Have small hanging ivy plant - growth near soil looks good but all handing stems seem to dry out and die. Why?

Ivy's outdoors do well in low light, but indoors they really love high light. If kept indoors under low light conditions and moist they usually fall apart like you are describing. They also need to be sprayed for spider mites on a regular basis. If you want to stay away from chemicals, try a dilute solution of liquid hand soap in a spray bottle once a week and then wiping down with a paper towel. Before spraying anything look carefully under the leaves with a hand lense. Spider mites are the size of a pin head and can be seen moving around on little webs. Good luck.

Over-watering can cause yellowing, so can under-watering, or, the wrong light.Check the leaves for spider mite damage as well, ivies are very susceptible to this pest.Look for fine webbing in and around the leaves. They can cause yellowing or a mottled look, leaves look yellowish, dull and dirty.

Mites are small, about as small, or smaller, than the head of a pin.

Ivies do best in bright indirect, or dapple light. Let the soil dry, or almost dry between watering. When watering, also wet the leaves to help keep mites at bay. They like a dry atmosphere to do their dirty work in.