Virginia creeper.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous woody vine

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

bright-indirect

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

10 to 15 meters

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 9

Bloom time

Early to mid summer

Care

This vine is quite adaptable and thrives in most soil conditions. Keep an eye on its rapid growth, as it can quickly overtake structures or trees if not managed. Prune it back whenever it starts to spread beyond your desired area.

Watering

Water regularly until established, then it becomes quite drought tolerant.

Feeding

A single application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is plenty.

Pruning

Prune in late winter or summer to control its aggressive spread.

Repotting

Usually grown in the ground, but container specimens need fresh soil every few years.

Soil

Well-draining loam, clay, or sand

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-30 to 35°C

Humidity

30 to 70%

Drought tolerance

high

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 20 to 50 years.

Deer and rabbits

moderate

Safety

People

All parts of the plant are considered toxic if eaten due to high levels of calcium oxalate crystals.

Pets

The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals which can cause irritation if ingested by cats or dogs.

Children

The berries look tempting to small children but are poisonous and must be kept out of reach.

Contact allergens

The sap can cause skin irritation or rashes in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

It is not a significant source of airborne allergens.

Edibility

The berries contain oxalic acid and are toxic to humans if ingested.

How to identify it

• Five leaflets arranged in a palmately compound leaf
• Leaves turn brilliant red in autumn
• Climbs via small adhesive disks on tendrils
• Small clusters of dark blue berries
• Greenish white flowers in summer

Height

9 to 15m

Spread

3 to 6m

Leaves

green, red, deciduous

Flowers

green, white, 0.5 to 1cm

Fruit

blue, black, Autumn

Common problems

• Leaf spot — Fungal infections cause dark spots on foliage during humid weather.
• Japanese beetles — These beetles skeletonize leaves during the summer months.

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, seed, layering

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

It is fully deciduous and requires no special protection, as it is hardy in most climates.

In containers

It grows well in large containers of at least 15 gallons, though it prefers being in the ground.

Plant this vine alongside sturdy trees that can support its weight as it matures.

Grows well with

• Oak — They naturally grow together in woodland settings.
• Dogwood — The vine provides a nice contrast to the dogwood bark.

Keep away from

• Poison Ivy — It is dangerous to have these growing together as they are easily confused.

Similar species

• Boston Ivy — It is a close relative with similar climbing habits but different leaf shapes.

Science

Family

Vitaceae

Genus

Parthenocissus

Order

Vitales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Eastern and central North America.

Conservation

This plant is common and secure throughout its native range.

It thrives in forest edges and thickets by climbing trees to reach sunlight.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, nesting habitat, winter food source

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Uses

ground cover, vertical screening, erosion control, wildlife habitat

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it invasive?

It is native to North America and generally well behaved in its home range.

Will it damage my brick walls?

The adhesive pads are generally harmless to sound masonry but can damage loose mortar or wood siding.

Where the name comes from

The name Parthenocissus comes from the Greek words for virgin and ivy, while quinquefolia means five leaved.

Good to know

• It uses tiny adhesive pads to climb surfaces without needing a trellis.
• The leaves turn a deep, fiery red in autumn.
• It is often mistaken for poison ivy, but it has five leaflets instead of three.