Soft gradations
Green and cream areas are distributed irregularly across the leaves, rather than forming an identical border on every blade.
Hedera ‘Mint Kolibri’ 13cm
Normal price
€6,50
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Hedera helix ‘Mint Kolibri’
It took “stay right there” very loosely 🙃
- Mint-green foliage
- Small lobed leaves
- Clinging aerial roots
- Trailing stems
Hedera helix ‘Mint Kolibri’ brightens the familiar ivy silhouette with a soft palette that looks almost painted onto its foliage. Mint green, fresh lime and cream meet across small lobed leaves, creating gentle gradations rather than a sharp colour contrast. Flexible, branching stems let the pattern unfold in different directions. Each growing tip adds a light brushstroke, while every leaf retains its own small variation.
The pale foliage stands out against natural stone, dark wood or a simple single-coloured pot. Along a planter's edge it creates a soft trailing finish; trained onto a small frame, it takes on a more upright line. It is a subtle detail that connects larger foliage within a composition and keeps close-up interest throughout the year.
What makes it special
Colour, branching and the choice of support reveal three different aspects of the same cultivar.
Small-leaved detail
Juvenile leaves usually have three to five lobes, with small differences in their length and pointedness.
A line shaped by placement
Stems trail freely or are guided onto a support. They do not form a self-supporting shrub on their own.
Why you will love it: it brings light and delicate movement to the edges of a composition, where large foliage might look heavy.
In the garden & on the balcony Placement & plant combinations Bright partial shade, a low support or freely trailing tips.
Edges and low frames
Choose bright partial shade or gentle morning sun, with shelter from hot afternoon exposure. Place in front of taller foliage and let the tips fall beyond the planter. For an upright composition, use a low, rough wooden frame and guide stems with loose ties until they establish their hold.
Dark backgrounds, fine lines
These combinations suit cool partial shade and moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. In pots, check each plant's watering needs separately.
- Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ — dark, broad leaves create a calm background for mint and cream.
- Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ — narrow, arching blades echo the pale palette with a different texture.
- Polystichum setiferum — larger green fern fronds add depth behind the slender stems.
Care at a glance
Light
Bright partial shade and gentle morning sun. Protect from intense summer sunshine.
Watering
Water as the surface begins to dry, allowing full drainage. Check more often in heat and in small pots.
Climate & hardiness
An evergreen cultivar for sheltered outdoor positions. Protect the pot's root system particularly during severe frost.
Safety
Harmful if eaten and potentially irritating to skin. Wear gloves for pruning and keep away from leaf-chewing pets.
Detailed careComplete care guideMoisture without stagnation, suitable support and selective pruning.
Planting and soil
Plant at the same depth in humus-rich soil or an open, freely draining potting mix. Avoid places where water stands around the base.
Water for the position
Do not let the root ball dry completely during establishment. Later, check the surface before watering; rain, shade and winter reduce demand.
Support without pressure
Ivy clings with small aerial roots rather than twining like honeysuckle. Guide tips onto a rough surface using soft ties, and avoid loose or damaged plaster.
Pruning and variegation
Shorten selected long tips in spring or during active growth. Remove any completely green shoot at its origin so it does not cover the variegated foliage.
Gentle feeding
In a pot, use balanced foliage fertiliser at the lower label rate during active growth. Do not feed a freshly pre-fertilised mix or a plant stressed by heat or drought.
Seasonal protection
Provide ventilation without hot, drying wind. During prolonged frost, move the pot to a sheltered position. In hot, dry weather, inspect leaf undersides for spider mites.
Development over timeFrom fresh tips to interlaced foliageBranching fills the low support while free tips continue downwards.
1. Establishment
Roots settle into the new soil and the first growing tips find their direction. The frame is still clearly visible between stems.
2. Lateral branching
New side shoots create additional layers of foliage. Those touching a suitable surface can attach, while the others trail.
3. A low mature composition
For compact, low-level use, allow around 10–50cm in height and spread, shaped to suit the support. This range describes that use, rather than an absolute limit on every freely extending stem.
Mature habit & dimensions
Low mature useHeight 10–50cmSpread 10–50cmOn a low support
Low training: the frame directs coverage while lateral tips remain free.
Form through time
DevelopmentEvergreenSide shootsVariegated leaves
EstablishmentFew tips, a visible frame.
Denser coverageNew leaf layers and free tips.
The foliage remains evergreen. These are two branching stages, not winter leaf loss or guaranteed flowering.
What to expect after planting: expect more growing tips first, followed by denser coverage. The final appearance depends on light, available root space and the route given to the stems.
History & origin Cultivar origin The 1986 Danish introduction and the name ‘Minty’.
The history of Hedera helix ‘Mint Kolibri’ is linked to Maegaard Nurseries in Ringe, Denmark, which introduced the cultivar in 1986. The name Hedera helix ‘Minty’ is also established for the same selection and aptly reflects its cool foliage palette.
A possible connection with Hedera helix ‘Schaefer Three’, through a naturally occurring shoot change, has been suggested, but remains a hypothesis rather than an established pedigree. This particular history distinguishes ‘Mint Kolibri’ from plain ‘Kolibri’, despite their similar names.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forThe microstructure of attachment and the different roles of roots.
Attachment in four steps
In Hedera helix, attachment combines root contact with a surface, conformity to its texture, adhesive secretion from root hairs and changes in their shape. Support results from structure and chemistry working together.
Attachment and feeding roots
Short attachment roots form on the side of the stem facing the support. When a shoot contacts soil, it can develop different, branched feeding roots. Climbing does not mean parasitising the supporting plant.
Frequently asked questions
About the name, placement and keeping the foliage bright.
01Is it the same as ‘Minty’?
Yes, ‘Mint Kolibri’ is used for the same cultivar as ‘Minty’. The similar name alone does not make it identical to plain ‘Kolibri’.
02Should it trail or climb?
Either approach works. Climbing requires a suitable surface and initial guidance; in a hanging position, leave space for the tips.
03Why are new leaves a different colour?
The proportions of mint, green and cream vary naturally between leaves and with conditions. A completely green shoot may need selective removal.
04Can it stay indoors?
It can grow in a bright, cool, ventilated position away from heating. A hot, dark interior is not the best permanent location.
05Does it lose its leaves in winter?
It is evergreen. Severe cold, drying wind or root problems can cause damage, so protect the pot particularly carefully.
06Is it suitable near pets?
Not where they can chew it. Remember that a cat or dog may also reach the trailing tips.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.