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Ivy

Hedera hibernica , H. helix , and H. colchica

Updated Oct 19, 2023

Make a Positive Identification

English ivy and related species are vigorous evergreen vines.
Ivy was widely planted in landscapes and along freeways in the Pacific Northwest. It has spread into natural areas.
Ivy takes over unmanaged landscapes, forests, and waste areas.

Species: Ivy

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Ivy is an evergreen vine with waxy leaves. It forms a thick mat which often grows over other plants.

Species: Ivy

Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org

Ivy’s leaf shape and size vary on a single plant. When growing on the ground in vegetative growth stage, it has angular leaves with three to seven tips as shown in the photo.

Species: Ivy

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Leaves respond to direct or strong indirect sunlight, becoming more round with a single tip.

Species: Ivy

Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org

Birds eat ivy berries and carry seeds to new locations. The seeds sprout and new ivy plants grow.

Species: Ivy

USDA APHIS PPQ - Oxford, North Carolina , USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org

Single ivy plants grow vigorous root systems. Vines sprawl across the ground. They grow up trees, shrubs, and structures. New plants start from cut or broken pieces of ivy stems.

Species: Ivy

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Ivy vines grow up trees and structures in search of sunlight. Ivy with adequate sun exposure forms berries.

LOOK-ALIKE: BOSTON IVY

Species: Boston Ivy

Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org

Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) loses its leaves in the winter (deciduous). Its leaves are deeply lobed with three tips. It is also commonly planted along roads and freeways. It is planted to grow on the outside of buildings.

Different risks or methods

Boston ivy usually does not require management as an invasive plant.

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Ivy Benefits

Ivy is a vigorous ground cover plant that has been widely planted in landscapes and along right of ways.

Ivy Risks

Ivy covers the ground and grows onto trees and structures.
It excludes wildflowers, ferns, and tree seedlings.
Ivy provides habitat for problematic rodents.
Ivy weakens and can kill large trees.
It takes over unmanaged landscapes, forests, and waste areas.

Risk Card

Does it cause harm?

Adults & Children

Low

Property

High

Pets

None

Annoyance

High

Environment

High

Action Recommended

TAKE ACTION

Ivy spreads quickly and is difficult to control. Don’t ignore individual plants and small patches.

Do I need to take action?
Yes, take action for ivy on your property.

At minimum, prune or mow ivy to keep vines from producing berries. Birds eat the berries and spread the seeds to new areas.
Remove ivy growing on the ground when you are able.

What if I do nothing?

If you ignore patches of ivy on your property, it will produce berries with seeds that birds spread to natural areas.
The weight and roots of ivy growing up trees and onto structures can cause damage to trees, fences, and structures.

NEED HELP?

Consider a licensed pest control company. Learn How to Hire a Pest Control Company.
Your local Extension Specialist in Oregon and other states can suggest other methods.

SOLUTIONS FOR IVY

Physical Removal of Plants & Non-Chemical Methods

When removing large patches, start on the edge of the ivy patch and work your way toward the center. Cut the vines that grow up trees and structures. Dig up ivy vines rooted on the ground.
Mow it or use a string trimmer to control vines growing along the ground. Keep ivy from climbing trees and fences.
For landscape areas where ivy was planted, prevent it from producing berries by mowing and cutting stems growing up trees and structures.

Herbicides (Weed Killers)

Herbicides effectively control ivy when used according to the label directions.

Monitoring & Follow-Up

Survey your property every year for ivy. Take action as needed.
After you remove ivy, new plants will grow in the same spot unless you take steps to prevent them.

Method	Does it work?	Is it safe?	Recommendation
A Physically Remove Plants	Effective	Low risk	Recommended
B Herbicides Triclopyr & Glyphosate	Effective	Moderate risk	Use if Necessary
C If Using Herbicides, Protect Yourself & Minimize Risks
D PREVENT IVY

Physically Remove Plants

Non-Chemical Method

City of Portland Parks and Recreation : No Ivy League

Physically Remove Plants

Recommended

Cut ivy stems growing up trees and on structures. Leave cut vines in trees.
Use tools to remove vines and roots.

Does it work?	Effective Several years of monitoring and effort are required to get rid of ivy. Use preventive measures for best results.
How much effort?	High effort Follow the ivy removal instructions below for ivy growing up trees and structures and ivy growing on the ground. Return to the area each year and take action as needed.
What's the risk?	Low risk Ivy sap may cause a skin rash. Wear a long-sleeved shirt and gloves.
Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals	NONE

Control ivy vines growing into the forest canopy. Cut and remove a vine section at a comfortable height from the ground.
Remove ivy vines from the ground. Cut the roots and roll the vines into a mass you can move.
Dispose of removed ivy in the trash. Or compost in place but monitor the pile for regrowth.

Worker cutting ivy vines growing up tree

City of Portland Parks and Recreation : No Ivy League

Cut ivy vines at chest height all the way around the tree. Then cut the vines again at hip height to create a gap in the ivy vine.

Worksite with ivy removed in a ring around tree

City of Portland Parks and Recreation : No Ivy League

Pull ivy vines away from the base of the tree. Create an area free of ivy about 6 feet away from the tree trunk. This ensures that ivy will not climb the tree in the near future.

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

For large infestations, cut through the ivy mat. Peel back the vines along the cut edge. Roll the mat into a manageable mass as shown in the photo.

Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org

Composting ivy is not advised. Root and stem fragments lying on the soil surface will make new plants. Place cut ivy in a plastic bag. Put the bag in the trash or take it to a sanitary landfill. This photo shows bags of ivy on a trailer heading to the landfill.

Decomposing pile of ivy on downed tree trunk

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

If you can’t remove ivy using bags, pile loose material onto a tarp. Or pile it on top of dead tree branches, or on the ground. It may take many months for the ivy to die. Look for and kill regrowth. Prevent the cut fragments from establishing new plants.

Soil Disturbance & Erosion

Minimize soil disturbance as much as possible when removing ivy.
Regrade the soil after digging ivy roots. Apply mulch (when appropriate).
Take steps to prevent erosion as needed.
Replant the area to shade ivy seedlings.

Herbicides Triclopyr & Glyphosate

Chemical Method: Use with caution

chameleonseye, iStock

Herbicides Triclopyr & Glyphosate

Use if Necessary

Herbicides that contain the active ingredients triclopyr and glyphosate effectively control ivy when used according to label directions.

Does it work?	Effective Several years of monitoring and effort are required to get rid of ivy. Use preventive measures for best results.
How much effort?	Moderate effort Treat individual ivy plants and patches. Return to the area each year and take action as needed.
What's the risk?	Moderate risk Herbicides come with real risks. ALWAYS read the entire label front to back. Review instructions even for brands you know. Herbicides can run off your site into waterways and may harm wildlife. See How to Keep Pesticides Out of Waterways.
Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals	Using herbicides includes some amount of risk. The lowest risk comes with using alternative methods. You may be exposed to an herbicide if you: Get it on your skin Breathe it in Eat or smoke afterward without washing hands Touch or eat plants that are wet with spray (you, pets, or children) Bring it inside on your shoes or clothes Follow directions closely to reduce risk.

Herbicides with active ingredients triclopyr and/or glyphosate, used individually or in a mixture, are effective chemical treatments for ivy. Look for these chemical names in the “Active Ingredients” section of product labels.

Photo of herbicide label highlighting active ingredient triclopyr

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

The white box on this example product label highlights active ingredient triclopyr. The text on the label states “Kills completely - stumps and roots won’t grow.”
Triclopyr doesn’t injure most grasses. It is a good choice for treating ivy growing next to desired grasses in lawn, pasture, and meadow areas.
Triclopyr is more effective than glyphosate if the herbicide is applied to leaves.

Photo of herbicide label highlighting active ingredient glyphosate

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

The white box on the example label highlights active ingredient glyphosate. The text on the label states “Kills grass and weeds around flower beds, trees, shrubs....”
Glyphosate will damage most plants and grasses. Don’t let the spray contact plants you want to keep.

Herbicide Application Tips

Apply herbicide to ivy plants in the spring when new growth occurs. The new growth is more susceptible to herbicide treatment than older, waxy leaves.
At other times of the year, mow the ivy before herbicide treatment. Use a string trimmer, lawn mower, or hedge trimmer to cut the old leaves. The damage stimulates new growth susceptible to herbicide.
Ivy may take several months to die after an herbicide application.
Survey the area for regrowth each year. Manage it as needed.

Cut Stem Application Method

Another effective method is to cut ivy vines and paint concentrated herbicide on the cut stem within 15 minutes of cutting. This method reduces potential injury to nearby desirable plants. Follow the instructions on the label for cut stem application.

If Using Herbicides, Protect Yourself & Minimize Risks

Chemical Method: Use with Caution

BrianLasenby, iStock

Why is it important to read herbicide labels?

They have detailed information on how to use the product correctly and legally.
They contain information on potential hazards of the product.
They provide instructions you should follow for poisonings and spills.
Following label instructions helps you to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits.

Key Herbicide Safety Tips

Read the entire label front to back.
Follow the instructions.
Review the instructions even for brands you know.
Only apply the product where the label says it may be applied.
Be precise in your application. More is not better.

The Label is the Law

ALWAYS read the label before using herbicide products. The label is a legal document that provides information on how to safely use the herbicide. This helps avoid harm to human health and the environment. Using an herbicide in off-label ways is illegal. It can result in legal enforcement actions.

READ THE LABEL & Follow Instructions
It has instructions to protect you and the environment.

Labels are different for every product and they often change over time.
Use a magnifying glass if needed.
Pay attention to CAUTION, WARNING, and DANGER statements.
Pay attention to the PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS.
The law states you must read and follow herbicide instructions.

Protect Yourself
Eye, skin & lung irritants

Wear the right protective gear. This often includes chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, a long-sleeve shirt, pants, socks, and shoes.
Mix outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
Wash hands after mixing or applying, and before eating or smoking.
Take a shower immediately after handling herbicides.
Wash clothes worn while mixing or applying separately from other laundry.

Protect Children & Pets
Children and pets are at risk if they eat or touch the plants before it dries.

Keep them away during and after applying herbicides (read label for how long).
Remove toys and pet dishes from yard before applying.
Don’t track herbicide products into your home on shoes or clothes.

Protect Plants You Want to Keep

Glyphosate and similar herbicide ingredients damage both grass and broadleaf plants.
Minimize spraying of foliage, stems, exposed roots, or the trunks of desirable shrubs or trees to avoid harm.
Follow the label to avoid damaging the roots of trees and shrubs.

Don’t Spray into Water

It’s illegal to apply herbicides in a stream or slow moving/wetland pool.
You need a product registered for aquatic areas. This includes waterways, ditches, drains, and other places where water collects.

Avoid Wet, Windy, or Hot Weather
Use during favorable weather for best results.

Don’t spray when it’s raining or when rain is expected in the next 24 hours.
Wind causes spray to drift that can get on you and desired plants.
Herbicides may be less effective in hot weather if the target plants are moisture-stressed.
Some herbicides can turn into a vapor in hot weather and damage nearby plants.

Protect Pollinators

Apply in the early morning or evening when bees are less active.
Kill weeds before they flower. Avoid spraying flowering plants.
Do not spray on bees or insects.

Storage & Disposal

Store in a secure area away from children.
Don’t put unused herbicide products in the trash.
Never pour down any drain or waterway.
Take unused herbicides to a hazardous waste facility.

Call 1-800-CLEANUP (1-800-253-2687) to find out where to dispose of herbicides.

For the Portland metro region in Oregon, contact Metro’s Recycling Information. Call 503-234-3000, email or visit Metro’s website

More about:

About Using Pesticides on School Grounds in Oregon

If using pesticides on school grounds, there are special rules in Oregon. See School Integrated Pest Management (Oregon Department of Agriculture).