Philodendron is a popular houseplant that comes in different varieties. It’s easy to care for and can thrive even with minimal attention. However, pruning is an essential aspect of maintaining the plant’s health and appearance.
Pruning philodendrons helps promote growth, remove damaged or diseased leaves, maintain its size, and encourage bushiness. Here are some tips on how to prune philodendrons:
Tools needed
Before starting the pruning process, it’s vital to have the necessary tools. You’ll need a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears that you’ve sanitized with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
Identify what needs pruning
The first step in pruning your philodendron is identifying which parts require trimming. Look for yellowing leaves since they indicate damage or poor health. Check also for overgrown stems that might be making the plant look leggy or stretching towards light sources.
Trim yellowing leaves
Yellowing leaves can make your philodendron look unattractive and unhealthy; hence it’s advisable to trim them immediately you spot any signs of discoloration. Use clean scissors to cut off the discolored area leaving only healthy sections behind.
Cut off dead stems
Over time, some stems may die-off due to age or insufficient light exposure; thus cutting them off will help prevent fungi growths from developing on their surface while promoting new buds’ sprouting at their base.
Pinch back new growth tips
Philodendrons grow tall if left without any intervention leading many gardeners into thinking they’re not thriving well indoors — instead of letting your plant stretch towards light sources reduce excessive height by pinching out new growth tips from stem nodes every few weeks so as not damaging overall scarring when removing older foliage during regular maintenance such as watering & misting sessions regularly throughout each season (spring through fall).
Cut back leggy plants
If your Philo has grown too tall or leggy, it’s best to cut it back by pruning some of its stems. Cut off the top sections of the plant stem (about two inches from the top) and leave a few leaves behind for photosynthesis to take place.
Encourage bushiness
To encourage your Philodendron’s growth and maintain its size, you have to prune regularly while ensuring that each cutting has at least one leaf node. This encourages new growth at leaf nodes resulting in more bushy foliage.
Conclusion
Pruning is a crucial aspect of maintaining philodendrons’ health and appearance. Regular trimming can help prevent diseases, promote new growths, remove yellowing or diseased leaves, reduce excessive height, and encourage bushiness. Follow these tips on how to prune your philodendron properly and enjoy a healthy thriving plant.
