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## EXPIRES CACHING ##>
Regularly grooming houseplants is necessary to keep them healthy and attractive. Keep plants looking good by neatly trimming off brown tips, removing all spent flowers (deadheading), dying leaves, and any dead and yellowing plant parts. It is also critical that you remove any debris that could harbor bacteria from the soil. This will reduce the chances of pests and diseases. A pair of handheld pruners can be used to snip off dying leaves and
flowers. Use sharp scissors to trim and shape brown leaf tips to a
natural look. Keep plant pores open because they breathe through
the pores (stomata) in their leaves. Remove grease and dust off large
leaves with a soft cloth dipped in soapy water. Wash small-leaved
plants with a gentle spray of warm water and mild soap -- except those
with fuzzy or hairy leaves. These plants don't like to get their leaves
wet (use a soft brush to remove dust). Plants have a tendency to grow toward the source of light which could
cause them to become lopsided and may topple over. To avoid a distorted
plant, rotate them occasionally -- more frequently if they are fast
growers. It is good practice to give a plant a quarter turn each time
you water it. Pinching is done by using the fingernails of the thumb and forefinger to
remove about a half inch of the growing stem tips. Pinch buds to
promote compact, bushy plants and produce more buds to yield an
abundance of flowers. This is a great way to keep plants attractive,
especially for plants like coleus that are grown for their colorful
leaves. Mulch can be organic and
lightweight Spanish moss (gray) or sheet moss (green), bark chips,
pebbles or glass rock. Mulch from coconut works great for indoors also.
Cedar mulch keeps insects out of the plants and it has a nice fragrance. Grooming houseplants by
mulching is good for reducing moisture evaporation from the soil. It
gives a clean appearance to the plant by hiding the dirt and preventing
the soil from washing out when you water. Plus, it adds a
finishing touch to give plants that “dressed-up” look when used as
decorative focal points. It is good for preventing pets from digging in
the soil and decimating your plants. Note: Be careful not to overwater when using mulch with indoor
houseplants. Use a moisture meter to thoroughly check the moisture
level, because it may be dry on top and soaking wet at the bottom.
Remember, overwatering will cause root rot and kill your plant.Grooming Houseplants Keeps Them Healthy
Grooming Houseplants for Balance
Pinch for Growth and Beauty
Mulching Indoor Houseplants