This study presents a powerful and new modeling variant of bio-inspired algorithms, namely, the Ivy algorithm (IVYA), drawn from the growth patterns of ivy plants. The algorithm simulates the coordinated and ordered population growth and the spreading and evolution of ivy plants. The growth rate of ivy plants is modeled using a differential equation and a data-intensive experimental process. The algorithm utilizes the knowledge of nearby ivy plants to determine the direction of growth. Additionally, the algorithm mimics the behavior of ivy plants in nature by choosing the closest and most vital neighbor for self-improvement. The IVYA's unique characteristics of preserving population diversity and its simplicity and flexibility allow for easy modification and extension, thus enabling researchers and practitioners to explore various modifications and techniques to enhance its performance and capabilities. These are the basic needs in optimizing engineering problems. The IVYA is compared with ten other algorithms on 26 classical test functions, demonstrating superior performance. Furthermore, the effectiveness of IVYA is shown by solving 12 engineering optimization problems and comparing the results with various optimization algorithms. The experimental results highlight the efficacy and competitiveness of the IVYA in solving optimization problems.
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