English ivy plants, with the scientific name Hedera helix, are also referred to as ivy or European ivy, of the family Araliaceae. These woody, evergreen vines are native to most of Europe, parts of Russia, and western Asia. They are superb climbers and are often grown as a green covering for brick walls, and on the buildings of Ivy League college campuses. They are easy to cultivate and maintain, but may also be prone to diseases and could end up dying unless you act promptly to revive them.
How to save a dying English ivy
If your English ivy has brown leaves:
Water the plants at least once a week; this is optimal for most climates as it allows the soil to dry out between waterings. If you are in a place with a dry climate and low humidity, adjust the watering schedule so that you water when the soil’s surface feels dry, but the soil has not dried out completely at the roots.
If the ivy is potted, water until you see excess water coming out from the drainage holes at the base of the pots. This means the water has reached the roots.
Place the plants in appropriately-sized pots, since a large pot has more capacity and can retain more moisture in high temperatures. This also prevents the roots from becoming pot-bound and gives them more access to nutrients. Cut back any brown leaves to stimulate new growth.
If your English ivy is turning yellow from overwatering:
Scale back on watering to just once a week to allow the soil to dry out between waterings. The plants should be planted in pots with drainage holes to avoid the soil from being saturated with moisture and for excess water to escape. Avoid drip trays, as they collect water underneath the pot and the soil remains saturated. This can cause the plants to turn yellow and die back.
If watering the plants indoors, place the pots in the sink after watering and ensure that excess water is not pooling or underneath the pots, as this keeps the soil too damp.
Without water stress, the plants should recover soon enough, but if the soil is persistently damp it will be difficult to revive the dying plants. Cut back any yellow foliage to encourage new growth.
If your English ivy has turned yellow due to lack of fertilizer:
English ivy plants require nitrogen, among other nutrients, to stay green and healthy. If this nutrient is lacking in the soil, the plants will stop growing and the leaves will turn yellow and die off. The lack of nitrogen could be because the plants have been growing in the same pot for a long period and the roots have already exhausted the soil of nutrients. It could also be because the pot is too small for the plants and the roots have become pot-bound, which prevents them from accessing nitrogen and other nutrients.
If English ivy in a pot is turning yellow:
Transplant the plants to larger pots or containers and use fresh potting soil. The fresh soil provides nutrients and will help your plants to recover. Larger pots contain more soil and the roots will have greater access to nitrogen and other nutrients without being pot-bound. Cut back any yellow foliage to stimulate new growth.
Reasons your English ivy is dying
It could be due to overwatering.
English ivy plants prefer slightly dry soil. If you are overwatering them, the plant roots will become too wet and may drown, which could lead to a fungal disease called root rot. This disease prevents the plants from getting enough nutrients and water from the soil, leading to brown leaves that are wilted at the edges.
Allow the soil to dry out and ensure that the top inch of soil is dry to the touch before you water the plants again. Be sure that the pots have drainage holes so that excess water can drain away and does not stay stagnant in the soil. Place a piece of wire mesh at the bottom of the pots to help the drainage holes remain unclogged.
It could be due to over-fertilizing.
English ivy does not really need fertilizing, although it may be useful to feed it with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. However, too much fertilizer could build up in the soil, resulting in burned leaf edges that are crispy and dry.
It could be due to incorrect lighting conditions.
English ivy plants thrive in medium to bright light, depending on whether you have a variegated or an all-green variety. No ivy variety can tolerate direct sunlight, and young plants need special attention. Try to keep the plants away from bright and direct light, and do not leave young plants on windowsills all day. Keeping the plants in a dark location, on the other hand, will slow their growth, and if the area is too dark the plants may eventually start to die.
It could be due to low humidity or very dry air.
English ivy plants prefer moderate humidity levels where the air is moist. They can also thrive in normal low levels of humidity, but dry air could result in brown leaf edges. Provide air circulation for your plants and avoid overcrowding. Try to put the plants in the bathroom where the air is moist, or consider misting your plants for extra moisture.
You can also use a humidity tray, from which water evaporates and raises the humidity level around the plants.
The temperature may be too high.
English ivy plants prefer cool to moderate temperatures, since they are originally from central and northern Europe where there is a cool climate. Hot room temperatures are damaging for the plants, so make sure to keep the temperature between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during daytime and around five to 10 degrees Fahrenheit lower at night. Place your plants in a separate room or somewhere where they can stay cool, such as a bathroom.
It could be due to pests.
Pest infestation is possible if your plants are underwatered or if you rarely give them a thorough wash. When plants have insufficient water, they are under stress and become more prone to pests and diseases. Also, if you rarely wash your plants, dust and pests can accumulate behind the leaves.
Common pests in these plants are spider mites, and they are easily recognized by their little webs under the leaves. These pests suck out the plant juices and make the leaves look dry and brown. Try placing the plants in the shower and letting the water run over them for a few minutes to wash off the pests. You may also use a dishwashing liquid and water solution and spray it on the plants.
It could be due to mineral build-up.
Using tap water when watering your plants could lead to mineral build-up, since this type of water is high in mineral salts. These could accumulate in the soil and burn the edges of plants, resulting in dry and crispy leaves. Replant the affected plants in new potting soil and use distilled water when watering them.
Conclusion
English ivy plants are woody evergreen vines with yellow or cream-colored flowers. They grow rapidly and could reach up to 100 feet in length. However, like most plants, they are also prone to diseases and pests. You can save your dying English ivy plants by watering them at least once a week and making sure that the soil is dry before watering them again. Check thoroughly for diseases and pests, cut off yellowed or damaged leaves to encourage new growth, and ensure that the pots or containers have drainage holes.
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