Parthenocissus tricuspidata aka Boston Ivy

Taxonomy

Parthenocissus tricuspidata, also known as Boston ivy, grape ivy, Japanese ivy, Japanese creeper, and woodbine, is a deciduous woody vine that belongs to the grape family (Vitaceae). It is native to eastern Asia in Korea, Japan, and northern and eastern China. The plant can grow up to 30 meters tall or more given suitable support, attaching itself by means of numerous small branched tendrils tipped with sticky disks. The leaves are simple, palmately lobed with three lobes, occasionally unlobed or with five lobes, or sufficiently deeply lobed to be palmately compound with (usually) three leaflets, ranging from 5 to 22 cm across. The flowers are inconspicuous, greenish, in clusters, and the fruit is a small dark blue grape 5–10 mm diameter. Japanese creeper is relatively easy to grow as a houseplant, but it needs regular watering to thrive and does best in long-lasting, direct light. It prefers soil that is well-draining and may benefit from a gentle, organic fertilizer throughout the peak growing season. The specific epithet tricuspidata means three-pointed, referring to the leaf shape.

Common names

Boston Ivy, Japanese Creeper, Japanese Ivy

How to care for Boston Ivy

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Boston Ivy due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Boston Ivy should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Boston Ivy loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Boston Ivy thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Japanese Ivy.

Toxicity

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.

Region of origin

Boston Ivy’s native range is E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea. A garden escape in Britain.


More info:
Wikipedia