Plant Care Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy

Also known as

Eastern poison ivy

Taxonomy

Toxicodendron radicans
Toxicodendron
Anacardiaceae
Sapindales

How to care for Poison Ivy

💦 Water

How often to water your Poison Ivy

Water needs for Poison Ivy
0.5 cups
every 9

Poison Ivy needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Poison Ivy

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Poison Ivy in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Poison Ivy: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Poison Ivy love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Poison Ivy does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Poison Ivy in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Poison Ivy

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Poison Ivy: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Poison Ivy after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Poison Ivy can be challenging to care for, according to some plant parents. Check out the reviews down below to learn from their experiences!

How to Grow Poison Ivy →

Benefits of Growing Poison Ivy →

Common Poison Ivy Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Poison Ivy →


💦 Water Needs

Poison Ivy prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Poison Ivy Water Frequency →

Poison Ivy Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Poison Ivy requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Poison Ivy Light Requirements →

Poison Ivy Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Poison Ivy is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Poison Ivy is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Is Poison Ivy Edible? →

Poison Ivy Toxicity to Cats →

Poison Ivy Toxicity to Dogs →

Poison Ivy Toxicity to Humans →


🪴 Soil

Poison Ivy does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Poison Ivy →

Best Pots for Poison Ivy →

When and How to Successfully Repot Poison Ivy →

What Are Healthy Poison Ivy Roots →


💩 Fertilizer

Poison Ivy should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Poison Ivy →


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Poison Ivy is a naturally climbing plant and can be trained to climb indoors if you provide a moss pole or trellis. The newest growth will emerge from the end of the stems.

Poison Ivy Lifecycle →

Poison Ivy Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Poison Ivy →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors
🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Poison Ivy can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Poison Ivy →


🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Poison Ivy, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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