Below, our gardening experts share their best tips for how and when to prune houseplants. · many houseplants go dormant in winter; · proper pruning now sets the stage for healthier plants and better fruit and flower production later. You should prune hard in the winter before any new growth starts. Pruning houseplants before winter can be beneficial if done sparingly. · clean your pruning shears with 70% rubbing alcohol. Pruning plays an important part in the overall health of many houseplants. · with all of these factors at top of mind, pruning is one area of houseplant care that is sometimes overlooked—but it shouldnt be. When your plant comes out of dormancy, it will devote all of its energy towards producing new, healthy growth as the temperatures rise. · pruning perennials at the right time encourages plants to leaf out, grow bushier, develop sturdier stems, and potentially produce more flowers. Remove any dying leaves, plant matter, and dead flowers from houseplants that have blossomed already. To remove overgrowth or encourage more growth, snip above the node on a branch or stem, cutting away up to 25% of your stems, vines, or branches. But when is the right time to prune perennials, and will plants suffer if you don’t cut them back before winter ? When pruning , first prune out dead and diseased branches, especially those caused by the winter ’s snow and ice. Caring for houseplants involves similar tasks to caring for outdoor plants, including pruning. · never prune too early in the winter , as incisions can dry out if the temperature drops well below freezing. Done right, it’s one of the most rewarding winter tasks for minnesota gardeners. Pruning can interfere with the growth cycle.
