Therefore, it’s usually not necessary to prune houseplants in fall or winter. A good example of training a houseplant is with the various types of Ficus trees. In other words, trim it right above where a leaf has sprouted. It encourages new blooms to grow. It's hard to do, but if you can make yourself pinch your plants while they're small, you'll reap the rewards in many more blooms within a very few months. What's the best time to prune my house plants? Then, use sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears to cut back half of the longest branches on the plants so they're a third of their original length. In fact, you can even pinch off the ends of side shoots to encourage even more to form, leading to a fuller plant. Pruning the vertical branches promotes the development of lateral ones, leading to a fuller and more attractive specimen. The term “pinching” comes from the fact that gardeners actually use their fingers (and fingernails if they have them) to pinch off the tender, new growth at the end of the stem. Cutting each stem or branch back by one-quarter to one-third is standard practice and causes the least amount of stress to the houseplant. This article has been viewed 213,679 times. While there are several different training techniques that can help ganja farmers yield high quantities of fat, dense nugs , pinching is possibly the easiest method a … Whatever you pinch off will take root in a glass of water and you can pot it in its own pot after about two weeks. It is better not to pinch more than one or two big shoots, and 3-4 small shoots at a time in a plant. Always be sure to sterilize your pruning tool blades before you prune houseplants. However, some flowering plants like hibiscus are self-cleaning and the flower drops from the plant once spent, so there’s no need to deadhead. Do not cut off any nodules on the plants as you prune, which are new buds that have not bloomed or opened yet. Prune off any dead branches or stems at the base of the plant or to the main stem, when pruning trees. References If you plan cutting a plant back severely, it’s probably best to wait until spring when the plant is no longer dormant to do the pruning. When it comes to proper pruning techniques and schedules, in regards to the vast majority of houseplants, there are some basic rules you can follow to assure you maintain a healthy and good-looking plant. Unless you are growing larger houseplants that develop into trees or shrubs, you don’t need a large arsenal of tools to prune houseplants. Although using clean pruning tool blades to make your pruning cuts is essential in preventing transferring an unwanted disease or pest to your houseplant, how you make the cut is significant too. This will encourage side shoots to form along the stem. Last Updated: October 8, 2020 Additionally, you want to make sure the pruning tool can cut cleanly through the branch or stem and not tear it, as that can open the section up to disease problems. However, there are exceptions to waiting until spring to do your pruning. Using your other hand’s thumb and index finger, a pair of scissors, or sharp knife, pinch off the tip of the stem right above a set of leaves or node. Make your cut at a 45-degree angle away from the developing bud or leaf node, to help water flow away from the bud and not collect on top of a pruned flat surface. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. This is especially true for houseplants like Schefflera, Dracaena, Pothos and Aglaonema. This is all about pothos care – the easiest and toughest trailing houseplant now and back then. Plants NOT to be Pruned. This assures you won’t be transferring any diseases or pest problems to the plant. https://newengland.com/today/living/gardening/how-to-prune-houseplants/, https://garden.org/learn/articles/view/1700/, http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/pruning-cleaning-plants.html, https://www.houselogic.com/by-room/yard-patio/how-to-care-for-house-plants/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. How to pinch a plant is actually pretty easy. It also helps to prevent the growth of leggy stems. Keep in mind you are able to use a few of your cuttings to start new plants. Since everything from too much fertilizer or sunlight, sucking pests to not enough water can be the cause of your leaf problems, it’s best to try to figure out what caused the situation with the foliage in the first place. Evergreens known for their tough nature like Ivy can be pruned year-round. Pruning gives you the ability to control the height, width and shape of your houseplants. Many houseplants will eventually become too tall or wide for their designated area and soon be pressing up against walls and ceilings. Before pruning a houseplant, you should consider what shape and size you would like it to be. Trimming off the growing tip of a stem will prevent it from quickly gaining height and will promote a fuller appearance in the area you cut. Just be aware of some houseplants that dislike being moved such as Ficus benjamina. Some plants require regular pruning , while others only need it a couple of times of year. As only small portions of stems are removed, the plant looks basically the same as it did before the stems were pinched. Don’t cut too far from a leaf node or bud because the end will die leaving an unsightly stump. Of course, the leaf problems leave your houseplant looking anything but attractive. How do I trim an overgrown crown of thorns plant? By using our site, you agree to our. The vast majority of houseplants can be pruned, but there are some that you should avoid pruning whenever possible; otherwise, they will not grow back. Houseplants can add color and fresh air to a room. Always leave some foliage on the plant when you prune. Pinching means you remove stem tips, either with your fingernails or pruners. How to properly trim and pinch geranium for lush flowering. Although pruning objectives can vary, there are four basic reasons to prune houseplants. You should also maintain the plants by fertilizing them and watering them regularly so they stay healthy and happy. Part of the series: Landscaping & Gardening with Jane Gates. Your search ends right here. Trim other branches by 1/3 their length. Additionally, periodic light pruning won’t have you dealing with a multitude of bare stems caused by hard pruning, leaving the houseplant looking a bit worse for wear until new growth appears. If there are any side shoots on the branches further down the base of the plant, you can prune a few of these shoots. Caring for houseplants the right way is just as important as picking the right one. Make sure your pruning tool blades are clean to prevent the transfer of diseases or pests. Ficus have a tendency to develop vertical branches instead of lateral ones, leading to tall, spindly trees. Start by removing dead leaves, limbs, and flowers on the plants. How to Pinch a Plant. Then, cut back overgrown branches and stems on the plants. The roots are an especially delicate part of the plant and you may accidentally kill the plant if you cut them the wrong way. Pruning produces short-term stress for the plant, so it is important to avoid causing additional stress with other aspects of care. To learn how to prune dead leaves and stems on your houseplants, read on! Before making your cuts, look the plant over to decide what branches or stems need pruning to achieve the desired size and shape. I just pull off the dead and dying blooms with my fingers. If a large section of the leafy area appears dead, you can cut off the entire branch. Whatever your current pot size is, go up at least 2 sizes and transfer your plant to a new container. Unfortunately, not every person is born with a green thumb. A floral snip works great for most houseplants as it can reach into hard to reach places for the pruning. This will help for stems that grow beyond the head and ruin the look of the plant. This will result in a bushier houseplant. Plants normally kept in direct sunlight are best moved to. You can prune houseplants to achieve a more compact specimen by pruning out some of the branches to reduce the tree’s overall width and height. Deadheading spent flowers also typically results in larger blooms. Pinching simply means to remove part of the plant. Growing Houseplants in Water. For indoor trees, remove the weaker branch when two are crossing or two are developing from the same branch, leaving about a 2cm section where the branch attached to the main stem. Looking for a hanging houseplant which trails like crazy and is a snap to maintain? Make your cuts using sterilized hand clippers or a sharp knife, cutting just above a bud or leaf node. This method of growing plants is known as hydroponic harvesting. However, there are times when a bit of pruning tames an overgrown plant, improves the looks of an ailing one or will make a houseplant look better. Not all the basic rules for proper pruning always fit every variety of plant and some have special pruning requirements to keep their growth robust and healthy. The simplest way of getting rid of aphids on houseplants like the peace lily is to pinch them off with your fingers. Pinch out the tip of a stem and the topmost leaves to promote the growth of side buds. This article will help you understand how, why and when to prune houseplants to keep them looking great and in perfect health. You should also cut back any long, leggy stems to one-third of their length. However, houseplants that flower on older growth like Stephanotis should be cut back right after blooming ceases. The term “pinching” comes from the fact that gardeners actually use their fingers (and fingernails if they have them) to pinch off the tender, new growth at the end of the stem. Prune your houseplants to control plant size, shape, cosmetic appearance or health. If you have enough patience, your seedling will eventually turn into an attractive little specimen with glossy, oval leaves 4 to 8 inches long. Plant Specialist. How to Pinch a Plant. If the roots are sticking out of the soil, it's a sign that your plant is too big for the container it's in. This can be done by pinching or using pruners to remove new growth growing vertically or laterally from the main body of the plant. 7. You may have received this gardening advice but were a bit uncertain about where and how to make the cut on your plant. Reduce the height of a schefflera plant by cutting an upright stem just above a growth node. Read on to learn all the specific pruning methods, when to use and any special considerations to have your pruned plants producing new growth in no time. Pinching techniques for plants refers to pinching a plant so that they bush out better than they have been. How To Prune Houseplants: Most houseplants are best pruned little and often, while they are actively growing. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Feeling Anxious? There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Clean hand pruners work well for cutting thin branches. How To Prune Houseplants: Most houseplants are best pruned little and often, while they are actively growing. For other problems with plant care, or if you identify a pest infestation, fix these issues first before you even think about pruning. How to Grow Houseplants. A pinch can be easily done with soft annuals and perennials. Reduce the height by cutting an upright stem just above a growth node. This is particularly true of indoor trees, or houseplants such as Monsteras, which can become enormous. If the tips or small sections of the leaves are turning brown or yellow, you may consider trimming the affected section off. 20 February 2019. You can easily sterilize your tool’s blades by wiping them off with alcohol or a household disinfectant. Make your pruning cut about 3mm to 4mm above a bud or leaf node and at a slight angle in the direction of the bud, trimming off the desired section of branch or stem. Houseplants are a staple in many homes, but they take quite a lot of love and care to thrive. Dead or dying sections of the plant can encourage pest infestation or disease. Use this general advice, along with any specific instructions for individual plants to keep your indoor plants well-groomed and looking great. Whether you should or not depends on the cause and on your preference. If many leaves are affected, try removing a portion of them first and wait a few weeks to ensure that the plant starts to produce healthy new growth. Home Houseplants. smartgardenguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other Amazon stores worldwide. Prune and Pinch Back Houseplants You can prune any time of the year, but fall is a natural time to break out your pruning scissors after a summer of growth. Removing these not only makes your houseplant look better, but reduces the risk of further problems down the line. This article was co-authored by Chai Saechao. Pinching Technique for Plants. Longer term, it’s best to try to identify why your houseplant is getting leaf problems and take steps to fix these, so that new growth will stay lush and healthy. If you have any soft-stemmed houseplants, like English ivy and philodendron, pinch the tips off the stems, just above a node, to help maintain the plant's busy shape. Although hard pruning is stressful to the plant, the pruned bare branches and stems will fill in with new foliage quickly. Prune your houseplants to … However, woody indoor plants are an exception to this seasonal rule, requiring year-round pruning to remove dead leaves and branches. Removing dead and dying flowers on the plant will encourage the growth of newer, more vibrant blooms. The larger and beefier blades will make a quick and clean cut through the larger areas of bark. Image Credits: Guide-To-Houseplants The following tips will assure the area around the cut remains healthy and productive: If your houseplant requires quite a bit of trimming, giving it appropriate aftercare assures its quick recovery and production of new growth. Pinching is like performing a small surgical operation on the plant, due to which the plant goes in the shock state. This is what I tend to do. There are two ways to pinch your plants to increase your yields. This actually leads to a fuller and healthier looking houseplant. In fact, improper pruning can be detrimental to some plants and even lead to their death. However, if the houseplant is extremely overgrown and in need of some serious rejuvenation pruning to bring it back into shape, cutting back by more than half might be required. For aromatic plants such as basil, you have to pinch the growth peaks periodically. Avoid excessively bright conditions. How do I get more branches on a house plant? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 213,679 times. Expert Interview. Whether for cosmetic reasons or to improve the health of your houseplants, you’re likely to have to do some pruning sooner or later. Prune additional foliage at the start of the growing season or right after they have actually flowered to provide it a well-groomed appearance and encourage development in bare areas. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. When the desired growing conditions of the pruned plant are met, pruning should produce new healthy growth. Plants that grow indoors can become overgrown, developing thick foliage, which then blocks proper air circulation and light. Do I pinch off all the tips, or just one or two? If you are pruning for a bushier plant, start slow by pruning the leggy branches back by no more than 10 to 20 percent. Trimming off the growing tip of a stem will prevent it from quickly gaining height and will promote a fuller appearance in the area you cut. Usually a pair of hand clippers or snips and even common scissors will work in snipping off smaller stems and branches. Fast-growing climbers like Wandering Jew can be pinched to control their size and shape year-round. Hi, I’m Andrew, and Smart Garden Guide is my website all about indoor gardening and houseplants. But if the stem is woody and tough you’ll need a tool. Use sharp, sterile pruners and cut back to just before leaf nodes. Pinching off the stems can help maintain the bushy shape of the plant and encourage even growth. To learn how to prune dead leaves and stems on your houseplants, read on! Growing avocados outdoors as productive fruit trees can be tricky, but growing them as houseplants is fun and easy. Do not cut off any leaves or limbs that still appear green and vibrant. This will cause considerable stress for your plant, but it is usually the best option to increase the chance of survival and recovery. If the entire leaf is unsightly or dead, you can use clean scissors or hand pruners to trim off the entire leaf and stem from the branch. The first thing you will need is a plant that does not need to be fed. Use sharp, sterile pruners and cut back to just before leaf nodes. Leave the main stem intact and remove branches shooting off of the stem at a 45 degree angle. Hibiscus house plants should be pruned in early spring. If your plant is normally kept in a darker area, try moving it to somewhere a little brighter. To prune houseplants that are overgrown, wait until the beginning of their growing season and after they've already bloomed. Next Up. As pruning houseplants will lead to additional stress, it is usually best to improve general care and fix any problems before pruning. You can find garden shears for pruning online or at your local hardware store. Some plant examples where hard pruning can help to maintain plant shape well include: If the vine is climbing on a structure, allow its woody central framework to remain as is and cut back the side shoots. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Clip or pinch off dead leaves and stems. They should come out willingly. Pelargonium, or more familiar to us the name of the plant - geranium, is particularly loved by domestic growers. If you notice problems, use our helpful tips on houseplant care to solve them before they get serious. Chai Saechao is the Founder and Owner of Plant Therapy, an indoor-plant store founded in 2018 based in San Francisco, California. It draws attention to itself with simple cultivation, a non-capricious disposition and generous flowering. Do not make your cut too close to a leaf node or bud to prevent damage. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. However, you may need to wipe down each leaf and stem individually with a damp cloth to eliminate them completely. Aftercare that gets your pruned houseplant off to the best start includes: Whether due to an outbreak of disease or pests, or simply because of lack of care, you may find your houseplants looking a little unhealthy. In other words, trim it right above where a leaf has sprouted. It works well used on herbaceous perennials, indoor shrubs, and trees. Foliage can show the effects through brown leaf tips, as well as entire leaves turning brown or yellow. Enjoy your stay at Smart Garden Guide. "I don't want to hurt my plants. Pinching works well for herbaceous plants, which includes various vines and climbers. ... Florida is a great place for growing “houseplants” outside. Remove the affected section by making your cuts back into healthy sections of the wood. Pinch and Prune To keep the health of your indoor plants, it’s finest to routinely get rid of dead leaves and stems. It draws attention to itself with simple cultivation, a non-capricious disposition and generous flowering. The vast majority of plants grown indoors and outside go through a period of dormancy starting in fall and lasting through winter. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Prune-Houseplants-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-Houseplants-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Prune-Houseplants-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/aid1331493-v4-728px-Prune-Houseplants-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"