6 Types Of Indoor Ivy You Can Grow Inside Your Home

hanging variegated ivy plant

If you’re looking for a new type of plant to have as an indoor plant, why not try growing ivy? There are so many types of ivy plants you can grow inside, and can even benefit by cleaning the air for you!

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Ivy is a beautiful plant often found in gardens growing on walls and trellises. This plant has many benefits that can make any house a home with greenery, especially in the winter when plants die off outside. Unfortunately, not all types of ivy can be grown inside–some get too tall!

However, there are a few different varieties of ivy that you can grow inside without having to worry about them taking over your house.

Why Grow Ivy Indoors?

You’re probably more used to thinking of ivy hanging all over walls outside, but if it’s properly taken care of, there are many indoor ivy varieties to grow.

Most of these plants prefer to stay out of direct sunlight, so they work well for areas that you might struggle with other houseplants. These are especially great with being in small containers and either hanging, or being a climbing plant.

If you don’t live in a climate where ivy thrives outdoors, it’s even better to have it inside! Keep it contained and small for a small houseplant, or allow it to cover a wall as a design statement.

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This article will go over six types of ivy plants you can grow indoors, including Boston Ivy, English Ivy (aka Hedera), Japanese Pachysandra Vine, Variegated English Ivy, Oakleaf Climbing, or Creeping figs- also known as Chinese Evergreen vine or Ficus pumila). Let’s take a look at what each one does well!

Boston Ivy

boston ivy on outside of wall

Boston ivy has small leaves, and is low maintenance and easy to keep alive inside all year round. The Boston ivy plant grows best in bright but indirect sunlight without being near windows because they are prone to burn with too much sunlight.

They will also require some pruning because they are known to grow rapidly. An indoor trellis or fireplace can be the perfect place for it to grow.

You can often mistake the look of this ivy plant for English ivy. These plants have a deep emerald green color in their leaves, and they do change colors to red and yellow in the fall.

English Ivy

English ivy

English ivy prefers cooler temperatures and moist soil. It produces dark green leaves with dark red stems in the fall, which makes it perfect for decoration purposes and an effective air purifier and dehumidifier if planted near a window or ventilator where fresh outside air will flow through.

It grows well in compact spaces, so if you are looking for something that will fit into a tight corner or on your desk, this is the one for you! Its glossy leaves make it an attractive plant to have indoors all year round, and they also love indirect sunlight while not being near windows. They often need water, but too much moisture can cause rust spots on their leaves, so keep them away from any standing water sources like sinks or pots.

English ivy needs to be kept in indirect sunlight. It will grow on wood, brick, and stone so it can climb anywhere it wants up your walls to become an integral part of your home.

There are many varieties of English ivies which means they offer plenty of options when trying to find one that suits your needs perfectly while being easy enough on maintenance. The standard variety only grows about eight inches high before branching out, making them excellent hanging plants or baskets, and an ideal choice for your indoor ivy plant.

Japanese Pachysandra Vine Ivy

Pachysandra

Japanese ivy is a beautiful colorful plant from East Asia. It can be found sprouting along tree trunks and crawling along some of the rocks in forests. The leaves are glossy with rich colors, and the leaf shapes can vary depending upon the variety of plants.

The Japanese ivy vine leaves are less dense when compared to other ivies. However, these make ideal houseplants. The Japanese ivy is best inside because the plant attaches itself by using its long aerial roots that stick onto surfaces like lampshades or textiles.

It is generally a hardy plant that grows well in the home. This type of ivy produces flowers in the summer, if it does flower, they will be small yellowish green flowers.

Variegated English Ivy

hanging variegated ivy plant

Next on types of ivy to grow indoors is the variegated English ivy. It has variegated leaves with white edges and dark green centers- many people find this variety of ivy visually compelling and easy to maintain indoors all year round.

These plants will require less sunlight. Filtered or indirect sunlight is best to protect the plant from burns. This overall is a light green plant, and is going to be beautiful anywhere in the home, especially if you grow it in hanging baskets.

The variegated ivy doesn’t need as much fertilizer because they don’t have as much natural chlorophyll. While they grow at a slower rate than most other ivies, they offer a beautiful contrast to any home’s decor.

Chinese Evergreen Vine

chinese evergreen

The Chinese evergreen vine can grow up to five feet tall if you let it and does not need much more than indirect sunlight at all times for optimal growth. It provides some shade, which makes this an excellent option for living room windows or patios with sun exposure. The best part about this type of ivy? You won’t have to worry about pests like spiders climbing along your walls!

This one’s worth considering inside the home as it will thrive with the right conditions. It can also add a pop of red color depending on the variety you choose!


There are so many different types of ivy houseplants, and any of these are a beautiful addition to any home, inside or out. They are the perfect houseplant for a desk, shelf, or anywhere they can grow lush and hang out. Caring for ivy plants is easier than most other house plants, and there are so many types of ivy to choose from.

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