Hedera is the Latin name for ivy. There are about 10 species of ivy from Europe, temperate Asia, North Africa, the Canary Islands and the Azores, but the most familiar and the only one to really thrive indoors is Hedera helix. Outdoors other species are used as ground cover, and to cover walls and fences. As climbers they can quickly clothe bare surroundings provided you choose a vigorous variety. The stems bear aerial roots which cling to nearby surfaces such as wallpaper and woodwork.
Ivies are also useful as trailers in hanging baskets or as ground cover between larger plants.
They do not, however, deserve their reputation as an easy plant. They suffer in heated homes and may require regular misting in some homes, otherwise the leaf tips will turn brown. Ivy topiary has again become popular as the ivy grows over the shape when the side shoots are clipped regularly to produce a dense cover. Plants like to rest in the winter and require less water. Brown leaf tips result from dry air.