Buying guide
Buy an English Ivy Online: Sizes, What to Check, and Where to Buy
By the Plantshop.com Editorial Team · Updated · How we research · Report an error
English ivy is the classic trailing plant for baskets, shelves and topiary, with dozens of leaf shapes and variegations. Indoors it prefers cooler rooms.
Plant profile
- Light
- Medium to bright indirect light; tolerates some sun
- Water
- When the top 1 in of soil is dry
- Humidity
- Average to high; dislikes hot, dry air
- Pets
- Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA) [ASPCA]
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Size
- Trailing vines 3-6 ft indoors
- Growth
- Moderate to fast
Is an english ivy right for you?
It suits you if you can give it medium to bright indirect light; tolerates some sun and you are happy to water when the top 1 in of soil is dry. Difficulty: Moderate. It is toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach or choose a pet-safe plant instead. Not sure? Try the Plant Finder.
Similar plants to consider: Pothos, Heartleaf Philodendron, String of Pearls, Spider Plant.
Sizes and what you will receive
Online shops sell plants by nursery pot diameter: about 4 in (small, shelf), 6 in (desk or table), 8-10 in (small floor plant) and 12 in and up (floor statement). Height varies a lot within one pot size, so read the listed height too. A mature english ivy can reach Trailing vines 3-6 ft indoors and growth is moderate to fast, so a smaller plant will take time to fill out; buy closer to the size you want.
What to check when buying: a healthy english ivy
- Firm, evenly colored leaves with no mushy stems at the soil line.
- Soil that is not sour-smelling or waterlogged when it arrives.
- No webbing, sticky residue or tiny moving insects under the leaves.
- Roots, if you peek, that are pale and firm rather than brown and soft.
Problems to know about before buying:
- Crispy leaves: Hot, dry air; move away from heat.
- Webbing under leaves: Spider mites; shower the plant.
- Loss of variegation: Too little light.
Prices
We do not quote prices until we have checked them. They change with pot size, season and sales. To compare fairly, compare the same pot size and check whether a decorative pot and shipping are included.
Shipping and seasonal risks
Tropical plants like this one suffer below about 50°F (10°C). In winter, order from a shop that adds heat packs or holds shipments in freezing weather, and bring the box inside as soon as it arrives. Summer heat in a delivery truck can also damage plants, so avoid long weekends in transit.
Your first week after delivery
- Unbox right away and photograph any damage; most guarantees need photos within a set window.
- Water only if the soil is dry; many plants arrive already moist.
- Give it medium to bright indirect light, but avoid harsh direct sun for a few days.
- Keep it away from other plants for one to two weeks in case of pests.
- Wait two to four weeks before repotting. Full care guide: English Ivy care.
Where to buy an english ivy online, and why
We list a shop only after confirming it currently lists this plant (checked 21 Oct 2026). Stock changes daily. We may earn a commission from some links; it never decides what we list. Disclosure.
Lively Root
Listing we found: English Ivy Plant (Hedera helix) (checked 21 Oct 2026)
Online plant shop with a plant finder quiz, pet-friendly and low-light collections, subscriptions and corporate gifting. Policy notes: a 30-day arrival guarantee; 48 contiguous US states (no Hawaii or Alaska).
What customers say: Buyers like the selection and size options; soil spillage and winter damage come up. Read the summary
Compare shipping and guarantee terms side by side in Online plant shop policies compared.