What Is the Cause of Ivy Wilt?

Phytophthora

• Phytophthora is a plant pathogen that can spread through a warm, moist area very quickly and cause ivy wilt. This particular fungus produces lemon-shaped spores that appear on the roots and the crown of the plant. Other signs of phytophthora infestation in addition to leaf wilt include root dieback, leaf chlorosis and discoloration. There are several ways to treat this disease, but first, it is necessary to remove heavily infested plant material. Once done, keep the leaves of the ivy dry and treat with a fungicide approved for phytophthora treatment.

Fusarium

• Fusarium is a fungus that lives in soil and infects plants either at soil surface level or throughout the plant's root system. This particular fungus reproduces through tiny white spores. Signs of infestation include ivy wilt, leaves that appear coated in white dust, stems that rot at the soil surface and plants that look chlorotic – which means the leaves are beginning to turn white or yellow. Remove diseased foliage and treat the remaining plants with a fungicide approved for use on fusarium.

Temperature

• Extremely high temperatures are often a cause of ivy wilt. Depending on the variety, ivy does best in part or full shade. Consider the average temperature of the area you live as well as the sunlight exposure of the location you choose to plant. Gardeners in areas with high summer heat should plant their ivy in full shade. It is best to avoid afternoon sunlight whenever possible, since this is the hottest part of the day. Control the ground temperature by mulching the roots and watering well during hot, dry periods.

Moisture Levels

• Too much or too little moisture is also a cause of ivy wilt. Make sure to plant ivy in well-draining soil to avoid water-logged roots. An inch of water a week is plenty. Get a rain gauge so you know how much natural rainfall the area receives and supplement that as necessary. Ivy is not drought-tolerant and prefers the top inch or inch-and-a-half of soil to be moist, but not wet. One of the first signs of inadequate moisture is leaf wilt; however, since this can also be a sign of other problems, stick your finger into the soil to determine whether it is wet or dry, then adjust the moisture level as needed.