Question
QUESTION: I purchased three english ivy houseplants one month ago.  Two are doing great, one is not.  They are all in the same place above my kitchen cabinets.  They are in eight inch pots, with lots of light in my kitchen, though the plants are closer to the ceiling so they are not in direct sunlight.  I haven't repotted them or moved them, other than onto my porch once a week for watering.  One started turning dark around the edges of the leaves about a week ago, the leaves are curling up and falling off.  Only certain "stems" are being affected.  When I looked at it closely I realized that some, from root to tip, are darkening, browning, and loosing leaves and others are still green and healthy from root to tip.  I noticed a few small webs on the leaves which would indicate spider mites I assume, but I read that mites turn the leaves yellow and make holes in them, which I have not seen happening to my plant.  The other two are doing great in the same location which makes me wonder how they do not have the mites, if that is the case?  Any suggestions on reviving my plant?

ANSWER: Hi Shasta,

The primary problem is that your Hedera ivies are not getting enough light. The tops of most kitchen cabinets are as high as the nearby windows and most of the window light shines in a downward direction. Hedera ivies need to be right in a north or east window where they can get lots of very bright indirect light all day with a few hours of direct sun.

Without adequate light, other bad things start to happen. In poor light, the plants stop growing and using much water. So root rot often sets in and I suspect that is happening with one of your ivies. Eventually all of them will go unless you provide better light.

Any stems that have started to turn brown should be trimmed off.

Spider mites look like little tiny specks of white dust on the undersides of leaves. They make very fine webs that are more visible after a plant is misted lightly. They give the leaves a mottled appearance, but they do not make holes. If you have mites on one ivy, eventually they will spread to the others. It is best to treat them by spraying all of them very thoroughly with a solution of soap and water.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC


     




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Are there any houseplants that do not require direct sunlight that I could place above my cabinets?  They look so nice up there, but I don't want to kill them and I'd rather not have artificial ones.  Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Shasta,

Your best bet is a Pothos. It is a low, vining plant, like your ivy, and it requires less light than the ivy. Without actually seeing the location, I cannot be sure it will have enough light for a Pothos, but it probably does. There is no other plant that will fit that space and survive in low light. Hope that works for you.

Regards,
Will Creed