Japanese Ivy Plant Care
Hedera rhombea (Miq.) Siebold ex Bean
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Hedera rhombea, the Japanese ivy or songak, is a species of ivy in the Araliaceae family native to East Asia. It is native to Japan, the Korean Peninsula, the Ryukyu Islands, and Taiwan, where it is common on rocky slopes and growing up the trunks of trees, especially in laurel forest, a type of cloud forest.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect to low light
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Japanese Ivy?
Water Japanese Ivy every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to low light. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Japanese Ivy Native To?
What Is the Japanese Ivy?
Japanese Ivy (Hedera rhombea) belongs to the Araliaceae family within the Hedera genus. Japanese Ivy is native to East Asia.
Japanese Ivy displays a trailing vine growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Japanese Ivy produces small greenish-white blooms in umbels.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Japanese Ivy?
Hedera rhombea requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Japanese Ivy Need?
Japanese Ivy thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing Japanese Ivy in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to low light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Japanese Ivy Prefer?
Hedera rhombea grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Japanese Ivy prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Japanese Ivy?
Well-draining potting mix with added perlite for aeration. Good drainage is essential for Japanese Ivy to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Japanese Ivy?
Feed Japanese Ivy every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Japanese Ivy?
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Japanese Ivy?
Japanese Ivy can be propagated through stem cuttings, layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to english ivy plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Japanese Ivy Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Japanese Ivy?
Japanese Ivy is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Japanese Ivy Need?
Japanese Ivy grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Japanese Ivy is native to East Asia. In cooler regions, grow Japanese Ivy as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Japanese Ivy is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Hedera genus — compare its care with other Hedera species on PlantoScan.
Hedera is part of the Araliaceae plant family — browse all Araliaceae genera and species.
Japanese Ivy copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Hedera Species
Other Hedera species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Hedera rhombea (Miq.) Siebold ex Bean, family Araliaceae (first published in Gard. Chron. 1867: 926 (1867)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Japanese Ivy is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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