Are there any tricks to growing the smaller leaf ivy that we typically find in a small container as house plants.

Every time I try to grow one it does well for a couple of weeks then its leaves start to look dull and leathery , then they dry up.I know it is reccomended that the soil is allowed to become dry between waterings.My home is on the cool side of room temp and about average humidity. my wife likes them so I wish i could do as well in the house with ivy as I do outdoors. Thanks for your help. Johnny