Common ivy identification and control

Why it's a problem

Common and Atlantic ivy can outcompete native plants in all 3 zones of a plant community: the forest floor, the shrub layer, and the canopy.

When ivy takes over, it reduces animal foraging habitat. It makes it difficult for understory plants to grow and kills understory and overstory trees by shading them out.

Ivy can increase the risk of trees falling in storms. Ivy vines are heavy and add a lot of extra weight to the tree. Also, the dense ivy foliage can create a sail effect in the upper branches that can be a problem in windstorms.

The sap of ivy stems can cause skin irritations and rashes to sensitive individuals. Consuming large amounts of leaves and fruits can be toxic to people and cattle.

Plant description

Common ivy is an evergreen vine with thick, waxy leaves that vary in appearance during different growth stages. All invasive types of ivy in Washington are escaped landscaping plants that are often used as groundcovers and for erosion control.

The most common type of ivy growth has dull-green, lobed leaves with light veins that grow alternately along trailing or climbing stems. This type also lacks flowers.

Leaf shape and size varies between varieties. From deeply to shallowly lobed, and from small, narrow leaves to large, broadly shaped leaves.

Mature ivy growth has shiny, dark green leaves that do not have lobes. They grow in dense clusters on side shoots from the main vines.

In the fall, they produce umbrella-like groups of small yellow-green flowers. Flowers are followed by dark purple-black berries in the late winter or early spring.

When ivy vines climb, small rootlets form that exude a glue-like substance to allow the vines to attach to almost any surface.

Older vines can be tree-like and as much as five inches thick.

Common ivy reproduces mostly via seed in mature plants. The fruits are eaten by birds who can spread ivy to new locations far from the parent plant. Ivy can also spread by stem and root fragments of younger plants.

Be aware of look-alike plants

Common ivy is often confused with:

English, Irish, and Persian ivy

Poison ivy, poison oak and other similar plants

When in doubt, take photos and report them on iNaturalist.

What to do if you find it

Property owners in King County are not required to control ivy. Because it is already naturalized in many places in King County, we are not tracking locations.

It is important to stress that common and Atlantic ivy are produced and sold in Washington (often under the name English ivy) and there are no regulations or limits on their sale or use in landscaping.

We can provide advice on how to control ivy, but there is generally no legal requirement to do so. The King County Noxious Weed Control Board encourages property owners to remove ivy where possible, and to avoid introducing it to new landscapes.  

Control methods

We recommend using a combination of methods to control noxious weeds. In areas with few weeds, it is important to act quickly before they become harder to control. Make a long-term plan as it often takes several years to get rid of most weeds. Start in the least infested areas first and then move into more heavily infested areas.

When working in critical areas such as stream banks or on steep slopes, care must be taken to minimize soil disturbance. Any disturbed soil must be stabilized to control erosion and sediment deposition (e.g., mulch or fabric).

Always wear gloves and sleeves to protect your skin from sap, which is irritating to some people.

For more in-depth control information, read Best Management Practices (BMP) for common ivy, Hedera helix and Hedera hibernica

Manual/Mechanical control

For ivy growing on the ground: Pull or dig up plants. Try to get as much root as possible. Fall through spring is usually the best time for this because the soil is less hard. You must take extra care and precautions when removing plants from slopes, as their roots hold soil into place. It is best to work in small sections when controlling ivy on a steep area. Installing erosion control fabric and new native plants in place of removed ivy is ideal. Mulch also helps keep the slope more stable.

For ivy growing in trees: Ivy can only grow from roots in soil. It doesn’t get nutrients from tree trunks. Because of this, the goal is to separate the climbing vines from their roots in the ground. Use the “tree ring” method: cut and remove all vines around the tree from waist/chest height down. This will kill the upper vines. Pry the lower vines off the tree, being careful not to damage bark. Then clear at least 3 to 6 feet of ground around the tree to keep the vines from growing back up, and then mulch the area afterward. 

Creating survival rings on trees to control common ivy: King Conservation District

For ivy growing on a slope: Be careful to remove ivy in sections to prevent major erosion issues. You must take extra care and precautions when removing plants from slopes, as their roots hold soil into place. Installing erosion control fabric and new native plants in place of removed ivy is ideal. Mulch also helps keep the slope more stable. Once you have replanted and mulched and area- you can move to the next section.

Smothering: Apply at least 8 inches (deep) of mulch to the area, layer the ground first with cardboard or paper to increase effectiveness (does not work on steep slopes). Leave for at least 2 years before attempting to replant.

Chemical control

Stay safe when using herbicide:

• Always read the label before use.
• Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, shoes, and eye protection.
• Follow state and local regulations.

Ivy can be difficult to kill with herbicide due to its tough, waxy leaves. Do not spray ivy that is climbing trees or other plants, remove it from the tree first and then spray. Herbicides with the active ingredients' glyphosate and/or triclopyr can be effective, especially when used in fall and winter when other native plants may be dormant.

Avoid spraying where there is a chance that herbicide will enter a waterway or wetland unless you are using a state-approved aquatic herbicide and have the required permits and licenses to do so. Use of pesticides in water is regulated in Washington state. See Washington Department of Ecology Aquatic Pesticide Permits for details.  

Disposal instructions

Common ivy can re-grow from root and stem pieces if left on damp ground. Dry out ivy by rolling vines into balls or carpets and leave them “high and dry” on a tarp or raft made of wood (idea is to make sure it cannot touch the ground). May be good to cover with a tarp during rainy season to encourage drying. When ivy is completely dried out you can spread it like mulch in the area or dispose of it in your yard waste.

Noxious Weed Disposal - Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board

Are your weeds piling up? - Noxious Weeds Blog