Any type of ivy is a great plant to grow just about any place if you’re seeking low-maintenance different types of ivy plants for indoor and outdoor gardens.
This collection of lush, leafy plants will adorn the inside corners of your space and your external walls and fences.
Today, ivy refers to a vast collection of climbing plants, some invasive species.
Whether you’re a hobby botanist or a regular gardener, you must know the distinctions between numerous ivy plants since not all are true.
So that you may eventually choose which species is ideal for embellishing your garden, we will now describe the different types of ivy plants for indoor and outdoor gardens.
1. Algerian Ivy
The Algerian ivy, a native of the Canary Islands and North Africa, is a plant that can only thrive in warm temperatures.
This plant has triangular or heart-shaped dark green leaves. Certain types of Algerian ivy have borders that are creamy white with green splotches.
The leaves are typically 4 to 6 inches in size. You must plant this variety of ivy in an area with bright, indirect sunlight since it thrives outside.
Additionally, the plant needs rich, uniformly moistened soil that is well-drained for it to grow effectively.
This is among the best different types of ivy plants for indoor and outdoor gardens that can climb well, so they’ll naturally cover your walls and living fences. You must routinely trim the plant to control its size and growth.
2. Golden Curl Ivy
Golden Curl ivy is among the best different types of ivy plants for indoor and outdoor gardens with curly-edged leaves. This particular variety has distinct lobes and almost pentagonal-shaped leaves with brightly colored, almost lemon-yellow margins and dark green spots in the middle.
This type is often used as an indoor plant because of its striking color and is also planted in gardens to offer extra color and excellent foliage.
Aside from them, golden ivy makes a beautiful wall or background greenery to create a colorful and artistic ivy appearance. Golden ivy may reach a height of 40 feet and needs either full or partial shelter from the sun to thrive.
3. Anne Marie Ivy
Another type of English ivy is called Anne Marie ivy, and it has modest gaps between its lobes, giving it a smooth look noted for its traditional and gentle aesthetic. Its leaves are a shade of green that ranges from forest to hunter, with cream borders and fine light-colored veins.
As they develop, their color changes based on how much sunshine they get. Their color lightens when they are exposed to more sunshine. Anne Marie ivy has dense leaves, and its color gives indoor and outdoor displays more ornamental texture and movement.
This is among the amazing different types of ivy plants for indoor and outdoor gardens with a maximum height and spread of 4 feet and growing best in partial, complete shade, or full sunshine.
4. Canarian Ivy
Canarian ivy and English ivy may have striking visual similarities and comparable effects. It has thick foliage of a deep green shade, instantly creating the impression of walking through a temperate forest as you stroll through your garden.
It may lead your visitors to mistakenly believe that there is a folly partially concealed by the lush flora of this plant. The lobes are very vaguely defined, and the leaf’s shape changes to a wavy line. Despite these significant variations, English ivy establishes itself more quickly and develops faster.
So if you want to have that “old garden look” but you don’t have time to wait for it, Canarian Ivy may be the one to do the job for you. The ‘Variegata variety features leave that green and white if you want added excitement.
5. Swedish Ivy
The Swedish Ivy is one of the best different types of Ivy plants for indoor and outdoor gardens. It is suitable for anybody living in hardiness zones 10 and 11. However, it may not be the one for you if you’re seeking a plant that will grow tall.
The Swedish Ivy appreciates some shade and needs consistently humus-rich, well-drained soil. It stands out because of its upright stems and vivid leaves, which help it be a good groundcover.
The Swedish ivy has trailing tendrils that may grow to a height of two to three feet; they are more suitable as indoor plants than outdoor ones. They may be kept in a hanging basket or on patios and decks.
6. English Ivy
The English Ivy plant comes in two popular types and grows quite quickly. The first is a juvenile type with bright green leaves that often grows in lobed patterns. These are also the Ivy types whose stems lack any flowers.
The mature adult type of ivy, which has magnificent dark green branches and leaves, is another common type. In the cooler months, mature ivy blooms with greenish flowers hinting at white.
They produce flowers that are yellow or orange in the summer. Ivies are often one of the best options for winter gardens and take on quite a huge form, growing up to a stunning 30 feet in height. These perennial plants enjoy complete or partial shade.
Furthermore, they need very little upkeep and are resistant to pests like deer, mice, moles, and rabbits. English ivies may be used as groundcover and do best in hanging baskets. Once again, you could use this lovely plant if you have an unsightly fence or wall.
7. Himalayan Ivy
Himalayan ivy, a type of English ivy, is indigenous to Asia. This plant has elongated triangular leaves on each vine that may be up to 6 inches long. Some Himalayan ivy, however, has tiny leaves that only reach a length of 1 inch.
The plant can endure both complete shade and some sunlight. The plant can thrive in soil, from basic to acidic, while preferring somewhat acidic conditions.
These ivy plant varieties are readily recognized by their yellow flowering blooms and green leaves with light green or white veining. This is undoubtedly one of the amazing different types of ivy plants for indoor and outdoor gardens.
8. Japanese Ivy
Japanese ivy grows organically in laurel forests on tree trunks and rocky outcrops. This type of ivy produces clusters of purple and black berries at the tips of branches that sometimes have an erect habit and glossy leaves that vary in form according to the variety.
Japanese ivy has such a refined appearance that it resembles a houseplant. The foliage is less thick than other types, making the solitary leaves stand out more against brickwork or wood fence.
9. Russian Ivy
This species is native to most of Russia, as its name indicates. Russian ivy has green, lance-shaped leaves that are arranged in opposing pairs.
Some cultivars of this species have long, falling leaves with outer purple color and inner dark green veins, unlike the normal plants of this species, which have sparkling green leaves with cream veins. Unlike other ivy species, Russian plants don’t often climb or crawl.
As a result, it could be a terrific choice for landscaping and grounds coverage. However, this plant may grow 100 feet long with the right support. Both hot and cold temperatures are suitable for Russian ivy growth.
The plant may be grown in any type of soil. To lure pollination insects, the plants produce lovely white blossoms. This is undoubtedly one of the best different types of ivy plants for indoor and outdoor gardens.
10. North African Ivy
The North African Ivy, often called the Canary Island Ivy, does well in hardiness zones 6 to 10. This ivy has beautiful glossy dark green leaves that are nearly lobed and leathery in appearance.
The robust stems of the North African Ivy are renowned for having a hint of a reddish tint. To cultivate North African Ivy at home, remember that wet soil is the ideal setting. Unlike English Ivy, which they often resemble, these varieties of ivy can endure direct sunshine.
They are one of the greatest options for a groundcover because of how quickly they grow and their lovely leaves and sturdy stems. In certain cases, you could also choose to use them as hanging baskets or containers.
11. Boston Ivy
The Boston ivy, often called Woodbine, is a flowering woody vine. The plant is grown in front yards and public areas because of its huge, color-changing leaves, which provide shade and cover the walls.
Many different types of ivy plants for indoor and outdoor gardens are evergreen, keeping their vibrant color all year. Boston kinds of ivy, on the other hand, vary because their leaves drop throughout the winter.
The leaf’s color varies with the seasons, going from dark green to orange, crimson, and deep maroon in the autumn. This plant has 3-pointed, light green leaves that range in size from 2 to 8 inches, making them easy to recognize.
Boston ivy plants thrive in full light and can withstand drought. Boston ivy will be an excellent option if you want an attractive plant to improve the appeal of your front yard.
12. Ivalance English Ivy
If a flat leaf with a beautiful shape and vibrant color is not enough for your garden, “Ivalance” English ivy provides wavy leaf margins that resemble curling in on themselves.
If you prefer a traditional appearance with a dash of independence, you will like this variety, Ivy of the Year, by the American Ivy Society in 2011. The untamed aspect of this English ivy is then highlighted by very glossy leaves, adding to the charm of this plant.
Due to their proximity, the leaves will pull you in with their rebellious look. They are light but vibrant green at the bottom and dark rich green at the top with lighter light. However, this particular species also has a highly captivating appearance from a distance.
Its dense leaves will fully cover your wall or fence, and you will still obtain a very complex, decorative, and rich texture. This is undoubtedly one of the best different types of ivy plants for indoor and outdoor gardens.
13. North African Ivy
The North African Ivy, often called the Canary Island Ivy, does well in hardiness zones 6 to 10. This ivy has beautiful glossy dark green leaves that are nearly lobed and leathery in appearance.
The robust stems of the North African Ivy are renowned for having a hint of a reddish color. If you want to cultivate North African Ivy at home, remember that wet soil is the greatest environment.
Unlike English Ivy, which they often resemble, these varieties of ivy can endure direct sunshine. They are one of the best different types of ivy plants for indoor and outdoor gardens because of how quickly they grow and their lovely leaves and sturdy stems.
In certain cases, you could also choose to use them as hanging baskets or containers. However, there is a significant drawback to cultivating this kind of ivy. The African Ivy does not thrive in colder regions since it is born in locations with abundant sunshine.
Therefore, if you want to cultivate African ivy in a cold area, you may want to move them inside during winter to avoid having them perish.
14. Goldchild English Ivy
Although “Goldchild” has a softer leaf shape than “Needlepoint,” the five-pointed design is still extremely distinct and well-defined. This is partly because the yellow banana margins provide a pleasing yet harmonic contrast with the green leaves that begin as light and gradually become hunter green.
Then, silver-green veins that are less straight and paler lend a finishing touch to the lovely English ivy leaves. Due to its mellow and welcoming aspect, this type will be ideal if you want your garden to have that established look that also exudes a feeling of security and peace.
It also has thick and covering foliage. It is a particularly hardy, simple-to-grow, and versatile species that has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit and even won the 2008 Ivy of the Year Award.
15. Irish Ivy
The Irish Ivy, also known as Hedera Hibernica, has many similarities with the English Ivy. Additionally, it has similar cultivation practices and USDA hardiness zones. These similarities cause the Irish Ivy to often be mistaken for its English counterpart.
Even though Irish Ivy is equally popular, some places still do not allow its cultivation since they see it as an invasive or poisonous plant. When discovered in a public place, some administrative agencies even see it as a nuisance and take action to remove it.
Despite its reputation, homeowners like this type of ivy and may plant it anywhere in their garden. The Irish Ivy is very durable while also requiring little care.
16. Persian Ivy
The fastest-growing Persian ivy maybe your greatest option if you want to fill the landscape of your yard quickly. Outdoors, this vine has a maximum length of 40 feet and a maximum width of 3 to 4 feet. This species is readily recognized by its big, lustrous, heart-shaped leaves.
In fact, because of the 6 to 10-inch long leaves, the species is sometimes known as “Bullock’s Heart.” The fall-blooming white blossoms of this flowering breed are very well-known for luring bee pollinators.
The plant can thrive in almost every type of soil, although preferring slightly acidic soil. To prevent soil erosion in your yard, use standard Persian ivy. Some subspecies may be made to grow on trellises, in pots, and in other containers.
Fortunately, you can cultivate these different types of ivy plants for indoor and outdoor gardens at any time of year. Also, the Persian ivy leaves retain their deep green color throughout the winter.
17. Glacier Ivy
An English ivy variety known as glacier ivy is often cultivated as an indoor plant. This type requires direct or indirect sunlight to thrive.
The leaves of glacier ivy blend green and cream, making a lovely ground cover or decorative backdrop for brightly colored plants and flowers.
Before being entirely planted in a dark region, this kind of English ivy requires at least 6 hours of exposure to sunshine. In hanging baskets and on tall shelves, glacier ivy creates a beautiful decoration for both indoor and outdoor gardens.
18. Needlepoint Ivy
This is arguably among the best different types of ivy plants for indoor and outdoor gardens that look the most unusual. The long, three to five-lobed leaves have tapering, thin, and pointed ends.
The leaves have an angular texture that gives the impression that they are five-fingered hand waving. The leaves range in color from jade green to a deep emerald green.
The needlepoint ivy plants only reach a height and width of 2 to 3 feet, in contrast to other types.
So you may grow this plant in pots, baskets, and hanging containers. The plant is a perfect indoor option since it can endure full and partial shade.
These particular varieties of ivy houseplants are drought-tolerant enough to be used outside as ground covers and wall climbers.
