Protective Pruning for Houseplants

Carefully pruned houseplants actually grow better. Photo: Gardening at 58 North

A guest blog by Jordan at Backyard Boss

Jordan is a husband, father, writer, and long-time nature lover. When he isn’t in the office scratching on notepads or banging away at the keyboard, he can be found outside tending his garden or somewhere exploring the great outdoors.

Pruning is as important as sunlight and water. Not only does it encourage growth, pruning also maintains your plant’s health and protects it from pests and infections. What’s more, pruning large trees or shrubs helps keeping your property, pets, and family safe.

In this post, we discuss the basics of pruning to protect, including the proper steps, tools, benefits, and more.

Pruning plants is about more than simple aesthetics. Sure, adequately pruned plants do look better, but there is a lot more to it than just that. Pruning your plants, in a protective manner, is similar to how and why you clip the fur and nails of your canine or feline companions—it is necessary for their overall well-being and prevents them from developing unnecessary personal issues or unintentionally harming others.

A few of the most noticeable benefits of protective pruning include:

• Reduced damage to stems and leaves.
• Prevents the spread of fungus and infections.
• Keeps the size of your plants optimal/manageable.
• Increases available sunlight intake.
• Allows more room for other plants to thrive and grow.
• Reduces accidents/messes in the home.

Regular pruning is best done during the start of each growing season, which is typically early spring or late winter. That said, many houseplants require more frequent protective pruning. On the other hand, some plants, such as evergreens, require little to no pruning at all (aside from obviously brown/dead parts).

Steps to Properly Pruning Houseplants

Knowing when, where, and why to prune your house plants is crucial. Another key lies in mastering the steps of pruning plants.

1. Observation

Observing your plants closely and carefully is the first step. This is how you will find the issues that need addressing. Pay extra attention to the shape and structure of each plant and take note of how much should be removed. Also, keep an eye out for damaged, diseased or dying leaves and stems. You’ll want to note where new growth will occur as well.

2. Gather Proper Tools

Step two is rounding up the right tools for the job. For most indoor plants, all you need is a pair of sharp scissors. However, if you have indoor trees you will need a pair of pruning shears. Additionally, garden gloves for your own protection, as well as a spray bottle of water, and your preferred plant food may come in handy.

3. Removal of Dead Matter

To get started with the actual job, begin by pinching off or clipping the dead parts. If you are dealing with rotted roots, remove them by pulling them up and then allow time for the soil/growing medium to dry before watering.

4. Deadheading

This step isn’t required for many plants, but mainly for houseplants that flower. The term “deadheading”  refers to the act of pinching or clipping off old flowers. When doing so, make sure to remove the plant matter as far back towards the primary stem as possible.

5. Pruning

This step includes the main pruning. Simply cut back each stem that you want to remove. If you followed step number one, you will already know what you want to prune and what you want to leave.

Take your time before making the first cut. You can rethink your cuts only before making them. Also, avoid removing more than 25 % or so of the total plant except in severe cases.

If you are cutting off healthy sections of plants, consider keeping them/using them for the propagation of new/additional plants. Also, severely damaged or diseased clippings should be burned or thrown away—never add them to your compost.

6. Aftercare

Most plants that are more or less healthy recover from pruning within days to weeks. But, if your plants take a bit longer, it isn’t anything to be alarmed over. Certain plants experience greater levels of shock.

Continuing to care for your plant as normal, including watering, feeding/fertilizing, and exposing to the correct amount of light helps the bounce-back time.

7. Special Considerations

Some house plants do not need pruning—ever. Orchids and Norfolk Island Pines are two such houseplants. Further, if you do prune these particular species, you are more than likely killing them or permanently damaging them. That said, it pays to do some basic research on all of the plants you keep in your home.

Vines are another type of indoor plants that require special considerations. These species tend to grow somewhat rampantly, especially so when they are healthy. As they grow, random and unnecessary stems need frequent pruning. In addition, extra pruning in the summer and winter also helps promote optimal health and growth for your vines.

A Final Word About Protective Pruning

Pruning your plants, for both your and their protection, takes little time and effort once you understand what it is that you’re doing, and why. With a bit of practice, it will seem no more mysterious or complicated than watering your garden or cutting your grass. The benefits, however, far outweigh the small learning curve required to get it right. Hopefully, our article helps!

Do you have a secret to protective pruning that you’d like to share with the laidback gardener audience? Comments are more than welcome in the section below.

Good luck pruning your babies!