Why You Should NEVER Plant English Ivy

It'll take over your garden—and not in a good way!

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

English ivy (Hedera helix) is considered an invasive plant in much of the U.S. that can quickly spread and overwhelm other plants in a garden. It can also damage trees and structures like brick and masonry walls. Experts recommend avoiding planting English ivy and instead considering alternative vines like sweet potato vine, climbing hydrangea, Virginia creeper, or Boston ivy.

Why it matters

English ivy is an aggressive grower that can smother and suffocate other plants, block sunlight, and compete for nutrients and resources. It can also cause structural damage to trees and buildings over time. As an invasive species, it can spread rapidly beyond its original planting area, making it difficult to control.

The details

English ivy is a fast-growing, woody vine that can reach up to 100 feet long. Its stems root wherever they touch the soil, and the small greenish-white flowers produce fruits that birds eat, dispersing the seeds far and wide. The plant's thick, bark-covered vines can become heavy over time, putting stress on trees and masonry. Its rootlets can also break through mortar and introduce moisture, causing extensive damage.

  • English ivy is considered invasive in much of the U.S., from Canada to the southeast.

The players

Colin Kirk

The Marjorie G. Rosen Manager of Outdoor Gardens at the New York Botanical Garden.

Kat Aul Cervoni

Landscape designer, founder and principal of Staghorn NYC and Cultivation by Kat.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“In much of the U.S., this plant is considered invasive. It grows everywhere from Canada to the southeast in dense shade to sun and in every type of soil.”

— Colin Kirk, The Marjorie G. Rosen Manager of Outdoor Gardens at the New York Botanical Garden

“It can quickly overwhelm a space and smother or suffocate existing plants. It's particularly damaging to trees, which it can overtake, as it blocks sunlight and is a nutrient and resource hog.”

— Kat Aul Cervoni, Landscape designer, founder and principal of Staghorn NYC and Cultivation by Kat

The takeaway

Unless you have the time and resources to constantly manage English ivy, it's best to avoid planting it in your garden. This aggressive vine can quickly take over, damage trees and structures, and spread beyond its original planting area. Consider alternative vines that are less invasive and easier to control.