How to Identify Poison Ivy

Follow these tips for identifying and then getting rid of this bothersome plant.

Poison Ivy, Toxicodendron radicans

Toxicodendron radicans (03) Leaf

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is commonly found on fences and walls or may grow up the trunks of trees.

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is commonly found on fences and walls or may grow up the trunks of trees.

I’ve known the phrase "leaves of three, let it be" since I was a little kid. But as it turns out, a lot of harmless plants – like aromatic sumac (skunkbush), Virginia creeper and boxelder – are commonly mistaken for poison ivy. So how can we tell which is which, whether we’re tromping through the woods or puttering in our own backyards?

Tips to Identify Poison Ivy

  • Poison ivy likes to climb. It’s commonly found on fences and walls or may grow up the trunks of trees.

  • It has a versatile shape. You may see poison ivy growing as a shrub, as a single plant, as ground cover or as a thick wall of green.

  • Check the vine. Thick, hairy vines are a hallmark of poison ivy plants. Virginia creeper vines are also thick, but will be covered in light-colored tendrils rather than rough hair.

  • Look for berries. Poison ivy vines will sprout small opaque white or yellowish berries that look like tiny pumpkins. The berries of a Virginia creeper are blue-black, while skunkbush berries are dark red and hairy.
Hairy stem of Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)

Poison ivy has thick, hairy vines.

Photo by: Shutterstock/Nikolay Kurzenko

Shutterstock/Nikolay Kurzenko

Poison ivy has thick, hairy vines.

Poison Ivy Leaves

Poison ivy’s leaves have some defining characteristics to help you tell them apart from those of other plants:

Poisonous Plant

Poison Ivy

The old adage of "leaflet three, let it be" provides a clue to identifying poison ivy, which has three leaflets comprising each leaf.

Photo by: Julie Martens Forney

Julie Martens Forney

The old adage of "leaflet three, let it be" provides a clue to identifying poison ivy, which has three leaflets comprising each leaf.

  • Poison ivy will always have three leaflets at the end of a long stem. Virginia creeper actually has five leaves per stem, though younger plants may only show three. Boxelder sometimes has three leaves early in spring, but will have five to seven later in the season accompanied by "helicopter" seeds.

  • Poison ivy leaves follow a distinctive leaflet pattern. You’ll see one main leaflet at the end of each leaf stalk, with two smaller leaflets opposite one another below it on very short stalks. Sometimes the two opposite leaflets are shaped like mittens.

  • Poison ivy leaflets can be smooth, rounded or spiny. They are green in the early season but will turn bright red in the fall. Poison ivy leaves are often waxy and shiny, but may appear dull, particularly after it rains.

If you’ve identified poison ivy in your yard, you can consider letting it be and teaching your family to avoid it. Humans are the only animals bothered by poison ivy, and if it’s not in an area where people regularly walk or play, you may be better off just leaving it alone and instructing children and guests to steer clear rather than handling it.

If you’re not willing to live with poison ivy, try the following:

  • Wearing gloves and long sleeves, pull out the plants. Plan to pull out again soon as the first pass will likely not get it all.

  • Or, use a commercial herbicide concentrated to three times the potency of normal (you’ll need the extra power!). Both chemical-based and organic herbicides can kill poison ivy.

  • Either method will be more effective if you dig 8-10 inches into the ground to remove the roots. Wear gloves and long sleeves, as the plant’s roots can also contain irritants.

  • After digging or pulling out poison ivy, consider laying down newspapers and/or mulch to smother any remaining vines or seeds.

Note: Wearing gloves and long sleeves is crucial while working with poison ivy, even if you don’t think you’re allergic to the plant. Sensitivities can develop over time. Take care not to touch your face or any other part of your body with the contaminated gloves.

More Advice

How to Kill Poison Ivy

Five strategies for getting rid of poison ivy.

Before you wash your hands, rinse them with white vinegar, mineral spirits or alcohol. Then wash well with cold, soapy water. The faster you rinse your skin with cool water, the less chance you’ll be affected by the poison ivy. Remember that your clothes and shoes will be contaminated, and will need to be washed!

Next Up

Trumpet Vine Is a Beautiful But Invasive Plant

This perennial will give you flowers and attract swarms of hummingbirds all summer, but you’ll need to watch that it doesn’t take over your yard.

How to Kill Poison Ivy in Your Yard

Discover five strategies for getting rid of poison ivy.

How to Identify and Get Rid of Poison Oak Plants

Learn how to recognize and eradicate noxious poison oak from your landscaping.

How to Grow Wisteria

The gorgeous flowering wisteria vine can lend romantic beauty to your garden. Just be aware of what type of wisteria plant you are growing and how to best manage these gorgeous deciduous vines.

Clematis: A Shade Garden Superstar

Short on sun? Browse the seemingly endless options for this woody blooming vine.

Evergreen Clematis

Beautiful year-round, this glossy-leaf vine is a blooming wonder in early spring.

Poison Plants: Identifying Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac

Exercise extreme caution when it comes to these and some other common plants around your home and garden.

Growing American Wisteria

Keep this breathtaking flowering vine in check by choosing the native variety.

Morning Glory Flower

Give your garden some high-flying color with morning glory vine, an easy-growing annual climber that shoots for the stars.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV