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Pruning basics

Also known as Pinching, Grooming, Cutting back

Growing know-howDepends
Secateurs for clean pruning cuts Photo: KoS · Public domain

In short

Pruning shapes a plant, removes dead or damaged growth and encourages branching. Pinch soft tips to make a plant bushier, cut just above a node or bud, and remove no more than about a third at once.

How it looks

Pinching removes a small amount (the University of Maryland says 2.5 cm, 1 in, or less) of soft new growth just above a node with your fingers. A heading cut shortens a stem back to a bud and triggers dense regrowth; a thinning cut removes a whole shoot at its point of origin and keeps a natural shape. A node is the point on a stem where a leaf is or was attached.

Signs

When pruning helps: long, bare, leggy stems; a lopsided shape; yellowing, dead or damaged leaves and stems; spent flowers.

Life cycle

Removing the growing tip removes the source of auxin that suppresses side buds (apical dominance), so buds below the cut start to grow.

What favours it

Prune when the plant is growing actively so it can respond with new shoots. Leggy growth is often caused by too little light, so pruning alone will not fix it without better light.

Prevention

  • Pinch young plants regularly for bushier growth.
  • Give enough light to prevent stretched, leggy growth.
  • Turn plants now and then so they grow evenly.

Treatment

Start with the first step and move down only if the problem persists.

  1. Use sharp, clean scissors or secateurs; clean cuts heal better than tears.
  2. Cut about 6 mm (1/4 in) above a node or bud pointing in the direction you want growth.
  3. Remove dead, yellowing and diseased leaves and spent flowers; trim dry brown leaf tips neatly if desired.
  4. Take off no more than about one third of the plant at a time.
  5. Do not paint wounds; NC State Extension advises against wound dressings.
  6. Use healthy prunings as cuttings where the plant propagates that way.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Fuller, more compact plants; removes damaged or diseased parts; can reduce pest and disease problems; provides cutting material.

Cons

  • Over-pruning or pruning a stressed or resting plant can weaken it.
  • Some plants flower on growth you may cut off; check the species first.

Look-alikes

Etiolation
Leggy growth from low light; prune it back, but also improve light.

Typical uses

Most foliage plants, especially vining and soft-stemmed ones (pothos, philodendron, coleus, tradescantia), woody houseplants such as Ficus, and herbs.

Sources

  1. Grooming Indoor Plants — University of Maryland Extension
  2. General Pruning Techniques — NC State Extension

Written in our own words from these sources. Check a product label before using any treatment.