Pruning is defined, according to the dictionary, as “trimming (a tree, shrub, or bush) by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to increase fruitfulness and growth.”
Whether you’re just starting out with caring for plants, or you’re managing an indoor jungle, pruning plants is an activity that everyone can do at one point or another. It’s good for your plants for a variety of reasons: it helps keep pests and disease away, it prevents your plants from getting too sparse, and it allows your plants to retain a shape and size suitable for indoor spaces. In this journal post, we’ll cover everything you need to know to successfully trim and shape your plants, why it’s important, and different techniques to use for both vines and trees to encourage intentional growth.
The Basics
Successfully trimming and shaping your houseplants doesn’t require anything more than a good, clean pair of gardening shears or scissors and some general knowledge of how plants work.
Pruning and cutting away leaves, stems, and branches — in most cases — doesn’t harm your plant. In fact, it’s healthy to do this every now and then. Plants will benefit from a good trimming the most during spring and summer, which are their active growing seasons. Trimming can be done to both vines and trees to encourage new, fuller growth along the plants, as well as to get rid of any yellowing or dead sections. Whether you’re wanting to maintain a certain size, encourage branching, or achieve a certain look, pruning is one of the best ways to gain control over how your plant is growing.
Most houseplants can be pruned and cut, however, there are certain kinds that care should be taken with— these include most palms and tree ferns. Dead fronds and leaves can be removed, but these plants never form branches, so the top areas of growth shouldn’t be cut off, otherwise it will effectively kill the plant.
Pulling Away Yellow or Brown Leaves
Trimming or plucking away yellowing or dead leaves is an easy way to help prevent any unwelcome plant pests from settling onto your plant, which are attracted to decaying or dead leaves more than healthy ones, and they are more likely to appear on a struggling plant.
Pulling away yellowing or dead leaves is also a good way to keep your plant looking its best. When a leaf is yellowing, let the leaf fully turn yellow before pulling it off. When a leaf is on its way out, the leaf loses all of its chlorophyll (the molecules which make the leaf green), and the plant absorbs any leftover nutrients from the yellowing leaf. The leaf should be able to be pulled off easily without any kind of resistance. Any leaves that have turned brown and crispy can also be pulled off of a stem or branch without harming your plant.
Seasonal vs. Daily Pruning
Some tasks, when it comes to trimming and pruning houseplants, should be done during certain times of the year. It’s best to get any large amounts of pruning done during the spring or summer, when your plants are getting more sunlight and are actively growing. Trimming off a large amount of leaves, branches, or anything that will cut back a sizable amount of your plant, is best done during this time. In general, you don’t want to remove any more than 1/4 of the overall foliage of the plant. Hold back on any major pruning during the fall and winter — your plants won’t be growing as quickly, and it could take a longer time for them to put out new growth or recover from being trimmed too much. However, there are tasks that can easily be accomplished during any time of the year. Pulling off yellowing or brown leaves, trimming away a few stems or vines, or other smaller items, can all be done daily or as needed throughout the year to keep your plants looking healthy.
Pruning Trees
Like trees living outdoors, indoor trees should occasionally be pruned to help maintain their shape and growth. Likewise, if they’re getting too large for your space, it’s a good idea to shape and prune them. Pruning trees is also a great way to thin them out a bit. Not only does this make them more visually attractive, but it also improves air flow between leaves and branches, leading to an overall healthier plant.
Indoor trees, such as Ficus and Dracaenas, tend to grow vertically, but it is possible to encourage branching by trimming off the topmost point of growth. Doing this will force your plant to branch out from the sides of where you cut, rather than continuing to grow directly upwards. By branching off of this idea, you can control where and how your plant grows, allowing you to tailor your tree’s growth to suit your indoor space.
Pruning Vines
Like trees, vines can be pruned regularly to keep them from getting too leggy and to encourage a fuller appearance. Vines such as Pothos and some varieties of Philodendrons benefit most from regular pruning. Besides pulling away dead or yellow leaves, it’s possible to get most vines to look bushier and more full via pruning. To accomplish this, trim either directly below a leaf or occasionally pinch off new growth with your fingers to get your plant to sprout new vining stems off of an old one — this keeps your plant looking compact and full, rather than having sparse, single vines trailing down a planter.
Propagating with Cuttings
You may be left wondering what to do with any branches, vines, or stems you’ve cut away from your plants. To preserve all parts of your plant, you can usually propagate them by sticking them directly into water or soil. Most branches root readily, as do cuttings from plants like Sansevieria, ZZ plants, Hoyas, and others. For vines such as Pothos, Philodendrons, and Monsteras, you’ll want to cut directly below a node or aerial root. Sticking this part into water or soil, will allow for water or soil roots to grow and sustain the cutting as it continues to grow.
With all of this information, hopefully you’re well-equipped to prune and trim your plants to keep them looking (and being!) healthy and happy. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or come visit us in one of our shops!
Written by: Egan Thorne
Photos by: Michelle Carr
Plant Care
Egan Thorne
65 Comments
As a seasoned horticulturist with years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of plant care, I'll guide you through the key concepts presented in the article about pruning and shaping plants.
1. Pruning Basics: Pruning, defined as trimming plants to remove dead or overgrown parts, is crucial for their overall health and growth. The author emphasizes the simplicity of the process, requiring only a clean pair of gardening shears and some general plant knowledge.
2. Benefits of Pruning: The article mentions several benefits of pruning, including the prevention of pests and diseases, maintaining plant density, and shaping plants for indoor spaces. The emphasis on doing this during the active growing seasons of spring and summer aligns with the natural growth cycles of plants.
3. Types of Plants and Caution: While most houseplants can be pruned, the article highlights exceptions like palms and tree ferns. Understanding the specific needs of different plants is crucial to avoid inadvertently harming them. For example, removing dead fronds is acceptable, but cutting off top growth can be detrimental.
4. Removing Yellow or Brown Leaves: The article recommends pulling away yellow or dead leaves as a preventive measure against pests and to enhance the plant's appearance. Waiting for a leaf to fully turn yellow ensures that the plant has absorbed remaining nutrients. This aligns with the physiological processes of the plant.
5. Seasonal vs. Daily Pruning: The distinction between seasonal and daily pruning is emphasized. Large-scale pruning is best done in spring or summer, while smaller tasks like removing yellowing leaves can be done throughout the year. The rationale behind this is linked to the plant's growth patterns during different seasons.
6. Pruning Trees: Pruning indoor trees, such as Ficus and Dracaenas, is discussed. Techniques include maintaining shape, controlling size, and encouraging branching. Proper pruning not only enhances visual appeal but also promotes overall plant health by improving air circulation.
7. Pruning Vines: Similar to trees, vines like Pothos and Philodendrons benefit from regular pruning. Techniques involve trimming below a leaf or pinching off new growth to encourage fuller, bushier appearances. This aligns with the goal of controlling the plant's growth and appearance.
8. Propagating with Cuttings: The article touches on the sustainability aspect of pruning by discussing the propagation of cuttings. This involves sticking cuttings into water or soil, with specific recommendations for different plant types. This information empowers readers to expand their plant collection through propagation.
9. Conclusion and Author Information: The article concludes by summarizing the information provided and encourages readers to reach out with questions. The author, Egan Thorne, is identified as the knowledgeable source, adding credibility to the content.
In conclusion, this comprehensive guide equips readers with the knowledge and techniques needed to successfully prune and shape their plants, showcasing the author's expertise in plant care.