Goldchild English Ivy

Goldchild English Ivy (Hedera helix 'Goldchild') is the compact variegated ivy for gardeners who want ground covered without losing light. It holds about 30cm high and creeps to roughly 1.5m across, with small grey green leaves edged in a broad gold band.

Why you'll love it

• Colour without flowers. The gold margin is part of the leaf, so the bed looks the same in July as in October.
• Low and spreading, not rampant. It grows slowly and holds around 30cm high, so it fills a bed rather than swallowing one.
• Hardy where others sulk. Frost hardy, drought tolerant once established, wind tolerant, and it accepts poor soil.
• Two plants in one. Left flat it covers ground. Given a post or wall it climbs to 2m or more.
• Very little upkeep. One shear a year is close to the whole job.

Where it works best

Groundcover under trees and shrubs. Plant 50cm apart in a staggered grid, which closes into a continuous mat without hard competition for water.

Borders and edging. A single line 50cm apart holds a clean path edge, and the gold reads clearly against paving and mulch.

Slopes and retaining walls. Stems root as they run, knitting loose soil on a batter. Along the top of a wall it spills down the face.

Pots and containers. It suits a wide bowl on its own, or trails around a taller plant.

Growing Goldchild English Ivy in Australia

Position and climate. A plant for cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens, in full sun to part shade. The variegation shows best with a few hours of direct light and looks flatter in deep shade. It is not suited to tropical or arid gardens.

Soil. Any reasonable soil works, including thin or rocky ground, provided it drains. Dig compost through the top 200mm before planting and mulch to 50mm, clear of the stems.

Water and feed. Water twice a week through the first summer to get roots down, then only in long dry spells. Controlled release fertiliser once in early spring is enough for the year.

Pruning. Shear it back in late winter to keep the mat dense and stop runners straying. It reshoots readily from cut stems, so you can be firm with it.

What to expect when it arrives

It is supplied in one size, a 200mm pot sold as a pack of six. Six plants at 50cm spacing cover roughly one and a half square metres. Plants arrive established with runners already started.

Orders are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Expect visible new runners within four to six weeks in the growing season, and useful cover by the end of the second season. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full groundcover range
• See more variegated foliage plants
• Choosing a groundcover for your conditions
• Why variegated leaves behave differently

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Fifty centimetres apart, staggered rather than in straight rows. A pack of six covers a small bed and the plants knit together within two seasons.

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. Ivy, including this selection, is toxic to cats and dogs if chewed, and the sap can irritate skin. Choose a different groundcover if you have a pet that grazes garden beds.

Will it climb a fence or wall?

Yes, if you let it. Given a wall, post or frame it climbs to 2m or more using clinging roots. Keep it off painted timber and soft render unless you are prepared to pull it back each year.