Ivy: The Destruction Behind the Beauty

Houses covered in ivy look like something out of a fairytale. There is no denying the beauty of ivy, and even that it can aid in cooling the buildings on hot summer days. The vines quickly climb walls, cover the ground, and add greenery to an otherwise urban environment. However, ivy is incredibly damaging and destructive to buildings and to the local ecosystem.

English Ivy

Much of the climbing ivy seen around Harrisburg is English ivy. English ivy is an invasive plant and not native to Pennsylvania; it is naturally found in Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, and was likely brought to the area by settlers during colonization.[i] Identifiable features of English ivy include fan-shaped leaves with lobes and a waxy texture, pale veins, and aerial rootlets.[ii] Aerial rootlets are roots that grow above ground, and allow the ivy to anchor into different surfaces to climb.

Because English ivy is an invasive species, it will harm the local environment. It will kill native trees by spreading the Bacterial Leaf Scorch disease, preventing the trees from conducting photosynthesis by covering the branches and leaves, and causing the trees to fall if the ivy becomes heavy enough.[iii] As it covers the ground, it will block sunlight and kill the native plants growing beneath it.

How Ivy Damages Buildings

Brick and stone walls are susceptible to damage caused by ivy, because the ivy will anchor into the mortar and masonry. Oftentimes, the ivy will anchor its aerial rootlets into existing small cracks or holes.[iv] As the plant grows, the rootlets will grow in size and number, which will affect the surrounding masonry. If left unregulated, the ivy can dislodge the brickwork, trap moisture in the wall, and allow pests to make their way into the building.[v]

Improper removal of ivy may result in additional damage. Simply tearing the vines off of the wall may cause the bricks or stone to dislodge or otherwise affect the structural integrity of the wall. Using harsh chemicals or acids to kill the ivy can also damage or stain the masonry.[i] Generally, the best way to remove ivy is slowly, and in segments so the damage to the wall can be assessed at the same time. Once the large vines are removed, the remnants of the anchor points of the aerial rootlets will also need to be carefully removed. The masonry may need to be repointed, depending on the damage. Researching online and speaking to local companies who provide ivy removal services can help homeowners interested in removing this destructive plant.

Climbing ivy should be avoided on historic brick and stone homes. The damage it can cause outweigh any potential benefits. English ivy should never be used, even as groundcover, due to the harm it causes to the local ecosystem. Adding native, non-climbing plants to gardens or as potted plants is a great way to add greenery to a property without damaging the building.   

Written by Ericka Kauffman, Historic Preservation Specialist

Published: May 27, 2026

[i] The Brick Industry Association, “Ivy on Brickwork,” Brick Brief, July 2005, https://www.gobrick.com/media/file/ivy-on-brickwork.pdf.

[i] Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, “Invasive Plants in Pennsylvania: English Ivy,” https://elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/PDFProvider.ashx?action=PDFStream&docID=1738738&chksum=&revision=0&docName=hIvy&nativeExt=pdf&PromptToSave=False&Size=215283&ViewerMode=2&overlay=0.

[ii] Compiled by Christa Carignan, reviewed by Debra Ricigliano, “English Ivy,” University of Maryland Extension, March 2018, https://extension.umd.edu/resource/english-ivy/.

[iii] Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, “Invasive Plants in Pennsylvania: English Ivy,” https://elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/PDFProvider.ashx?action=PDFStream&docID=1738738&chksum=&revision=0&docName=hIvy&nativeExt=pdf&PromptToSave=False&Size=215283&ViewerMode=2&overlay=0.

[iv] Historic England, “Ivy on Walls,” August 8, 2024, https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/technical-advice/monuments-and-sites/ivy-on-walls/#Harm.

[v] The Brick Industry Association, “Ivy on Brickwork,” Brick Brief, July 2005, https://www.gobrick.com/media/file/ivy-on-brickwork.pdf.