Question
Hi.  I have brought home five or six ivy plants in the past six months and cannot keep any of them alive for more than a few months.  I have two that I just recently purchased less than one month ago and are still in their original containers.  One is very, very limp and seems like it needs watered although the soil remains very moist.

On the other plant, many of the leaves have dried up although new growth has occurred.  The top of the soil has a white stain to it.  I cannot detect any bugs; however, most of the leaves appear to be covered with a fine, almost undetectabele, "spider webby" substance.  

I water both plants when the soil appears dry and they both recieve medium, indirect light.

I would love to keep one of these plants alive past the age of two months!!!  I would appreciate any advice you may have.  Thanks!  

Answer
Hi Leah,

I hear your frustration with your Hedera ivies. Until they are established in their new environment, they can be very difficult plants. They are very particular about soil moisture and not very forgiving of even occasional watering lapses.

First let me commend you for keeping your ivies in their original pots. They do not take well to having their roots disturbed and rarely need repotting.

Second, Hederas do best if they get a few hours of direct sun each day and lots of bright indirect for the rest of the day. They can survive lower light, but the watering is a lot trickier. Right on a north or east windowsill is a good location.

Third, Hedera ivies should be watered when the surface of the soil gets completely dry. Then water them thoroughly. You must feel the soil to make this determination.

Once a plant goes limp and the soil is still moist, then that is a sure sign that the roots are rotting and no longer able to absorb water. It is hard for ivies to recover once that happens, so try not to let it get to that point.

Last, but not least, Hedera ivies are very susceptible to spider mites, the source of those tiny webs that you are seeing. By the time the webs are visible, the infestation is pretty severe. The best treatment for spider mites on a Hedera ivy is to swirl it around upside down in a sink filled with soapy water. However, given the overall condition of your Hedera, I am not convinced it is worth the effort.

Give your self a break and start from scratch with a new ivy. Inspect it carefully for little specks of dust-like particles on the undersides of the leaves before you buy it. Those are spider mites. Then, follow my recommendations for light and water and I think you can have better success in the future.

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

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

Visit my web site at www.HorticulturalHelp.com

If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.