Poison Ivy Plant Care

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) belongs to the Anacardiaceae family within the Toxicodendron genus. Poison Ivy is native to North America. Poison Ivy is also known as Eastern Poison Ivy.

Poison Ivy displays a vining, sprawling shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Poison Ivy produces small greenish-white flowers in clusters.

Water a young or newly planted Poison Ivy every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Poison Ivy thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Toxicodendron radicans tolerates temperatures of 60°F. Poison Ivy prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Poison Ivy to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Poison Ivy every month during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Poison Ivy is suited to USDA Zone 3a – 10b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Poison Ivy can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Poison Ivy while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Poison Ivy is hardy down to USDA zone 3a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Poison Ivy can be propagated through seeds, root cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Poison Ivy is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. 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.

Poison Ivy grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Poison Ivy is native to North America.