• Photo of Hedera canariensis (Hedera canariensiss)

Plant Profile: Hedera canariensis

Taxonomy: Hedera canariensis

Names

Algerian Ivy, Canary Island Ivy, Canary Ivy, Coney Island Ivy, Madeira Ivy

  • Photo of Hedera canariensis (Hedera canariensiss)

Phonetic Spelling:HED-er-ah kah-nair-ee-EN-sis

Genus:Hedera

Species:canariensis

Family:Araliaceae

Algerian ivy is a vigorous, evergreen climbing vine characterized by its large leaves. Commonly utilized as ground cover, it typically reaches heights of 8 to 10 inches but has the potential to climb significantly higher. While it can serve as an effective ground cover, it requires careful management to prevent it from becoming invasive, often necessitating regular pruning to maintain its size. To prevent leaf drop, it is essential to keep the moisture levels consistent.

**Quick Identification Tips:**
Cuttings taken from mature sections of the plant will grow into a shrub-like form, which, while decorative, produces berries that are toxic. The reddish hue found on the undersides of the leaves and stems is attributed to small, red, star-shaped or scale-like hairs.

This plant exhibits rapid growth, is tolerant of alkaline conditions, moderately resistant to salt, and may encounter pest issues.

Hedera canariensis Feature Summary

Hedera canariensis Image Gallery

Tags

#evergreen
#poisonous
#houseplant
#shade tolerant
#weedy
#salt tolerant
#winter interest
#fall interest
#creeping
#spreading
#poisonous berries
#climbing vines
#summer flowers
#groundcover
#fantz
#partial shade tolerant

Similar Plants

Hedera canariensis is often confused with:

Hedera canariensis Feature Summary

Attributes
Canary Islands, Azores, Northern Africa
Perennial
Woody
Stem Cutting
Leaf Cutting
Fruit
Fleshy. Berry-like black drupe.
Berry
Drupe
Flowers
In umbels or compound umbels. Greenish-white, only occuring on mature branches.
Gold/Yellow
Green
Insignificant
Umbel
4-5 petals/rays
< 1 inch
Leaves
Heart-shaped with 3-7 lobes with red-hairs below, wider leaves than English ivy. Alternate, simple, cordate, evergreen, 3-7 lobes with palmate venation when juvenile, ovate to rhombic on mature/adult branches (i.e. climbing); 2-6" long.
Ovate
Cordate
3-6 inches
Smooth
Leathery
Stem
Covered with red, scale-like pubescence; produce adventitious roots.
Poisonous to Humans
Severe irritation and allergic contact dermatitis after a delay following contact with cell sap
Triterpenoid saponins and polyacetylene compounds
Leaves
Fruits
Whole Plant Traits
Poisonous
Vine
Ground Cover
Spreading
Creeping
Climbing
Coarse
Cultural Conditions
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Good Drainage
Occasionally Wet
Coastal
Piedmont
Landscape

Hedera canariensis Attributes

Hedera canariensis: Country Or Region Of Origin

Canary Islands, Azores, Northern Africa

Hedera canariensis: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Hedera canariensis: Recommended Propagation Strategy

Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting

Hedera canariensis: Climbing Method

Clinging
Scrambler
Tendrils
Twining

Hedera canariensis Fruit

Hedera canariensis: Fruit Description

Fleshy. Berry-like black drupe.

Hedera canariensis: Fruit Type

Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua

Hedera canariensis: Fruit Color

grass
Black

Hedera canariensis Flowers

Hedera canariensis: Flower Description

In umbels or compound umbels. Greenish-white, only occuring on mature branches.

Hedera canariensis: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Gold/Yellow
filter_vintage
Green

Hedera canariensis: Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Hedera canariensis: Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Hedera canariensis: Flower Petals

2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals

Hedera canariensis: Flower Size

1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches

Hedera canariensis Leaves

Hedera canariensis: Leaf Description

Heart-shaped with 3-7 lobes with red-hairs below, wider leaves than English ivy. Alternate, simple, cordate, evergreen, 3-7 lobes with palmate venation when juvenile, ovate to rhombic on mature/adult branches (i.e. climbing); 2-6" long.

Hedera canariensis: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Hedera canariensis: Leaf Color

spa
Green

Hedera canariensis: Deciduous Leaf Fall Color

spa
Brown/Copper

Hedera canariensis: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Hedera canariensis: Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Hedera canariensis: Leaf Shape

Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate

Hedera canariensis: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Hedera canariensis: Leaf Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Hedera canariensis: Leaf Feel

Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy

Hedera canariensis Stem

Hedera canariensis: Stem Description

Covered with red, scale-like pubescence; produce adventitious roots.

Hedera canariensis: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Hedera canariensis Poisonous to Humans

Hedera canariensis: Poison Symptoms

Severe irritation and allergic contact dermatitis after a delay following contact with cell sap

Hedera canariensis: Poison Toxic Principle

Triterpenoid saponins and polyacetylene compounds

Hedera canariensis: Poison Severity

High
Low
Medium

Hedera canariensis: Causes Contact Dermatitis

No
Yes

Hedera canariensis: Poison Part

Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems

Hedera canariensis Whole Plant Traits

Hedera canariensis: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Hedera canariensis: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Hedera canariensis: Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Hedera canariensis: Growth Rate

Slow
Medium
Rapid

Hedera canariensis: Maintenance

Low
Medium
High

Hedera canariensis: Texture

Fine
Medium
Coarse

Hedera canariensis Cultural Conditions

Hedera canariensis: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Hedera canariensis: Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Hedera canariensis: NC Region

Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont

Hedera canariensis: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
7b
thermostat
8a
thermostat
8b
thermostat
9a
thermostat
9b

Hedera canariensis Landscape

Hedera canariensis: Landscape Theme

Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden

Hedera canariensis: Resistance To Challenges

Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind

Hedera canariensis: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland