Hedera canariensis
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Canary Island Ivy / Algerian Ivy
Botanical Name: Hedera canariensis
Family: Araliaceae
Origin: North Africa, Canary Islands, Atlantic coast
Plant Type: Evergreen climber / groundcover
Overview
Canary Island Ivy is a vigorous, large-leafed evergreen ivy grown for fast, dense cover on walls, fences, pergolas and difficult shaded banks. Its glossy, deep-green leaves create a lush, uniform backdrop and knit quickly into a weed-suppressing groundcover. Exceptionally tough and shade-tolerant, it's ideal for rapidly greening tricky spots — just site it where its vigour is welcome and keep it clear of gutters, trees and neighbouring boundaries.
Key Features
- Mature Size: Climbs 3–6 m+; spreads indefinitely as groundcover (0.2–0.3 m high)
- Growth Rate: Very fast; 60–100+ cm per year; vigorous trailing and self-clinging climbing habit
- Foliage: Large, glossy, deep-green leathery leaves; dense evergreen cover year-round
- Flowers: Insignificant greenish flower clusters on mature growth in autumn; grown for foliage
- Seasonal Interest: Glossy evergreen cover year-round
- Wildlife Value: Late flowers and berries on mature plants offer food for birds and insects; dense cover shelters small fauna
- Tolerance: Drought-tolerant once established; frost hardy; coastal-tolerant; wind-tolerant; copes with deep shade and poor soils
- Planting Density: Fast groundcover: 50–60 cm apart; standard cover: 70–80 cm apart
- Pet Friendly: Toxic to cats and dogs — leaves and berries can cause vomiting and irritation if eaten; sap may irritate skin
Where It Works Best
- Sunlight: Full sun to deep shade — one of the most shade-tolerant evergreens available
- Soil: Adapts to virtually all soils including clay and poor soils; tolerates dry shade once established
- Water Needs: Establishment: deep soak weekly for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer; rarely in winter — drought tolerant once established.
- Maintenance: Prune hard at any time to contain spread; keep clear of gutters, roof spaces, trees and boundary fences; remove climbing stems from rendered or painted surfaces; monitor so it does not escape into bushland
- Lifespan: 20–50+ years
- Climate Zones: Suited to all SA regions — metro, Hills, coastal and inland
- Soil pH: Adaptable; acidic to alkaline (pH 5.5–7.5)
Landscape & Design Ideas
- Fast evergreen cover for walls, fences and pergolas
- Weed-suppressing groundcover on shaded, hard-to-plant banks
- Lush green screen where rapid coverage is the priority
Why You Will Love It
When you need to green a difficult shaded spot fast, little beats Canary Island Ivy — glossy, dense and near-indestructible, it covers walls and banks with lush evergreen foliage where most plants struggle. Site it thoughtfully and it does the hard work for you.