Hi Maggie: There is a post right on here that is an exceptional guide for growing swedish ivy or Plectranthus. The woman who asked for advice, actually prunes her plant back as advised in pictures, and share before and after, showing how well this plant responds to pruning. She is given very comprehensive instructions on light, fertilizer, soil etc. You will grow a Swedish Ivy after reading this post. (link below) Hers is variagated in the post, but there is a dark green one that may will tolerate a bit more shade than the variagated.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/4095647/swedish-ivy-failing-to-thrive-i-must-be-an-idiot?n=25

Pothos, or Devils Ivy is a great Ivy, and there are so many varieties now. An Asparagus fern that has a chance to grow long fronds is as pretty as any Ivy in my opinion. Spider plants are lovely hanging plants. Instead of looking just for Ivy, think cascading or draping plants. There are so many.

As for English Ivy, I just don't see anyone grow this stuff anymire and in my opinion it is because in the house they are spider mite magnets, and their foliage is difficult to treat. They are buggy temperamental plants. Best of luck, you will do great.

Actual Ivy (not Plectranthus) are known to be tough to grow indoors, are also known to be bug magnets. Given those 2 issues, I'd strongly suggest you find something else to grow.

Agreeing w/ Laurie above, they really are bug havens & so many folks who've tried to grown them say this.

Sorry to be discouraging, but there are so many other lovely plants to grow w/ far fewer obstacles.

Gee, I don't know whether to feel better or worse. Better to know it's not just me that finds them difficult to grow. Worse because I really like the look of them!

Laurie, thanks for the suggestions on other species. I have a few pothos of different varieties, a few spider plants and a hoya hindu rope already, as far as hanging plants go. I'll give a Swedish ivy another try, and since my grape ivy has remained alive for about four years now, maybe I'll add another one of those.

Thanks!

If you do, I'd watch the Swedish Ivy closely for mealy bugs, as they're very contagious & Rope Hoyas are VERY susceptible to mealy w/ all their nooks & crannies. Perhaps keep them across the room from each other?

awww, sorry about that Maggie. I love grape ivy so much and have not seen one for years. Good luck

maggiepatty - you said "Ivies are a species I just have not been able to keep alive." I think this misconception may be contributing to your troubles. Ivies are not a species, nor even a genus. 'Ivy' is a common name often applied to many different climbing plants with varying needs. English Ivy and Algerian Ivy are species of Hedera and it is this genus which are particularly difficult indoors. If you can find out the correct botanical names of the plants you are interested in, rather than thinking of them all as 'Ivies' you will be able to research their specific care and avoid the awkward customers.

Thanks, floral and jentsu. Most of the ivies I have had bad luck with have been English ivies: the plain green kind, the variegated kind, and the elongated kind (Needlepoint?). I do usually pick them up for a few dollars from my grocery or big box store, and I have also separated some out from mixed planters I've received as gifts or fur funerals.

I do not think I have ever put one outside, I don't think I've ever had one survive long enough to need a vacation :( My two choices for windows are east or west, and I've tried both and various distances and angles from the east window.

Jentsu, your plants look very nice and healthy. I'll give spraying a try. I hate to admit defeat and treat ivies as disposable, but since others agree they are hard to keep indoors, I won't feel as bad about losses if I keep having them.