How to Trim Tropical Plants
Tropical plants provide a visual treat to an otherwise boring garden. Although they do have differing needs than many other plants you might have in your garden, trimming or pruning tropical plants is not that much different than any other plant. Trimming encourages the plant to provide new growth and keeps it looking healthy and balanced.
Items Needed:
- Gardening shears
- Trimmers
- Gloves
- Garbage can or large bag
Choose the time of year you want to trim your tropical foliage. This is important for the plants health. Most tropical plants prefer trimming or pruning to occur prior to the first frost. This helps to prevent any frost damage that might occur to the new growth or the vulnerable, raw ending of a just-pruned plant. Plan your trimming well ahead of the first frost.
- Trim off dead or dying leaves. Dead or dying leaves or limbs of a tropical plant should be pruned off and discarded. Trim them as close to the trunk or main plant as you can. Refrain from cutting the junction of the main limb or stalk.
- Cut the stems or limbs of the plant down to a lower “eye” or node. The node or eye of a tropical plant contains a flower bud inside of it. Remember to cut just above this node. This will encourage the plant to release the bud as soon as weather is permitting providing a compact and stunning blooming period. New growth will begin above the node.
- Cut limbs beginning on only one side of the plant. Decide what your goal is – do you want to make the plant smaller in general or do you want to fill in areas that might be sparsely populated or “leggy.” For size control, it is advisable to cut one-third of the stem growth back.
- Let the plant rest for another four to six weeks. Pruning or trimming only one side of a tropical plant is a trick that expert gardeners use to prevent undue stress on the plant, especially if you plan to do severe pruning. Severe pruning can cause a plant to go into shock and will inhibit growth. If you space your pruning out by four to six weeks it is much easier on the plant.
- Trim the rest of the plant in the same manner as step 5 four to six weeks later.