Question
I have a swedish ivy and also have very hard water.The old leaves  are very pale green,new ones are very green,It's hanging in a bathroom window,(that's protected from direct sun)and is about 5ft.long also in about a 12inch pot.Can I add something to our hard water to
help it??? Thank-you!

Answer
Hi Sylvia,

If the new growth is a healthy green color, then I am not sure that your hard water is a problem. It is quite normal for older leaves to gradually fade in color and die back as the stems become longer and longer.

If a stem gets more pale leaves than you want to see, then it is best to prune that stem back to within a few inches of the soil. New growth will emerge at the end of the cut-back stem and it should be a healthy green color. The cuttings can be rooted easily in water.

Although there are additives to soften hard water, those additives (water softeners) are bad for plants. The remedy is to use filtered, distilled or rainwater instead.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
   
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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

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