Pruning Houseplants - Basics, Ideas, Techniques, Tips For Indoor, Balcony

Pruning Houseplants

Hello gardeners, we are back with an interesting topic about houseplants. Do you want to know how to prune houseplants? Well, in this article today we are here to give clear and detailed information about pruning houseplants.

Introduction to Pruning Houseplants

Houseplants commonly need to be pruned at the beginning of the growing season, which is late winter or early spring for many different varieties. However, the woody indoor plants are an exception to this seasonal rule, requiring year-round pruning is just to remove dead leaves and branches of the plant. Let us get into detailed information on pruning houseplants for indoor and balcony. This may be helpful for pruning the Backyard, Terrace, Polyhouse, and Greenhouse plants.

A Step By Step Guide for Pruning Houseplants

A good rule of thumb for growing species is to prune them just after they have finished flowering. If you prune them right before they bloom, you may be removed unopened buds that would otherwise turn into flowers.

Things You Will Need For Pruning Houseplants

Pruning shears
Kitchen scissors
Gardening gloves

Types of Pruning

Maintenance pruning

The main object of maintenance pruning is to remove all the dead, diseased, and broken wood and inwardly-growing shoots, and to produce an open structure of horizontal flower-bearing shoots so that can allow access for picking. These twiggy areas in the plant can be encouraged by completely removing any very strong growth.

Hard pruning

It is defined in the cutting of main stems of a large shrub to about 6-12inches above the ground to promote the vigorous growth of newer and healthier stems in the plant. It is also known as a method of pruning fruit trees such as apple/pear down to 3 buds for structure.

Deadheading

Deadheading is the gardening term used for removing faded or dead flowers from the plants. Deadheading is generally done to maintain both plant’s good appearance and even to improve its overall performance.

Leaf pruning

This method is best to get any large amounts of pruning done during the spring or summer. When your plants are getting more and more sunlight and are actively growing. Trimming or pruning off a large number of leaves, branches, or anything that will cut back a sizable amount of your plant, is best during this time.

Benefits or Advantages of Pruning Houseplants

You can get rid of damaged leaves and stems

This is very important because damaged leaves and stems can be the main energy drain on your plant. By removing or pruning those dead parts, you are taking some of that work off your plant plate and allowing them to divert their energy into healthy leaves and new growth.

And if some of your plant leaves are damaged due to bacterial infection or fungus infection, it is best to get rid of them so that infection won’t spread to the rest of the plant. It is just good hygiene for the plant.

It can keep your plant from getting too big

Some plants like indoor trees and climbing plants can grow fastly or aggressively towards the sun, which means they may grow too large or too tall for their location. Pruning your plants can even prevent this and gives them a more compact shape.

It gives your plant a perfect balance

Depending on where your plant is getting its light, it’s going to grow sideways toward the closest window, which may leave your plant lopsided or off balance. to stop this, it’s important to rotate your plant regularly so it grows symmetrically. Plants can still get off balance, and this pruning may help keep growth from getting lopsided.

It can decrease crowded areas

Plant leaves need a good airflow and space to be very healthy. If your plant gets too much crowded, the leaves can rub against each other and may cause damage, or limit airflow, which can put it at risk for diseases like mildew. You need to thin crowded areas by pruning your plants.

Points to Remember When Pruning Houseplants

Always use high-quality pruning tools to prune your plants, such as bypass pruners or even sharp garden scissors. Dull pruners and even dull scissors may crush and tear stems, opening them up to pests and disease.
It’s better to proceed slowly. Better stop periodically to view your work as you go. Always prune to the natural growth habit of your plant. Shorten leggy stems and branches, by cutting back to just before a leaf node, which is the main bump on the branch or stem where new growth will appear sooner. When removing large stems completely, just cut as close to the main stem as possible or the base of the plant.
Know when to pinch back your plant. Certain smaller and younger houseplants have very soft stems that should be pinched back to shape and keep them full. Such plants are very easy to prune with your thumb and even with your forefinger nails, although if you prefer, you can also use pruners or gardening scissors. These plants may include the polka dot plant and young pothos, philodendron, and coleus. Just pinch off the growing tips of such plants, and they will even grow bushy, rather than lanky.

In case if you miss this: Growing Flowers At Home In India.

Instructions for Pruning Houseplants

Step 1) first observe the Plant

Take a step back from your houseplant, and then look at its structure and shape. Notice that whether it is growing spindly looks fuller on one side, or if it contains any diseased or dying foliage. Also, better to check for areas of potential new growth, known as “latent buds.” Buds commonly occur where the leaf joins the plant stem.

Step 2) then determine your tools

If the plant’s branches are very thick, such as those of an indoor tree, better to use pruning shears. If they are very slender, use kitchen scissors may give you a cleaner cut.

Step 3) better to remove the dead matter

Clip off or pinch off the dead leaves and stems. If stems have rotted at the root, pull off them out, and better to make sure to let the soil dry out before the plant’s next watering.

Step 4) deadhead the plant

If you are working with a flowering houseplant, then remove all spent flowers by pinching them off with your fingers or clipping them back as close to the main stem as possible.

Step 6) better to make your plant cuts clearly

Make judicious and correct cuts to encourage the plant’s new growth. Just cut before a leaf node. Or when you are cutting back the larger stems, cut them as close to the main stem as possible. However, you should not remove more than 25% of the plant.

Tips and Ideas for Pruning Houseplants

Proper pruning requires a better understanding of the plant’s growth pattern. Plants usually grow from the tip down; meaning new growth of the plant emerges from the dominant bud at the end of a branch or stem.

To prune a plant is to encourage bushy new growth, snip off or pinch off the dominant buds on select stems, staggering the cuts is to encourage varied growth. Trim some of the branches back by a quarter, others by half, and still others back to their main base. In this way, when the plant leaves get out again, the random growth pattern will fill it out.

Deadheading is a type of pruning the plants that simply involves removing all the dead flowers. As a plant blooms, it puts total energy into its flowers at the expense of new growth. Even as a flower is dying, it will still consume energy from the plant. So to prolong the blooming period of the plant and encourage healthy growth, deadheading is often very necessary.

When pruning the plant cleanliness is very important. Any cut made to a plant’s tissue it can expose to the disease. So keep your pruning instruments very sharp and clean and disinfect them between each use with a help of the mild bleach-and-water solution.

Most houseplant cuttings can be saved and rooted in a cup of water, and then they can be planted to form new houseplants.

How to Deal (Prune) With Vines?

Pruning vines is very similar or the same as pruning general houseplants. However, it involves a little more work and effort. Indoor vines need to be encouraged to grow along with support with any wandering stems pruned back. With vines, you might even have to do substantial pruning in the spring or summer seasons to cut them back to a manageable form. Many vines are very notoriously rampant growers when they are healthy.

Plants That Should Not Be Pruned At All

Some houseplants rarely need pruning and trimming, and other plants should never be pruned at all. Palms and Norfolk Island pines both form a terminal dominant bud but don’t possess latent buds. Meaning removing the dominant bud will kill the plant, so it is best to let these species be.

Similarly, many sorts of orchids can’t be pruned beyond removing dead flower spikes. Do so at the purpose where the spike comes out of the leaves, and hopefully, you will see blooms again after several months.

How to Maintain Houseplants after Pruning?

Fertilize the plants just after pruning. Better to use soluble, all-purpose fertilizer on the plant after you prune it. Dilute the fertilizer in water so it will not burn the plant. Apply the fertilizer to the pruned plant according to the instructions on the label.

Wipe the dust or dirt off the leaves. Houseplants with wide, large leaves can accumulate more dust and dirt. Maintain the houseplants with the help of a damp sponge or rag to wipe off the dust and dirt. By doing this regularly plants can stay vibrant.

Always use a new sponge or rag on each plant so that pests are not transferred from one plant to another.

Do not overwater the plants after pruning. A big and major part of caring for houseplants is watering them when needed. Thin, delicate houseplants will need more water than big and hearty succulents. Check if the plants need water by touching with your finger one inch into the soil. If the soil does not feel damp, then the plants need water.

Watch for the signs of overwatering, such as the young and the old leaves that fall, mushy, brown roots at the bottom of the pot, moldy flowers, and leaves with brown, soft patches that do not grow well.

Seasonal Pruning vs. Daily Pruning

Some tasks, when it involves trimming and pruning houseplants, should be done during certain times of the year. It’s best to urge any large amounts of pruning done during the spring or summer when your plants are becoming more sunlight and are actively growing. Trimming off an outsized number of leaves, branches, or anything which will crop a large amount of your plant, is best done during this point. Generally, you don’t want to get rid of any longer than 1/4 of the general foliage of the plant. twiddling my thumbs on any major pruning during the autumn and winter — your plants won’t be growing as quickly, and it could take an extended time for them to place out new growth or get over being trimmed an excessive amount of. However, some tasks can easily be accomplished at any time of the year. Pulling off yellowing or brown leaves, trimming away a couple of stems or vines, or other smaller items, can all be done daily or as required throughout the year to stay your plants looking healthy.

Commonly Asked Questions for Pruning Houseplants

What happens if I don’t prune my plants?

If a plant has not been pruned regularly and has been left to grow in whatever pattern or size, then that plant may need what is called a severe cutting back. This may result in the spring in lots of new shoots and fast growth.

Does pruning hurt my plants?

Pruning and cutting away dead leaves, stems, and branches in most cases don’t harm or hurt your plant. It is very healthy to do this now and then. Plants will be benefited from good trimming the most during spring and summer, which are their active and growing seasons.

Should I cut off leaves that contain holes?

Yes. Remove all the brown and dying leaves from your house plants as soon as possible, but only if they are more than 50% damaged. Cutting off these leaves may allow the remaining healthy foliage to receive more nutrients and can even improve the plant’s good appearance.

Where should I cut when pruning?

For heading cuts of the plant, better to prune 1/4 inch above the bud, are sloping down and away from the bud. Avoid cutting too close because the bud may die. When you are pruning the plant above a node with two or more buds, remove the inward-facing bud. Make thinning cuts just above parent branch or side branches and roughly parallel to them.

Should I water my plant after pruning?

Pruning removes shade and may expose the soil to sunshine, so insulate surface-feeding roots by mulching. Wounds may bleed, dehydrating plants, especially in dry weather or climate. So, it is best to water your plants after pruning.

At what angle do I cut when pruning?

When pruning cut limbs ¼ inch above a bud that faces the outside of the plant. This will be the direction or way of the new growth. Keep your cuts at least a 45-degree angle to prevent water damage and disease.

Should I fertilize my plant after pruning?

After pruning, you can apply fertilizer to encourage vigorous new growth of the plant. Fertilizing your plant by using water-soluble fertilizers will be more helpful.

How often should I prune my plants?

Generally, most mature trees need to be pruned or trimmed every 3-5 years while a younger tree will need to be pruned every 2-3 years. A fruit tree needs to be pruned yearly while some evergreen plants can go many years without needing a single cut.

Pruning Houseplants – Basics, Ideas, Techniques, Tips For Indoor, Balcony

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