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Delairea odorata
Also called German Ivy, Parlor Ivy, Italian Ivy
Cape-ivy is a fast-growing, twining perennial climber from South Africa, grown for its ivy-like leaves and scented flowers. It is invasive in many places, so check local rules before planting outdoors.
Delairea odorata is a climber within the family Asteraceae that is native to South Africa. One of the two species in the genus Delairea (the other being Delairea aparadensis), it was previously included in the genus Senecio as Senecio mikanioides. It is known as Cape ivy in some parts of the world (US) and German ivy in others (Britain, Ireland). Other names include parlor ivy and Italian ivy.
It is a twining perennial, herbaceous plant that grows 3 metres (9.8 ft) tall. Its multi-lobed leaves somewhat resemble those of the unrelated English ivy. Originally used as an ornamental plant on trellises and as groundcover, it is now rarely cultivated because of its invasiveness, in addition to being a weed. Although it resembles Senecio tamoides, Open Tree of Life indicates that it is most closely related to species in the genus Curio, followed by Senecio angulatus.
Germany ivy is grown as a vine or groundcover, where it can vigorously climb up posts, hedges, trees and shrubs, fences, banks, and walls. The plant is cultivated in landscaping for its ivy-like leaves and scented flowers in bright light or light shade away from abundant sunlight. Propagation is done by cuttings as its stems root readily both in water and soil, without the need for a rooting hormone. Pruning is encouraged for a bushy and compact growth.
Although it can tolerate drought, it thrives better in moist soils, but it cannot withstand soggy soils. When overwatered, its leaves turn brown and have curled edges. Conversely, underwatering will cause its leaves to fall. The plant flourishes in moister winter months and particularly after rainfalls where it displays bright green foliage. During the dry months it may die back to its stems or maintain a minimal growth. Pests include mealy bugs and aphids, and diseases include leaf spot and root rot.
This plant is somewhat scarce in its native country of South Africa, where it was originally found in the Drakensberg Mountains, on forest edges, at elevations above 1,500 metres (4,900 ft), in moist areas. Its presence in coastal areas (some of which are arid) in South Africa is probably more recent. In California, it is generally found in the coastal fog belt, with a few specimens found inland, particularly in subtropical riparian sites that feature permanent moisture.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Delairea odorata by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
