How to Grow Dark Red Ivy
Wikimedia Commons
Dark Red Ivy
Hedera helix 'Atropurpurea'
vineDark Red Ivy is a cultivar of English Ivy featuring deep burgundy to dark purple foliage that intensifies in cool weather and full sun exposure. This evergreen climbing vine grows vigorously and is prized for ornamental groundcover, living walls, and container gardening. It retains its dramatic coloration year-round in most climates.
When should you plant Dark Red Ivy in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Dark Red Ivy timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Dark Red Ivy
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Dark Red Ivy
Around Apr 18≈ 1 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Dark Red Ivy dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; foliage color most vibrant in zones 6-8
Sign up free to see if Dark Red Ivy grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Dark Red Ivy timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
4-8 weeksYoung transplants with initial green to burgundy leaves; sparse branching
Water regularly to keep soil moist. Provide support structure or allow to spread as groundcover. Avoid fertilizing heavily to prevent excessive green growth.
Vegetative Growth
8-16 weeksRapid stem elongation with increasing foliage density; leaves darken to deep red-purple
Maintain consistent moisture. Begin light pruning to shape growth direction. Apply balanced fertilizer monthly during growing season (spring-summer).
Mature Spreading
Ongoing (6+ months per year)Dense canopy with fully darkened burgundy foliage; aerial rootlets visible on stems
Prune regularly to control size and shape. Maintain moisture during dry periods. Remove any reverted green-leaved shoots. Monitor for pests.
Winter Dormancy
3-4 months (varies by zone)Foliage color deepens further in cold; growth slows significantly; leaves remain evergreen
Reduce watering but don't let soil dry completely. No fertilizing needed. Protect young plants from harsh wind exposure in zones 5-6.
Seasonal Renewal
4-6 weeksNew growth emerges in spring with initial purple-tinged foliage; vine extends further
Increase watering as temperatures warm. Apply slow-release fertilizer. Resume regular pruning to maintain desired form.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Spray with water to dislodge; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap in severe cases. Increase humidity around plant.
-
Remove by hand or with rubbing alcohol on cotton swab. Apply horticultural oil spray. Ensure good air circulation.
-
Prune heavily infested stems; apply dormant oil in late winter. Spot-treat with neem oil.
-
Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap or neem oil for persistent infestations.
-
Remove heavily affected leaves. Apply spinosad or neem oil. No chemical control highly effective; manage through pruning.
Uses
Living wall and vertical gardening
HouseholdDark Red Ivy's vigorous growth and dramatic coloring make it ideal for covering walls, trellises, pergolas, and arbors. Its dense foliage provides year-round privacy screening and sound dampening for outdoor spaces. [source]
Groundcover and erosion control
HouseholdThe vine spreads rapidly along the ground to form dense, decorative mats that suppress weeds and stabilize soil on slopes. Its evergreen nature provides ganzjährige coverage and winter interest. [source]
Container and indoor gardening
HouseholdDark Red Ivy grows well in large containers and hanging baskets for patios, as well as indoors with bright indirect light. The cascading burgundy foliage adds sophisticated color to both outdoor and indoor displays. [source]
Wildlife habitat and food source
WildlifeIvy provides shelter, nesting sites, and berries for birds and beneficial insects. It improves biodiversity in gardens and urban settings while requiring minimal maintenance. [source]
Foliage arrangements and decorative use
CraftThe distinctive dark burgundy leaves add depth and color contrast to fresh and dried floral arrangements, wreaths, and seasonal decorations. Sprigs can be cut and used fresh in arrangements for 1-2 weeks. [source]
Harvest Tips
Dark Red Ivy is not harvested for consumption or production. Prune stems as needed for shape and size control, typically in late winter or early spring. Remove no more than one-third of growth at a time. Cuttings can be propagated year-round in water or moist soil medium (root development takes 2-4 weeks).
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Dark Red Ivy's deep burgundy coloration is most intense in winter and full sun because the plant produces anthocyanin pigments as a protective response to cold temperatures and UV radiation.
- 🌱 Despite its name 'Dark Red Ivy,' it's actually a cultivar of English Ivy (Hedera helix), which is native to Europe and western Asia, not England specifically—the name reflects its historical popularity in English gardens.
- 🌱 Ivy vines can live for 100+ years and grow to cover entire buildings; some specimens in Europe are documented to be over 400 years old, with woody stems as thick as tree trunks.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Dark Red Ivy planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Dark Red Ivy seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Dark Red Ivy timeline →