florapedia / plant-flower-tips / Getting Shiny Leaves on Your Potted Plants
November 02, 2011
Have you ever noticed how every single plant at the florist seems to have particularly luminous leaves? It’s not because they’re healthier or better-taken care of than yourhouse plants– it’s just because they have a little bit of extra help when it comes to keeping the dust and grime away! Believe it or not, you don’t have to be a professional florist to have plants with shiny leaves. Here are a few ways you can keep your plants looking clean and healthy.
Dust can accumulate on surfaces throughout your home, which means a couple of monthly wipe-downs are necessary in order to get rid of the build-up and prevent more from accumulating. The leaves of your potted plants are no exception, and should be wiped down whenever you’re cleaning the house. Dirt and dust can clog the pores of the leaves and prevent transpiration from happening, which could negatively affect your plants and make them look dull. Use a soft washcloth with a bit of warm water and mild soap to gently rub the tops and undersides of the leaves. This will remove any grime and also keep any pests from inhabiting your plants. Just be sure to use another washcloth with plain water afterward to rinse off most of the soap.
There are a variety of options when it comes to adding shine to your leaves. Although some flowering plants have fuzzy leaves that shouldn’t be shined, like African violets, many other types have leaves with smooth surfaces that are perfectly suited for a little buffing. There are commercial leaf shining products available at a wide variety of retailers, but you can make your own products at home easily.
For example, Reader’s Digest suggests using mayonnaise to add shine to your leaves, which sounds a bit weird but is actually a trick used by some professionals. Just rub a bit of mayo onto the leaves using a paper towel, then sit back and watch them gleam for weeks. A mixture of milk and water can also be used to keep leaves shiny, so don’t be afraid to rub a bit of it on after you clean them.
Mineral oil also works to keep your leaves glistening, but only apply a small amount of it about once or twice a year. You should also keep your plants away from direct light sources, as the mineral oil could literally fry the leaves up! That’s all you need to keep your plants looking healthy and glowing year-round, just like those at a florist’s shop.
