'Needlepoint' ivy guide
Hedera helix 'Needlepoint', also called needlepoint English ivy, bird's foot ivy
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- When the top 2 to 3 cm (1 in) of soil is dry
- Humidity
- Above average. Dry, warm air invites spider mites.
- Temperature
- 10 to 21°C (50 to 70°F). It likes a cool room.
- Soil
- Well-draining houseplant mix
- Feeding
- Half-strength fertilizer monthly in spring and summer
- Pets
- Toxic to cats and dogs. Causes vomiting, drooling, and diarrhea.
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Mature size
- Trails 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 ft)
- Propagation
- Stem cuttings in water or soil
- Where to buy
- Common
This page covers what makes 'Needlepoint' ivy different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the English ivy care guide.
What it is
‘Needlepoint’ is an English ivy with small, deep-cut leaves. Each leaf has narrow, pointed lobes, like a bird’s foot. The leaves sit close together, so the plant looks dense and fine. Select-A-Plant lists it at 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 ft).
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Needlepoint’ | Small, narrow, pointed lobes | Thin, pointed fingers |
| ‘Glacier’ ivy | Small, silver and cream | Pale color on the leaves |
| English ivy | Larger, broad three-lobed leaves | Wider leaves with blunt lobes |
Care differences
Care is the same as any English ivy. Its small, dense leaves make it a good choice for topiary forms and small pots.
Grow it from a cutting
Cut a stem with a few leaves. Root it in water or moist soil. Roots form in one to two weeks.
Buying it
‘Needlepoint’ is common at garden centers. Look for dense growth with no webbing or speckled leaves. Those signs point to spider mites.