Pinching and pruning houseplants promotes healthy growth

Many gardeners  hesitate to pinch or prune their houseplants for fear they will do something wrong or that it will stop the growth of their houseplants.  In reality, pinching and pruning is one of the best things you can do for  your houseplants. Here's why.

• Pinching out the center growing tips of your plants forces new growth from the leaf nodes along the stem.along the stem. This causes you plants to form dense, compact foliage.
• Pruning away dead or dying foliage improves the appearance of your plant. It also channels energy into new growth, producing a healthier plant.

Deciding when to pinch or prune you plants really isn't that difficult. Houseplants that becomes leggy or produce vines with long stretches between the leaves need pinching or pruning. (And more light, if you can provide it.) Typically, if the plant has become unsightly cutting it back to within 2 to 3 inches of the soil is often the best solution.


I often find this necessary with my begonia and impatiens if  I overwinter them inside. New growth begins almost immediately if you provide them with bright, indirect light. Within a few weeks, these plants produce a flush of new foliage that you can display with pride.


Due to the lack of light, and the low intensity of what light we have in the winter many houseplants suffer from lack of adequate light and benefit from some pinching and pruning to keep them looking good.


To prune dead leaves or weak foliage from your houseplants simply trim away the dead or weak foliage with a knife or pair of scissors. To pinch out the growing tips, gently pinch the new leaves between your thumb and fingernail to remove them. This can be repeated on all new growth in a few weeks to encourage new growth and create a full, healthy plant.





                                                           Until next time . . . HAPPY GARDENING!

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