A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The House Plant Forum leaves turning different shades

Hopefully this will be an easy one for someone. I have a couple of ivy plants-yeah they are supposed to be easy lol they both started out with dark green leaves but now those leaves are turning to a light green. The one even looks sickly. The other isn't so far gone but it was a gift from one of the kids and I really do not want to lose it. I have a feeling it has to do with either light or water or maybe a combination of both and if that is the case I can't figure out the right combination.
Thanks for the help in advance.
Angie

how long have you had them? they could just be in shock from being moved from one location to another. Ivy's like to dry out completly in between waterings. they like to be misted every now and then. and they like indirect bright light.

They shouldn't be suffering from shock because I have managed to keep the older and more sickly one about 2 years the other one was given to me towards the end of the 07 school year. I have had them in a high window sill that faces east and has no shade. Speaking of watering-how often? Should I water them throughly, meaning watering them until the water comes out of the base or whould I be watering them only through the base? I love plants but am just not sure how to give them what they want or better yet what they need. There is no lie I almost killed a spider plant. LOL
Thanks again and yes you can give me the idiot proof versions I will not be offended. :-)

Hi Angie and Welcome to the Garden Helper,,,,,

I want to be sure what Ivy your talking about,,,,, I heard people call Philodendrons , Ivys .. or parlor Ivy's.,,,
This is a philodendron,,,,, is this what you have????



There are many varieties but generally have the same care requirements,,,,,, they can tolerate Low light, But leaf's turning yellow probably means too low of light and /or too much water,,
allow soil to dry out' somewhat,',,,, But not all the way,,,,,, one thing to be careful of If you were to "mist it" is using cold water , as it will leave spots on the leaves, sometimes causing "black spot or Fungus,,,,, I usually have a water mister bottle near the plant that I'm misting so it will have the same room temp the plant is in,

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/philodendron.html

Epipremnum

angleblossom the pic you have above looks like a varigated pothos Ivy.

In general, all Ivy's should be watered throughly.....letting the water run out the bottom. then wait till it's dry a couple of inches down into the soil before you water again. you really can't say 'water every 10 days'. it will just depend on how fast it dries back out.