Boston Ivy plant profile
Parthenocissus tricuspidata
A perennial ornamental for partial sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Boston Ivy
Boston ivy is a vigorous deciduous woody vine that clings to flat surfaces by adhesive-disk tendrils, grown for its dense green summer cover and spectacular burgundy-to-red fall color (its greenish flowers in late spring to summer are insignificant). Plant in spring or fall in almost any soil, in full sun to shade. Do not grow it on wood or shingle siding (the holdfasts ruin paint and creep under shingles); give it masonry, a fence, or a wall instead.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Boston Ivy in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Partial sun
- Soil pH
- 6 to 8
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Hardiness
- Zones 4a to 8bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: japanese beetles, scale, leafhoppers, leaf spot.
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Boston Ivy, Japanese Creeper)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.