How to Cut Back House Plants
Most house plants do extremely well never being cut back. If you are limited on space or you notice that your plants look a little woody, they may need a small cutting. House plants are generally very easy to cut back or pinch back. The best thing about house plants is that they are low maintenance.
House plants are just like your plants outside. They only need to be pruned once per year, sometimes once per season, if you have a plant that flowers multiple times. There are many houseplant varieties that you will never have to prune at all. For those that you do need to prune, there are only a few simple steps. Have a good pair of shears on hand and follow these simple steps.
- Cut off any dead limbs, leaves or flowers. The cut should run parallel to the main section of the plants. Be sure to remove all dead areas and flowers.
- Cut sections to shape the outside of the plant. You want to achieve a nice rounded look. Keep an eye out for small new growth areas that may make the plant look woody. Cut away any shoots that appear to be growing straight up.
- Remove any growing around the stem if you are pruning tree-like plants, such as a ficus.
When purchasing new plants, always keep the directions and look up the proper pruning techniques. It is important to know how to properly care for your indoor plants to keep them healthy and happy. If you care for your house plants they will live a long life.