Slim - 50* is too cold for your plant. Both photosynthesis and water usage slow to a near stop at temperatures that low, so it sounds like you're almost assuredly over-watering. Adding potting soil and fertilize are likely to have provided the impetus for the death knell. Covering the crown just improves the living conditions for the organisms that have already been at work rotting the stems, and the added fertilizer may well have simply added to a high level of salts probably already in the soil. Most houseplants do best at temperatures above 60*, and 55* is about the lower limit for good growth/vitality for a variety of reasons. Most houseplants like a soil that drains freely - so freely that if you water to the point of saturation, with a good amount of the water applied moving through the soil and flushing accumulating salts out, the soil drains well enough that you don't need to be concerned about root rot. We can talk about fertilization, watering technique, soil choice, light, and other important considerations, but I'm afraid this particular plant is probably in serious jeopardy. Al

I live on a forest and before I started planting hostas I would always see the deer a few feet from my back deck. I had planted my first bunch of hostas in the fall. The following spring not long after all my hostas had emerged and were full of leaves, I went out for my daily stroll in the garden only to find all my hostas cut off. It looked like someone had taken hedge clippers to them. I went to Lee Valley and bought 2 of their motion sensor sprinklers which were costly but itÂs been 4 years now and I have yet to have a deer issue. One fall I brought the sprinklers in a bit too soon as the hostas hadnÂt turned to mush. It didnÂt take more than 2 days for the deer to come in and help me with my fall cleanup. These sprinklers are defiantly worth looking into! Here is a link that might be useful: Lee Valley

slugs are like deer.. if hungry enough.. they will any and all hosta ... no matter what ... try the FAQs for some posts about slugs ... battling slugs is a 24/7/365 chore ... dont delude yourself into thinking there is an easy way out .. i prefer vinegar or ammonia in a pump tank.. in a 10% solution.. and full cleanup in fall ... welcome ken Here is a link that might be useful: link to FAQs

I believe it is commonly called Swedish Ivy. It's a Plectranthus. See link below. Here is a link that might be useful: Swedish ivy