Species poison ivy

poison ivy

Toxicodendron radicans

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is an unwelcome, yet seemingly ever-present, species of plant. Native to North America, it proliferates in moist soil and a variety of other habitats. It has glossy, green leaves in clusters of three, which can cause an itchy rash in humans and livestock if touched. Poison ivy's branches have a reddish tinge and produce green-white berries that birds eat and spread. It's an invasive species, out-competing native plants for resources and releasing toxins poisonous to animals. In areas where mild, you can take steps to limit the spread of poison ivy, such as manually removing the plant from your garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Root Cutting,Layering Propagation,Stem Propagation,Division,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 10

Flowers:

Greenish-white Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,red,yellow,orange

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

High

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy at all times. Water when the surface of the soil appears dry, providing a good soaking about once a week during warm to hot weather. Overall, the amount to water will vary, but you should never let the root zone dry out completely, as this will cause the plant to wilt and yellow leaves. On the other hand, overwatering can create other issues such as root rot.

sunlight

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) does best in full sunlight, though it can adapt to various light levels. Too much direct sunlight, however, could cause the leaves to scald and dry out. The ideal amount of sunlight for a poison ivy plant is 6 to 8 hours a day. These hours are typically best during the morning, with some shade in the afternoon. Doing so ensures that the plant gets the direct sunlight necessary for photosynthesis and general healthy growth, while avoiding the intense midday heat.

pruning

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) should be pruned in early spring, before the plants start to grow and flower buds begin to form. Pruning should involve removing dead, diseased, or damaged stems, and removing any stems that are crossing or rubbing against each other. Pruning should be done conservatively so that the natural shape of the plant is maintained. It is not necessary to completely remove all stems in order to reduce the spread of this plant species.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Poison ivy typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Poison ivy typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map