Will it damage my brick wall?

It generally does not damage sound masonry, but it can pull paint off wood siding.

How fast does it grow?

It is a vigorous grower that can add several feet of length in a single season.

Plant guide

Virginia creeper.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Pronounced par-then-oh-SIS-us kwin-kwe-FO-lee-uh

Also known as American Ivy, American-ivy, Five-leaf-ivy, Five-leaved Ivy, Fiveleaved Ivy

Parthenocissus quinquefolia — Photo by Dennis Vollmar (CC0) via gbif

Virginia creeper is a vigorous, deciduous woody vine known for its stunning fall color. It climbs using small adhesive tendrils, making it perfect for covering walls or fences. It's a hardy native that supports local wildlife with its berries.

Another photo of Virginia creeper — Photo by M. Whitson (CC BY) via iNaturalist

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: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Long-lived perennial.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot.
Stunted growth.

Safety

People: The sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals, and the berries are poisonous.
Pets: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals which can cause irritation if ingested by cats or dogs.
Children: Keep children away from the berries as they are toxic if eaten.
Contact allergens: Contact with the sap may cause mild skin irritation or dermatitis in some people.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is not considered a significant allergen.
Edibility: The berries contain oxalic acid and are considered 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, purple, deciduous
Flowers: green, white, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: blue, black, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed, layering
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: No special care is needed as it is fully hardy, but you can prune back excessive growth in late winter.
In containers: It is best kept in the ground, but can grow in a very large container if pruned regularly.

Hardwood cuttings

Take 15 cm cuttings in late winter.
Place in moist soil.
Keep in a cool, bright spot until spring.

Plant it where it has plenty of room to spread, as it can easily overwhelm smaller shrubs.

Grows well with

Oak — It naturally climbs trees in forest settings without harming them.
Eastern Redbud — They share similar woodland edge habitat requirements.

Similar species

Boston Ivy — It is a close relative with a similar growth habit but different leaf shape.

Science

Family: Vitaceae
Genus: Parthenocissus
Order: Vitales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern and central North America.
Conservation: This plant is widespread and not of conservation concern.

It naturally colonizes forest edges and rocky slopes, providing essential cover for small animals.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, nesting cover, winter food for birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: vertical screening, ground cover, erosion control, wildlife habitat

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

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

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Will it damage my brick wall?: It generally does not damage sound masonry, but it can pull paint off wood siding.
How fast does it grow?: It is a vigorous grower that can add several feet of length in a single season.

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 climbs using small adhesive pads rather than twining tendrils.
The name Virginia creeper is a bit misleading as it is native to much of North America.
It is often mistaken for poison ivy, but it has five leaflets while poison ivy has three.

Also in

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