Spider mites can leave webbing on plants if the infestation is bad. Or mottled appearance to the leaves. Or you can see them on the undersides of leaves using a magnifying glass. Indoor ivy is supposed to be prone to them.

What Pam said - mite magnets.

Al

I agree with above. I love the look of English ivy but spider mites seem to be drawn to them. Put them in freeze proof pot and put them outside.

It's funny a plant growing outside in the ground is so nearly indestructible, but indoors in a pot seems unable to grow without succumbing to mites. But that's been my experience. I think the only lasting remedy will be systemic soil insecticide granules.

Yeah, they're quintessentially outdoor plants and do best there. Pick something more adapted to indoor culture to grow indoors.

Thanks for all the reply's guys. I have moved the ivy's outside.

But now I am looking for another plant to go on the shelf shown in the above picture. Anybody got any ideas for suitable plants for the relatively low light shelf. I would prefer easy hard to kill plants, that will grow down under the shelf.

I would love to hear your suggestions,

Hidde

How about grape ivy, Cissus rhombifolia?

Thanks for the correction on light levels for Hedera helix, Gardengal!

@illstep

That looks quite nice. Is it more suitable for indoor growing and less susceptible to spider mites than the english ivy?

Absolutely.

Sadly, I'm doubtful that any plant will thrive long term in that position. From the pictures it appears to be deep in a room with two sets of windows between the shelf and natural light. Is that correct?

Yes that is correct.

But I actually have a number of ferns which are doing quite well on my desk, at the same distance from the windows as the shelf. So I think there are plants that can thrive in that position.