Plant care guide

English Ivy Care: Grow It Indoors Without the Headaches

English ivy makes a lovely trailing houseplant when it gets cool temperatures, bright light and even moisture.

Growing it outside? It spreads fast and is invasive in parts of the US, so see the guides on controlling it.

  • 21free guides
  • 6topics
  • Nov 2026last updated

New to English ivy? Start here

Read these first. They cover the basics that solve most problems.

  1. How Much Water Does English Ivy Need? A Seasonal Watering GuideHow much and how often to water.
  2. What Type of Soil for Indoor English IvyThe right soil and feeding.
  3. How Do You Transplant English Ivy?When and how to move it to a new pot.
  4. How To Propagate English Ivy In WaterGrow new plants for free.
  5. Why Your English Ivy Is Dying [6 Reasons & What You Can Do About It]Rescue a struggling plant.

Care basics: water, light and soil3

How much to water, how much light, which soil and when to feed.

Propagation, repotting and pruning6

Make new plants, move to a bigger pot, prune and shape.

Leaf problems and fixes8

Yellow, brown, curling or drooping leaves: what each sign means and the fix.

Pests and how to get rid of them1

Spot the bug, then get rid of it without hurting the plant.

Pets and people: safety1

What happens if a cat, dog or child chews it, and what to do.

Varieties, comparisons and facts2

Types, look-alikes, growth rates and side-by-side comparisons.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I water English ivy?

Water when the top inch of soil is dry and keep it evenly moist in spring and summer. Let it dry a little more between waterings in winter.

Why is my English ivy turning brown?

Brown, crispy leaves usually mean dry air, underwatering or too much direct sun. Warm, dry rooms also invite spider mites, a common ivy pest.

Is English ivy toxic to pets?

Yes. English ivy contains saponins that can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, drooling and diarrhea in cats and dogs.