You are aware that your houseplants require certain essentials to remain healthy and flourish. Of course, it’s crucial to give them regular watering and the proper amount of light. However, did you know that occasionally a thorough cleaning is also beneficial for houseplants? Dead leaves can give the appearance that your entire plant is untidy, and dust on leaves can actually obstruct sunlight.
It might be a good idea to give your houseplants a little extra care as you begin spring cleaning the rest of your home. Cleaning your houseplants will not only keep them looking their best but will also make you more aware of any bug issues or other issues they may be experiencing.
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The Best Ways to Clean Houseplants
Rain frequently conducts the task of washing plants in the natural world. A light mist of water is one of the greatest ways to clean a lot of tropical houseplants. Place pothos or pilea—smaller, more compact houseplants—into a sink. In the shower, arrange larger plants.
Use lukewarm water to rinse them off to remove dust and pests. Because hot and cold water can damage leaves, keep the water pressure low and avoid using either. You can transfer your houseplants outside to a shady place during the warmer months and give them a light hose-down.
Another way to clean smaller, more delicate houseplants, like ferns, is to immerse the leaves in a bucket of warm water. Using your fingers, first support the plant and its soil. After that, flip the container mostly upside down so you can submerge the leaves and give them a little swish.
It may be simpler to give larger houseplants with huge, smooth leaves—like fiddle leaf figs and peace lilies—a light dusting with a gentle, moist cloth rather than hauling them outside to take a shower. To prevent inadvertent damage, use one hand to support each leaf from below while you use the other to run the dust cloth over it.
Eliminate Dead Leaves
Regularly remove any dead or yellowing leaves from your indoor plants. You can gently tug on certain plants or twist your wrist slightly to remove them. Avoid forcing a leaf to fall off if it resists, as you may break stems or maybe uproot the entire plant.
Rather, cut the leaf off as near to the stem as you can with floral snips or scissors. A unique case in point is ferns; clip off any brown leaf stems at the soil line by reaching under their green fronds. If your ferns have any leafless, string-like stems, trim or eliminate them.
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