Canary Island ivy is an evergreen climbing or trailing shrub in the ivy family (Araliaceae) native to the Canary Islands and possibly the Atlantic coast of northern Africa. This vine can grow 30 feet tall and climb surfaces by aerial roots. It will act as a groundcover if there are no vertical surfaces to climb. It prefers shade to part shade in most soils and will grow vigorously in forests, inhibiting regeneration of understory plants, including forest wildflowers and new trees and shrubs. It is closely related to English ivy. The heart-shaped leaves are lobed to nearly no lobes in the upper leaves. It rarely blooms but has small greenish flowers followed by black, round fruits that birds eat and spread the seeds. This plant is considered invasive in California and has high invasive properties. See native alternatives to the left. Quick ID Hints : Broad, 3-7 lobed leaves 2-6" long and wide Reddish petioles and twigs Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Wet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Climbing; Creeping; Spreading
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Cordate; Ovate
Leaf feel
Leathery; Smooth
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Heart-shaped with 3-7 lobes with red-hairs below, wider leaves than English ivy. Alternate, simple, cordate, evergreen, 3-7 lobes with palmate venation when juvenile, ovate to rhombic on mature/adult branches (i.e. climbing); 2-6" long.
Fall color
Brown/Copper
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Flower form
Insignificant; Umbel
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
In umbels or compound umbels. Greenish-white, only occuring on mature branches.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Black
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit detail
Fleshy. Berry-like black drupe.
Stem detail
Covered with red, scale-like pubescence; produce adventitious roots.