01/21/2026
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) appreciation post!
Virginia creeper gets a lot of unnecessary hate for such an important native plant.
In my zip code alone, it’s the host plant for 30 different species of moths and butterflies! Pictured are a few of the many beautiful moth species who eat Virginia creeper when they’re baby caterpillars.
Virginia creeper also produces berries that birds love and are a very important food source for birds in late fall and winter. (The berries are toxic to humans)
In autumn, the foliage turns a gorgeous bright red color that holds its own aesthetically to even the showiest of fall trees.
Virginia creeper can be grown as a climbing vine or a ground cover.
It’s native to most of the US and Canada, except for the west coast and a couple of northwestern states.
Listen closely and repeat after me: a plant CANNOT, by definition, be invasive in its native range. Even if it grows “aggressively,” it’s feeding caterpillars and birds. It grows in harmony with other native plants.
I have VA creeper all over my yard. My yard is small. And I have quite a few different native species growing. It’s never outcompeted anything.
Virginia creeper often gets confused with poison ivy because it grows in the same areas (often right next to each other or intertwined) and looks similar. There’s a rhyme to remember which one you’re looking at: "Leaves of three, let it be. Leaves of five, let it thrive."
It is possible to develop a poison ivy-like rash from Virginia creeper, but it’s not common, especially compared to the poison ivy allergy.
I am one of the unlucky people who’s allergic to it (I have a lot of allergies and very sensitive skin.)
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center: “... the plant contains raphides, which irritate the skin of some people. Virginia creeper does cause a rash for some people but not nearly as many people as poison ivy does and not as severe. There are references online that say that Virginia creeper only is a problem with sensitive people.”
It’s more likely that there’s poison ivy growing alongside or intertwined with the Virginia creeper, and that’s what’s causing your rash. Although it’s important to note that poison ivy is also native in the US and is a host plant and bird feeder for many species.
I’ve found that you’re much more likely to develop a rash by trying to remove the plants than by simply identifying them and respecting their boundaries.
So let’s embrace the plants that are native to where we live instead of villainizing them.
I will always have the stance that plants causing minor inconveniences for humans absolutely does not outweigh the existence of entire species and the importance of biodiversity
