Duckfoot Ivy

Duckfoot Ivy (Hedera helix 'Duckfoot')

Duckfoot Ivy is a miniature English ivy with tiny, lobed leaves shaped like duck feet and a dense, trailing habit; ideal for small-scale coverage, topiary frames, and container edges in bright shade to shade.

Distinctive Features

Compact internodes and petite, three-lobed leaves create a fine-textured carpet that stays neat, making this cultivar perfect for bonsai, fairy gardens, and tight spaces.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade; protect from hot afternoon sun in warm regions.
• Soil: Moist, well-drained loam enriched with organic matter; tolerates a range if drainage is adequate.
• Water: Moderate; keep evenly moist to establish, then water during extended dry spells.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9.
• Mature Size: 2 to 4 in tall as a groundcover; trailing stems 6 to 10 ft with support or spill.
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral, about 6.0 to 7.2.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Miniature lobed leaves add refined texture in small gardens and containers.
• Groundcover: Dense mat suppresses weeds under shrubs and along paths.
• Topiary/Frames: Fine growth clips cleanly to forms and small trellises.
• Containers: Trails elegantly from pots, window boxes, and troughs.
• Fairy/Bonsai Scenes: Scaled foliage suits miniature landscapes.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Deeply water new plantings; reduce frequency once established while avoiding prolonged drought.
• Pruning: Shear or pinch to maintain edges and forms; remove unwanted climbers from trunks, siding, and gutters.
• Fertilizing: Top-dress with compost in spring or apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer.
• Mulching: 1 to 2 in organic mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, keeping stems clear.
• Notes: Monitor spread in mild climates; watch for spider mites and scale in dry exposures and improve airflow if crowding occurs.

Why Choose Duckfoot Ivy?

• Miniature Texture: Tiny lobed leaves deliver precise, tidy detail.
• Versatile Habit: Carpets, trails, or trains on small supports.
• Shade Ready: Performs where turf and many perennials struggle.
• Easy Care: Simple edging and routine moisture keep it neat.
• Design Friendly: Scales perfectly for containers, topiary, and small gardens.

Site in shade to part shade with amended, well-drained soil, irrigate to establish, and clip lightly through the season to showcase its neat, miniature foliage.