Ivy plants are evergreen, woody ground-creeping and climbing plants of the family Araliaceae. These plants are native to central, western and southern Europe, Japan, Taiwan and some parts of Africa. Common colors include shades of green variegated with yellow, white, black, gray and cream, while the flowers are greenish-white and greenish-yellow. They are considered hardy plants, but like most plants, are also prone to conditions that cause their leaves to turn yellow.
Ivy Leaves Turning Yellow: What Are The Common Reasons?
1. It could be due to saturated soil or too much moisture in the soil.
Ivy leaves turning yellow is often due to saturated soil or excess moisture around the roots. Ivy plants thrive in areas with moist and well-draining soil. If their roots stay damp due to slow drainage or boggy soil, it excludes oxygen from the soil and prevents root respiration. The plants then lose the ability to absorb nutrients, causing the leaves to turn yellow and wilt.
The reasons for excess water in the soil and around the plant’s roots could include:
- Compacted or slow-draining soil that prevents water from draining well.
- Overwatering the plants.
- Pots or planters with no drainage holes.
- Using saucers, decorative outer pots and trays that prevent water from draining properly from the planters.
Stagnant water and saturated soil could also lead to fungal disease and root rot. Make sure you replicate the plants’ native environment by using loose, well-draining soil.
These are some steps you can take to save your ivy plants from saturated soil:
- Cut back on watering.
- Replant the plants in new potting soil.
- Always plant in pots with drainage holes.
- Make sure the soil is not compacted when you plant the ivy plants.
2. It could be due to a lack of nutrients in the soil.
Ivy plants with abundant and healthy green leaves indicate nutrient-rich soil. However, if the plants have been in the same spot for years, they tend to develop yellow leaves. This may be an indication that the roots have exhausted the nutrients in the potting soil, which include nitrogen, magnesium and iron.
To correct this, provide supplements for your plants. For nitrogen deficiency, you can add manure and coffee grounds to the soil. For iron deficiency, add or spray chelated iron or iron sulfate on the foliage. For magnesium deficiency, fertilize the plants with Epsom salts, or magnesium sulfate.
Transplant the ivy plants to a larger pot or planter and add new soil. Larger pots have greater soil capacity and the roots thus have greater access to the required nutrients. Fertilize at least once a month during spring and summer using a general houseplant fertilizer. A balanced fertilizer may be a better option than treating individual deficiencies, to ensure that the plants receive the nutrients equally.
3. It could be due to spider mites or other pests.
Ivy is a sturdy, hardy plant that is rarely prone to disease or pests. However, factors like overwatering or a lack of nutrients make it vulnerable and prone to attacks from pests like spider mites and mealybugs. Indoor ivy plants are more sensitive to pest attacks due to low humidity levels.
Mist the plants at least twice a week and use insecticidal soap to kill spider mites and other pests. Isopropyl rubbing alcohol is also ideal, but you must dilute it with water. Neem oil is also favorable; you can wipe it on the leaves to ward off pests.
Common Types of Ivy Plants
- English ivy
- Goldchild ivy
- Ivalace ivy
- Needlepoint ivy
- Algerian ivy
- Gloire de marengo ivy
- Irish ivy
- Japanese ivy
- Himalayan ivy
- Persian ivy
- Sulphur heart ivy
- Canarian ivy
- Russian ivy
- Boston ivy
- Swedish ivy
Conclusion
Ivy plants are woody, evergreen climbing plants that are considered hardy and rarely afflicted with diseases. However, certain factors could still cause their leaves to turn yellow. These include saturated or over-moist soil, nutrient deficiency and pest infestation. These conditions weaken the plants, making them vulnerable to root rot, discoloration and wilting.
Image: istockphoto.com / kynny