House Plants adds color and freshness to your environment and Pruning plants isn’t just about shaping them. It is a procedure to ensure your plants stay healthy for a longer time and also it encourages new growth.
Follow below 3 steps to keep your plant healthy;
- Start with removing damaged leaves, limbs, flowers of the plant.
- Cutting and shaping overgrown branches and stems.
- Feeding plants with proper fertilizer and water.
Supplies Needed:
- Hand pruners
- Sharp scissors
- Loppers
- Shears
- Handsaw
- Overgrown mature plant
Step #1: Remove damaged leaves, limbs and flowers
- Remove any yellowing or brown leaves, this helps focus growth on the healthy part of the plant.
- Trim the dead flower.
- Remove any fallen leaves or flowers in the soil, as they can attract pests and can create an environment for mold to thrive.
- If you are removing leaves or flowers due to aging, lack of moisture or sunburn spot, dip blades in water as it will prevent from damaging any healthy tissues.
- Cut the leaves that are entirely brown or yellow at the base.
Step #2: Cut and shape overgrown branches and stems
- Prune the longest branch of the plant to third of their length. Trim off at 45 degree angle.
- Cut down the stem that appears loose or strangling, falling off different areas of the plant.
- Pinch of stem if you are having soft-stem plants like money plant, or any climbers and creepers.
- Pinch just above the nodes(point where leaf is growing out of stem).
Remember you are pruning healthy branches and stems to promote even growth.
NOTE: Remember at max prune only 15-20% foliage of plants. Over pruning will make it difficult for the plant to grow back, so be selective while pruning.
If in doubt, wait for a few weeks to observe and make another further pruning.
Step #3: Feed Plant
- Apply fertilizer to the plant after pruning. Proceed as instructed on fertilizer packaging. Do not over fertilize the plant as it may burn the plant.
- Moist the plant foliage and wipe off any dirt and dust from the large leaves.
- Water plant little bit more than usual. Just a little bit, do not overwater it.
Need more help?
No matter what your question is or what kind of plant you have, we’re here to answer your questions and give you the encouragement you need to be the best plant parent you can be. So let’s talk about plants!