Will it damage my brick walls?

Generally no, it grows in existing mortar gaps and does not actively pry bricks apart.

Can I grow it in full sun?

It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil remains consistently moist.

Plant guide

Ivy-leaved toadflax.

Cymbalaria muralis

Pronounced sim-buh-LAIR-ee-uh myoo-RAL-iss

Also known as Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Kenilworth Creeper, Kenilworth ivy, Kenilworth ivy, Ivy-leaved toadflax, Coliseum ivy, Oxford ivy, Mother of thousands, Pennywort, Wandering sailor, Kenilworth-ivy

Ivy-leaved toadflax — Photo by Douglas Goldman (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

This charming little plant loves to creep along stone walls and rocky crevices. It produces delicate, snapdragon-like flowers that add a touch of whimsy to any garden. You'll find it's quite happy trailing from hanging baskets or tucked into rock gardens.

Another photo of Ivy-leaved toadflax — Photo by Sandy Wolkenberg (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial herb
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 6 inches tall
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to mimic its natural cool, rocky habitat. Watch for wilting during hot spells, as this plant prefers cooler temperatures and shade. If it gets too leggy, don't hesitate to trim it back to encourage a bushier shape.

Watering: Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long, straggly stems to maintain a tidy appearance and promote new growth.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root-bound or the soil loses its structure.
Soil: Well-draining, gritty soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: -15 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
The plant looks crowded and stops spreading.
Water runs through the pot too quickly.

Safety

People: There are no reports of significant toxicity, but it is not intended for consumption.
Children: The small size of the plant and its tendency to grow in cracks may make it a minor choking hazard if small parts are ingested by children.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should be kept away from food preparation areas.

How to identify it

Small, ivy-shaped, lobed leaves
Delicate, lilac-colored snapdragon flowers
Trailing, slender, reddish stems
Tiny, rounded seed capsules

Height: 0.05 to 0.15m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: lilac, purple, white, 0.5 to 1cm

Problems to watch for

Root RotCommon
Slugs and SnailsCommon
AphidsUncommon
Powdery MildewUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division, cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: It is largely evergreen in mild climates, but may die back in severe cold. Simply clear away any dead foliage in early spring to encourage fresh growth.
In containers: It is excellent for containers, especially hanging baskets where it can trail over the edges.

Division

1. Carefully lift a clump from the soil or wall crevice.
2. Gently pull the root system apart into smaller sections.
3. Replant immediately into moist soil.

Seed

1. Collect ripe seeds in late summer.
2. Sow them directly into moist, gritty soil.
3. Keep the surface damp until germination occurs.

Pair this plant with other low growing rock garden species that prefer similar moisture levels to create a lush, green tapestry.

Grows well with

Ferns · They share a love for cool, shaded, and moist rock crevices.
Creeping Jenny · Both plants provide excellent ground cover in moist, shaded areas.

Similar species

Ivy-leaved toadflax · It is a very close relative with slightly larger flowers.

Science

Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Cymbalaria
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southern and central Europe.
Conservation: It is considered an invasive species in some parts of North America where it outcompetes native rock dwelling plants.

It thrives in cool, damp crevices of stone walls where it finds protection from direct heat and competition.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: rock gardens, wall plantings, ground cover, container filler

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 5/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Will it damage my brick walls?: Generally no, it grows in existing mortar gaps and does not actively pry bricks apart.
Can I grow it in full sun?: It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil remains consistently moist.

Where the name comes from

Cymbalaria refers to the cymbal shaped leaves, while muralis means of walls, describing its natural habitat perfectly.

Good to know

It is commonly known as Kenilworth ivy because it was once abundant at Kenilworth Castle.
The plant is a master of colonizing vertical surfaces like brick walls and stone bridges.
It is a member of the plantain family, Plantaginaceae.
The tiny flowers look like miniature snapdragons.

Also in

Plants for shade

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.