About Diana Hamilton Expertise I can answer questions related to flowering and non-flowering house plants, and herbs. I do not know very much about cactus, orchids and bonsai
Experience For 20 years I owned a florist where I sold cut flowers and all types of house plants and accessories and gave advice to my customers.
Publications I have not had any writings published but I have presented gardening programmes on television, showing viewers how to care for their plants, giving them ideas on suitable plants, discussed problems with experts in different fields and given practical demonstrations on growing seeds, planting tubs and hanging baskets, watering, feeding, pruning etc.
Education/Credentials I am completely self-taught
Awards and Honors I have exhibited plants and flower arrangements in many Flower Shows winning many prizes.
Question I have a hanging ivy plant that we bought about 3 weeks ago. For the first week it was outside on a porch. We brought it inside and placed it by a window about 2 weeks ago. Even though new leaves are sprouting, some of the older leaves look withered and brown. I have watered it twice since I have had it. I can't find anything on the web about the care of this type of plant. Can you help please? Thank you!
Answer Dear Jenna,
I don't know what the temperature is where you are in the States but if it is hot then your plant is definitely thirsty since you have only watered it twice in three weeks. Having said that if only a few leaves at the base [near the soil] of the stems have died then don't worry as you say you have new leaves.
Although you have called it a hanging ivy I think you mean trailing as it is only hanging if you actually hang it up somewhere. Is it in direct sunlight by your window? If so then move it to another place, it needs light especially if it is a variegated variety otherwise the leaves will all revert to green. If it is in direct sunlight, particularly midday sun then the whole plant will eventually shrivel up and die.
Keep the soil moist during the summer and reduce watering in the winter, mist the leaves now and then to help keep the plant cool, keep it clean and deter any insects which might fancy it!
All my ivies are outside at the moment enjoying the fresh air and breezes although they are well away from the sun as it is very fierce - I am in southern Spain. They are watered every other day unless I find the soil is really dry.
So remove all dead leaves, pinch out the tips of the plants if you would like it to grow in a more bushy shape, keep it cool, fed [twice a month] and watered and it will reward you with lots more growth over the summer months.
