What soil does Boston ivy grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, calcareous, acidic.

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How much water does Boston ivy need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

How much does Boston ivy cost?

It sells for roughly €8.90 to €12 in local shops, depending on size.

Boston ivy

Parthenocissus tricuspidata

Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) is a climber. Light: full sun, part shade, shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Sold in local shops from about €8.90.

Illustration of Boston ivy — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A vigorous deciduous climber that clings on its own to brick, stone and concrete with adhesive pads at the tips of its tendrils, so it covers a whole house wall in a few years without any trellis or wires. Its glossy three-lobed leaves turn scarlet and crimson in autumn, bees visit the small greenish flowers and birds eat the blue-black berries. Plant it only where it has room and where you can cut it back every year from windows, gutters and the roof.

Watch out for

The adhesive pads hold extremely firmly: they do not break up sound brick or stone, but they cannot be pulled off painted, rendered or wooden surfaces without damaging the paint or render, and their marks stay behind. Shoots grow into gutters, under shutters and roof tiles and onto cables, so it needs cutting back at least once a year, and it should not be allowed up trees. To remove it, cut it at the base first and wait until it dies, because the pads then let go more easily. Powdery mildew, leaf spot and scale insects can occur but serious trouble is rare. The official Hungarian list of invasive plants names the creepers at genus level; in Central Europe the species that escape are thicket creeper and Virginia creeper, while this species does not usually reproduce spontaneously.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade, Shade
Water need: Low
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 10 m × 5 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–July, green

Group	Climber
Light	Full sun, Part shade, Shade
Size after 10 years	10 m × 5 m
Ultimate size	9–18 m × 1.5–8 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	June–July, green
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	200 cm
For dogs	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €8.90

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
40-60 cm	approx. €10
70-80 cm	approx. €12
size not stated	approx. €8.90

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

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Ground cover plants for shade Ground cover plants Plants for shade Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Plants for screening Plants with autumn colour

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