8
• Height: 20-30 feet
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Russian Ivy is a climbing ivy vine that grows exceptionally fast and is aptly known as "mile-a-minute." It can become an invasive nuisance. Therefore, you should plant with caution. They can grow enormous as well, so you should consider the size of your garden before planting. 

These plants should ideally be planted in autumn or early spring through cuttings or seeds. They need water regularly, but the soil should be dry to touch between waterings. As for the soil conditions, Russian vines are mostly fuss-free.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 7
• Height: 20-30 feet
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Himalayan ivy, also known as Nepali ivy, is native to the Himalayas, including Nepal, Bhutan, India, and parts of southeastern Asia.

People often confuse Himalayan ivy with English ivy because they look similar. However, the tip of the Himalayan ivy leaves are more elongated and curlier than English ivy.

The leaves will become a vibrant green shade when the soil is consistently damp. You should water it every two weeks and not expose it to direct sunlight during the hot summer months.

• USDA Growing Zones: 7 to 11
• Height: 8–15 ft. tall, 3–6 ft. wide
• Sun Exposure: Partial sun to  shade

Creeping fig is one of the popular vining ivy types, especially grown indoors in terrariums or pots. The reason for its popularity is the ease of raising and caring for this vine. 

It can grow under most light conditions, ranging from partial to full sunlight, and a myriad of soil conditions as long as it is well-draining. 

Other than soil and light, creeping fig requires watering once a week. If the plant's leaves are browning or falling off, you are probably overwatering it.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
• Height: 30 to 50 feet
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial sun

If you are looking for a plant that grows on any surface and is easy to care for and maintain, the Boston ivy is ideal. However, it can damage wood siding, gutters, and roofing if you let it grow wildly. Therefore, you might want to consider how you want to use this plant carefully. 

The leaves of this vine are a reddish color that is green in summer before turning red in fall. For maximum fall color, these plants need full sun. While it grows, it needs to be watered deeply often, but once established, you can water it once a week.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 10
• Height: 30 to 50 feet
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Another variation of the reddish-orange to burgundy foliage is the Virginia creeper. It is closely related to the Boston ivy and almost looks similar thanks to the fall color, but the Boston version has 3-lobed leaves while the creeper leaves have five "fingers."

Like the Boston ivy, it needs full sun to achieve its most vibrant autumn color. You can grow it in any location but do not grow it on the wall as it will be permanent. They have sticky tendrils that are difficult to remove.

• USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
• Height: 32 feet
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

The Irish ivy is another one of the many types of ivy vines. It is a trailing evergreen vine that can be trained to grow on walls, trellises, and other structures. This ivy vine has unique leaves that are a dark green color at maturity, but while growing, they are a mottled dark green mottling with a creamy white background.

This plant does not need much to grow. Adequate water and indirect light satisfy its basic needs but ensure it does not spread invasively. Therefore, you should prune it regularly.

• USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
• Height: 10 feet at maturity
• Sun Exposure: full sun to shade, though partial shade is recommended in hot climates

Goldchild ivy is an evergreen climber with pale gold and yellow variegated leaves with gold edges. The leaves are a vibrant gray-green color.

However, they need full sun exposure for intense colors. It does not grow widely or take over your garden space, making it one of the perfect indoor ivy plants.

This plant thrives in fertile, moist, and well-drained soil. They do tolerate a range of soil conditions, but for luscious foliage, soil should be evenly moist.

• USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 10
• Height: 12 inches and tall and 3 feet wide
• Sun Exposure: Partial to full sun

Needlepoint is a small climbing ivy vine mostly grown for ornamental purposes in hanging baskets and indoor gardening. It has small, glossy,  dark-green leaves with 3 to 5 sharply pointed lobes reminiscent of a needle, hence the name. 

These needle-like leaves grow closely together in small clumps along the stem. They have a relatively finer texture that sets them apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage. The needlepoint ivy grows best in partial to full shade and moist, fertile, and well-draining soil.

• USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 10
• Height: 12 inches tall and 3 feet wide
• Sun Exposure: indirect light for 6-8 hours daily

Kolibri ivy is a variegated variety of English ivy (Hedera helix). It has triangular, grayish-green leaves with creamy-white markings that add interest to any space. It is typically grown indoors because of its dainty yet strong trailing vines that look beautiful in baskets or containers.

This ivy plant prefers consistent moisture but is resilient enough to withstand short periods of drought. It should be watered twice a week to maintain its lush foliage. It grows best in cool temperatures between 10 to 27℃, preferably at around 18℃.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 10
• Height: 4 to 6 inches long, 3 to 20 feet wide 
• Sun Exposure: Indirect, moderate sunlight

Asterisk ivy is another variety of the English ivy. It has distinct, deeply lobed, light green leaves shaped like stars. Mature plants produce yellow-green flower clusters that later become toxic blackberries. Any contact with the plant sap can cause skin irritation. 

Like most ivy plants, the asterisk ivy needs a generous soak that needs to be dried out slightly before watering again. You should, therefore, water your plants once a week in the spring and summer and once every two weeks in the winter.

• USDA Growing Zones: 7 to 10
• Height: 3 to 5 feet
• Sun Exposure: Partial shade

Tree ivy, or bush ivy, is a hybrid of Japanese aralia and English ivy. This plant has large, glossy, dark-green five-fingered lobed leaves and has a vine-like growth habit.

This evergreen perennial needs indirect light and is partial to loamy or sandy soil that is slightly damp and with adequate drainage. Do not grow the plant in an area where the temperature is too hot or overwater it, as the leaves will drop. 

Additionally, you should prune this frequently. These plants grow wildly and left unchecked, their growth will go out of control. Pinch off new growth to prevent the roots from spreading.

• USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11
• Height: 12 to 18 inches
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

There are many different types of ivy, and the most beautiful of them all is perhaps the geranium ivy. They have trailing cascading stems better suited for hanging in baskets and containers. 

It has large, vibrant, lobed leaves with spherical flowers in shades of red, pink, white, burgundy, lavender, and deep purple-black. 

Unlike most ivy plants, this ivy plant type requires frequent watering, but do not overdo it, as soggy soil conditions can cause diseases. Also, ensure the soil is well-draining.

• USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11
• Height: 2 to 3 feet
• Sun Exposure: Partial shade

Swedish ivy, also known as Swedish begonia and creeping charlie, is a popular houseplant. It is favored for its trailing habits and is often displayed on porches and patios in hanging baskets. 

These plants have glossy leaves with scalloped edges and bear mauve to white tubular flowers from spring to summer. This plant survives in any condition, making it a perfect beginner project for novice gardeners. 

They need water once a week, and the soil should be dried out slightly between waterings. Good drainage is necessary as waterlogged soil can cause diseases.

• USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 12
• Height: 20 to 40 feet
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Devil’s ivy, better known as pothos, is another ivy type mostly grown indoors. It has heart-shaped vibrant leaves with white-yellow blotches. It is one of these plants to grow because they are almost impossible to kill, hence the name. The leaves stay a vibrant green even in the dark. 

You plant this ivy in a standard houseplant potting or well-draining aroid mix. It thrives in bright but indirect sunlight and might need afternoon shade in hotter climates.

• USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 12
• Height: 6 to 10 feet
• Sun Exposure: Partial shade

Grape ivy is not a true ivy, meaning it does not belong to the Hedera family. It belongs to the grape or Vitaceae family, but it resembles most ornamental vines with climbing characteristics. Therefore, it is grown and considered an ivy plant. 

This plant does not produce grapes and gets its name from its leaves. It has dark green, glossy, three-lobed leaves reminiscent of grape leaves. It thrives in bright, indirect light and well-draining potting soil that is moist. You can add peat to ensure the soil stays moist consistently.