Hedera iberica ‘Aracena’ – Spanish Ivy

Ivy is rarely a diseased plant. However, necrosis of the leaves can sometimes occur. These are not necessarily due to disease. Necrosis, which manifests itself as the death of certain plant tissues, can have a number of non-pathogenic causes. Here are a few reasons other than disease that can cause necrosis on ivy:

• Drought: A lack of water can cause leaf tissue to dry out and die, particularly at the edges and tips.
• Excess water: Stagnant water around the roots can cause a lack of oxygen, leading to root death and consequent leaf necrosis.
• Sudden changes in temperature: Late frosts or heatstrokes can cause necrosis, especially on the more sensitive new shoots.
• Sunburn: Sudden exposure to intense sunlight, especially after a period of shade, can cause sunburn on leaves, resulting in necrotic spots.
• Nutrient deficiencies: A lack of certain nutrients, such as potassium or magnesium, can lead to leaf necrosis.
• Too much fertilizer: Too much fertilizer, especially salt-rich fertilizer, can burn the roots, leading to leaf necrosis.
• Sucking insects: Insects such as aphids, mealybugs and mites can cause necrosis by sucking sap from leaves, resulting in dead areas on the leaves.
• Leaf aging: As with all plants, ivy leaves age naturally and eventually die. Necrosis due to aging is generally uniform, often starting with the lowest or oldest leaves.

It is therefore important to observe the symptoms carefully and to consider the overall growing conditions to determine the exact cause of necrosis.