Kenilworth Ivy
Cymbalaria muralis
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Pl. 4C31 — Cymbalaria muralis
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IOverview
Overview
Kenilworth Ivy (Cymbalaria muralis) is a small perennial herb native to the rocky and limestone walls of Austria, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Yugoslavia. This plant thrives in light, medium, or heavy soil conditions and prefers a pH between 7.5 and 8, making it well-suited for dry to moist environments. Known for its edible leaves, Kenilworth Ivy is also valued for its ornamental qualities, with distinctive small, star-shaped flowers that add charm to rock gardens and walls. Its compact form and ability to grow in a variety of soil types make it an interesting addition to any garden setting.
Quick answers
What is Kenilworth Ivy?
Kenilworth Ivy (Cymbalaria muralis) is a small perennial herb native to the rocky and limestone walls of Austria, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Yugoslavia. This plant thrives in light, medium, or heavy soil conditions and prefers a pH between 7.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Kenilworth Ivy thrives in light to medium soil types and prefers a pH of 7.5–8. It is drought-tolerant but benefits from moist conditions, making it suitable for areas with moderate rainfall. This perennial plant grows up to 0.1 meters tall and can be propagated through seeds or cuttings. Hardy in temperate regions (zones 3-7), Kenilworth Ivy requires partial shade to full sun. The edible leaves are best harvested when young and tender.
Light
5/10
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
3-7
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.1 m tall
Soil pH
7.5–8
Seasonal calendar
Northern hemisphere · UTC month is September
winterspringsummerautumnwinter
BloomJFMAMJJASOND
For first-time growers
How to grow Kenilworth Ivy for the first time
8steps
Start with Kenilworth Ivy as a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or small plants, potting soil, containers or garden space.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a pH of 7.5–8, ensuring containers have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds outdoors or start them indoors 6-8 weeks before planting outside.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil moist and provide partial shade to help seedlings establish.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves and spent flowers to maintain plant health and appearance.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy clay soils, neglecting to provide partial shade.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The leaves of Kenilworth Ivy (Cymbalaria muralis) are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. They are typically prepared fresh in salads for their mild flavor. The plant grows well in light to heavy soil with a pH between 7.5 and 8, making it suitable for gardens with similar conditions.
Other uses:Dye
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
5 native · 25 introduced
Distribution
5 native · 25 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 5 native· 25 introduced
Europe7 regions
native (4)AustriaFranceItalySwitzerland
introduced (3)FrancePortugalSpain
Americas5 regions
introduced (5)Costa RicaGuatemalaHondurasJamaicaUnited States
Africa1 region
introduced (1)Cabo Verde
Broader regions
native:Yugoslavia
introduced:British Columbia, Brazil Southeast, Brazil South, California, Cape Provinces, Arkansas, Connecticut, Colorado, Bermuda, Delaware, East Himalaya, Chile Central, Illinois, Indiana, Juan Fernández Is.
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 4c31ff42-d548-489c-a13f-0e05d4ec9b91
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