Mature plants will bear greenish-white flowers. The fruit is berry-like and black. Poultices for cuts and sores are made from the leaves. However, an allergic reaction can occur in sensitive people. Secondary compounds within the leaves may be natural product pesticides for insects and mollusks.
English ivy outcompetes both grasses, herbs and trees, often reducing animal feeding habitats.
In warm areas, H. helix can grow throughout the year and probably outcompetes native vegetation that is dormant during the winter. In Australia, English ivy is found in disturbed areas of the forest. Seeds are often spread into these areas by birds or other animals. H. helix is a pest in Europe but only in disturbed habitats. Cutting is successful with persistence but does not always kill the plant.