Indoor Plants
Outdoor Plants
Hedera helix
An evergreen climber with glossy, lobed leaves that covers walls and fences or spreads as a groundcover in shady spots.
- Light: Shade or morning sun
- Water: Drought resistant once established
- Temperature: Tolerates a wide range
Description
English ivy is a classic evergreen climber with glossy, lobed leaves. It clings to walls with small aerial roots or spreads across the ground as a dense green carpet, and it is one of the few climbers that thrives in shade.
Why English ivy?
- Thrives in part shade and even deep shade.
- Green all year round.
- Climbs walls or works as a groundcover.
- Copes with alkaline soil and is drought resistant once established.
Where to plant it
North- or east-facing walls, shaded courtyards, under trees as a groundcover and in hanging pots. Its roots cling to surfaces and can damage paint, loose mortar and gutters, so use a trellis or mesh on painted walls. Keep it off trees and shrubs – it can smother them.
Care in the Saudi climate
- Light: shade or morning sun; strong midday sun in a Saudi summer can scorch the leaves.
- Water: regular watering until established, then drought resistant; water more in heatwaves.
- Soil: adapts to most soils, including alkaline, as long as they drain well.
- Pruning: trim regularly to keep it within bounds and away from windows and gutters.
- Safety: leaves and berries are toxic, and the sap can irritate skin.
Sizes
- 15–20 cm: Young plant. For hanging pots or starting a wall.
Three things to get right.
Lighting
Thrives in part to deep shade; in a Saudi summer keep it out of midday sun.
Watering
Water regularly until established; after that it needs less, with extra water in heatwaves.
Temperature & humidity
Tolerates a wide range of temperatures, but in Jeddah and Riyadh heat it prefers shade.
More climber plants.Pairs well with
Its aerial roots can damage paint, loose mortar and gutters. On painted walls, grow it on mesh or a trellis.
It tolerates sun, but in a Saudi summer we recommend shade or morning sun only so the leaves don't scorch.
Yes – it spreads into a dense green carpet, especially under trees and in shade. Keep it off the tree trunks.
No. Its leaves and berries are toxic if eaten, and the ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats, dogs and horses.
Trim the tips regularly and keep it away from windows, gutters and trees.