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English Ivy
Hedera helix
Also known as ivy, hedera
Plantae›Tracheophyta›Magnoliopsida›Apiales›Araliaceae
An emersed trailing plant whose roots sit in the tank (or in a hang-on-back filter) to absorb nitrate as a biofilter. Low-to-bright indirect light; roots easily in aquarium water.
Grown with its roots in the tank water and its leaves in the air: a living nitrate filter, not a submerged aquarium plant. Give it bright indirect light; no aquarium CO₂ or substrate needed.
Toxic if eaten — leaves contain saponins (hederagenin); keep the foliage away from plant-grazing fish, submerged roots are fine.
Where it's from
Native to Albania, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium and 31 more
Recorded as introduced in Alabama, Alaska, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest and 49 more places
At a glance
- Light
- Low to bright indirect
- Growth
- Moderate
- Placement
- Emersed — roots in water, leaves in air
Member photos
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Legality
No state or federal restrictions on record.
Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and change over time; check with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping or shipping it.
The care information here is written with AI help, so it can contain mistakes. Spot one? Tell us and we'll fix it. Native range: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) (CC BY 4.0).
At a glance
- Light
- Low to bright indirect
- Growth
- Moderate
- Placement
- Emersed — roots in water, leaves in air
Keepers’ experiences
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