Cymbalaria Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 22nd Oct 2023

In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Cymbalaria plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.

At a Glance: Cymbalaria

Plant Characteristics: Cymbalaria plants sport small, ivy-like leaves and delicate flowers. Their ability to gracefully cover walls and crevices gives gardens a timeless, fairy-tale charm.
Ideal Growing Conditions: They prefer partial shade, especially in hot climates, and thrive in well-draining soil. They're versatile and can adapt to various soil types.
General Care: Although relatively low-maintenance, ensure they're watered in prolonged dry spells. They self-seed easily, so occasional control might be required.
Tips for New Gardeners: Ivy-leaved Toadflax can make an excellent choice for novices due to its easy-going nature. Its rapid spread can be an advantage for coverage, but be aware that it can out-compete most plants and be a challenge to control. You may wish to grow this in a controlled area. As this plant can be invasive, be sure to check local regulations before growing it.

Ivy Leaved Toadflax, Kenilworth Ivy, and Climbing Sailor: Cultivation & Garden Use

Although Cymbalaria plants are half hardy perennials, these ivies are normally grown as half hardy annuals by gardeners. They are low growing and love to grow in walls and rock crevices.

Plants have purple and yellow tubular flowers that bloom in the middle of summer.

Some of the common names for Cymbalaria include Kenilworth Ivy, Ivy leaved toadflax and Coliseum Ivy.

Ivy-leaved Toadflax
Ivy-leaved Toadflax by Franco Folini; creative commons.

How to grow Kenilworth Ivy and Ivy Leaved Toadflax (Cymbalaria)

If you are planting members of the Cymbalaria genus such as Kenilworth Ivy and Ivy Leaved Toadflax from seed outdoors, then they should be sown on the soil surface after the last frost of spring.

They like to grow in sunny areas, but benefit greatly from receiving shade in very hot areas.

Cymbalaria like to grow in moist soil that has a somewhat alkaline pH.

Seedlings of Kenilworth Ivy, and other Cymbalaria species, can be started early by growing from seed indoors first.

They should be started off about 10 weeks before you plant them out, following the last frost of spring.

They normally take about two to four weeks to germinate in the light, at a temperature of 15 to 18 degrees Celsius (59 to 64°F).

Once the Cymbalaria seedlings are ready, they should be transplanted outside with a spacing of about 15 cm (6 inches).

Cymbalaria muralis
Cymbalaria muralis by Ecología de Comunidades y Conservación.

Caring for Cymbalaria in the Garden

These ivies take very little looking after. They should be watered regularly, and cut back and dead headed before any chance of setting seed, to help prevent them from taking over the garden.

Commonly Grown Cymbalaria Species Photographs and Plant Identification

Cymbalaria muralis

Cymbalaria muralis
Cymbalaria muralis (Ivy-leaved Toadflax / Kenilworth Ivy), photograph by Andreas Rockstein; CC.

Cymbalaria pallida

Cymbalaria pallida
Cymbalaria pallida (Italian toadflax), picture by Babij; CC.

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Cymbalaria Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Ivy Leaved Toadflax, Kenilworth Ivy, Climbing Sailor, Ivy Lobelia.
Life Cycle: Half hardy perennial usually grown as a half hardy annual by gardeners.
Family: Plantaginaceae.
Height: 2 inches (5 cm).
Native: Southern Europe.
Growing Region: Zones 5 to 9.
Flowers: Summer.
Flower Details: White, purple, lilac. Tubular. Snapdragon-like.
Foliage: Herbaceous. Ivy-like. Evergreen. Heart-shaped. Lobed. Glossy.
Sow Outside: Surface. Following last frost. Spacing: 6 inches (15 cm).
Sow Inside: Germination time: two to four weeks in the light. Temperature 60°F (15°C). Ten weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors following the last frost.
Requirements: Full sunlight or light shade. Soil pH 7 to 8. Gritty soil. Moist soil. Occasional feed. Propagate: dividing rootball or cuttings in spring.
Miscellaneous: Before fertilization plants move towards the light; after fertilization plants move away from the light. This enables seed to be dropped in cooler darker places, especially useful to plants when growing in rock wall crevices.

Common Questions

How many members does the Cymbalaria genus have?

The Cymbalaria genus contains about 10 species, most of which are creeping plants with small, snapdragon-like flowers.

Do members of Cymbalaria make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Yes, Cymbalaria species, such as Cymbalaria muralis (Ivy-leaved Toadflax), are excellent for ground covers, rock gardens, and trailing over walls.

Which Cymbalaria species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

Cymbalaria muralis, with its profuse, miniature snapdragon-like flowers, is the most commonly cultivated species in this genus.

Are members of the Cymbalaria plant genus fragrant?

While not known for their fragrance, Cymbalaria plants are more appreciated for their attractive foliage and delicate blooms.

What is the perfect location to grow Cymbalaria?

Cymbalaria plants prefer part shade to full sun and well-drained soil. They're excellent for growing in crevices or draping over walls.

Is Cymbalaria invasive in the USA?

At present, Cymbalaria is not classified as invasive in the USA. It can spread in favorable conditions but is usually manageable.

How do I remove Cymbalaria plants from my garden?

To remove Cymbalaria, simply pull up the plants. Ensure all roots are removed to prevent regrowth.

Summary

The Cymbalaria genus, part of the Plantaginaceae family, is native to Mediterranean Europe. Also known as ivy-leaved toadflax or Kenilworth ivy, these perennial plants are renowned for their small, ivy-like leaves and tiny snapdragon-like flowers that bloom from spring to fall.

To cultivate Cymbalaria, plant them in a shaded to partially shaded location with well-drained soil. They can be grown from seeds or plants. Regular watering is necessary, but they are quite drought-tolerant once established. Due to their creeping habit, they are often used as ground cover or in rock gardens, often charmingly spreading between crevices.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Cymbalaria plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Antirrhinum majus, Sparaxis, and Digitalis plants.

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