Hedera GoldHeart - Gold hearted Ivy | How to Grow

Hedera helix 'Goldheart' is one of the more popular of the evergreen variegated Ivies. A young plant - as bought at the nursery or garden centre - will have the typical ivy-leaf shaped foliage - somewhat small and dainty.

Once planted out and growing well, the new leaves will increase in size and change shape to the adult form of Ivy leaf - more heart-shape. This is when the Hedera Goldheart really shines.

This Ivy - as with most - is an evergreen, self-clinging climber for a wall or other solid structure. It adheres to walls by aerial roots, so is not suited to fragile brickwork – unless wanting to hide it. It will need to be trained up trellis if that is where you want it to grow. If this is the case, make sure that the trellis is sturdy and preservative treated before planting the Ivy. Once started, it is a vigorous plant, and will not take kindly to being removed from any trellis - if you can! 

Evergreen Variegated Ivy with good golden yellow splashes on leaf centres.

 Where to Grow Hedera ‘Goldheart’

Grow in part shade for the best effect, though a situation with full sun is also an option. Hedera Gold Heart can also be used as colourful evergreen groundcover over any unsightly object. If grown along the ground, then it will tend to lose a bit of its variegation – with some of the foliage reverting to the all-green parentage. Cut out all of the green sections, for they will be more vigorous than the variegated sections and soon spoil the effect.

It is a superb evergreen plant in an outdoor hanging basket for the winter. Select a well-grown one, for it will not put on any growth throughout the winter months. Do not use one that has been grown as a houseplant for this purpose unless fully acclimatized for a few months beforehand. Summer baskets and containers no problem, for the ivy will grow during this period.

Propagation of Goldheart Ivy

All of the Ivies are easy to propagate by layering directly into the soil or the container compost. You can layer a shoot or two by pegging a young shoot down to the ground and separating when rooted. The ivies can also be increased by tip cuttings and root for normal cuttings.

A method which also works, is by selecting a long young shoot, severing from the main plant and spiral the shoot around a pot of compost – making sure that the stem is slightly buried, with the foliage above soil level.

As with most evergreen climber plants, it will probably be slow. But once rooted, it should grow well especially if fed well - though not overdone.

Pests Diseases

If grown as a houseplant, then scale or red spider will probably be a problem at some time. If Goldheart Ivy is grown in a dry situation outdoors, you will also need to be aware of red spider and scale - but to a lesser extent.

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