Question
Ten years ago my wife took a cutting of Ivy from her wedding bouquet, put it in water and started a house plant.  The plant started to die recently. I don't know what kind of Ivy it is. The leaves are drying up and falling off. She repotted it but it doesn't seem to have helped. I don't see any  sign of infestation. She hasn't changed anything else.
Is there anything we can do to save it?
Light- south east window.
last repotted - 4-12-05 8" to 12" pot  

Answer
Hi Chris,

A happy ten years to you and your wife!. Ten years is a long time to keep an ivy, so it may have just run its natural course.

Without knowing your wife's watering routine, it is hard for me to give a specific answer. However, I suspect that gradual overwatering may have caused the roots to slowly rot. Ivies do not tolerate overwatering at all.

Moving the plant into a larger pot was definitely a mistake. Ailing plants should never be repotted. The much larger pot is almost a guarantee that the roots will now rot, if they weren't already.

I suspect thatit is already too late. However, if you want to make an heroic effort, then she should unpot the plant, remove the excess soil, and look for firm, healthy roots. If she finds some, then put the plant into the smallest pot that the roots will fit into and be careful not to overwater.

If you would like to e-mail me a photo I will identify the type of ivy for you.

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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