If you’re wondering how to clean houseplant leaves, first consider the variety of leaves and how dusty they are. They may be some of the best indoor plants you can grow, but houseplants are real dust collectors. Unsightly dust and dirt easily collect on papers, taking the shine off your collection. But different plants require different cleaning methods to get the best results.
Cleaning houseplants is good for them because they are unable to photosynthesise properly if their leaves have accumulated dust which reduces their ability to absorb sunlight. Therefore, for the health and well-being of your plants, as well as their appearance, regular washing and cleaning is a good idea.
Keep in mind that if you keep your windows open on a regular basis, or have ceiling fans or pets in the house, you may need to clean your plants more often.
“In the winter especially, wiping the leaves of your houseplants clean will really help them make the most of lower light levels,” says Ruth Hayes, a gardening expert and former magazine editor. Amateur gardening.
It’s a good idea to schedule a cleaning session once a month so your houseplant collection always looks its best. You can add this to your weekly watering and tidying session but it’s easy to forget, so why not make a calendar note to remind you.
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What you’ll need to clean your houseplant leaves
It’s not really a question of whether you should clean your houseplants (as we certainly think you should), but more a question of how you do it for the best results.
If you have a large collection of houseplants of different varieties, shapes and sizes, it’s a good idea to get your plant care kit together to handle all the eventualities.
Being covered in a layer of dust means your plants won’t look their best but surprisingly this is one of the biggest indoor plant mistakes we make. Here are some suggestions for the basics you should include.
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How to clean houseplants with smooth, shiny leaves
Plants with a smooth, shiny surface such as rubber plants, monstera plants and fig leaves are easy to keep clean. All you have to do is wipe the leaves occasionally with a damp microfiber cloth or damp, non-scratch sponge. Support the sheets while wiping so they don’t break.
“If your houseplants have thrips or other common houseplant pests, try diluting a drop of unscented organic soap with water and adding it to a cloth. Instead, gently mist the plant with the solution before you start cleaning,” says Holly Crossley. , houseplant expert and senior content editor at Houses and gardens. “This will help keep bugs at bay.”
If you want to add real luster to leafy houseplants like these, apply your leaf shine mixture after wiping dust from the leaves. A mixture of half milk and half water with cotton wool balls also works. Make sure to squeeze the cotton wool ball first so the solution doesn’t drip.
If you have a large houseplant and don’t want to move it, try getting to those hard-to-reach places with a feather duster instead.
Holly Crossley
Over the years, Holly has been a groundskeeper, professional gardener, and botanical illustrator. After I worked for Gardeningetc.com For two years, Holly has now been writing about plants and outdoor living Houses and gardens.
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How to clean houseplants with feathery foliage
Plants such as maidenhair fern, Boston fern and asparagus fern have delicate foliage that is best brushed with a soft, clean paint brush to loosen any dust or dirt. Use a gentle swishing motion to dislodge dust. If the debris does not dislodge, try dipping a paintbrush in lukewarm water and gently brushing the leaves until the leaves are clean.
The smaller and more delicate the plant, the smaller and softer the brush you should use. Once you’ve finished cleaning them, treat your plants with a light mist of water from the sprayer, which will also help increase the humidity around them.
Leafy plants such as the Kentia palm can be cleaned by draping a soft, damp cloth over a sheet of paper and then gently running it along the length of the leaf from stem to tip.
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How to Clean Aloe Vera and Succulent Plants
The prickly cactus is tricky when it comes to how to clean it as you have to be extra careful around its prickly stems. Don’t be tempted to use water. Instead, use a clean, dry paintbrush to sweep between the nails and pick up any dust or dirt particles. For smaller cactus plants, try using a Q-tip in the same way or a clean paintbrush with a fine tip.
For indoor succulents, run a clean, dry, soft cloth over each individual leaf from stem to tip. They should shine nicely if you do this. Avoid spraying water from above or spraying it with water.
The good news is that both cacti and succulents are some of the best low-maintenance indoor plants you can grow, so other than that quick clean-up task, there’s not much else you’ll need to do.
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Clean the leaves of houseplants in a bucket of water
This is a good idea for small plants in your indoor garden. Fill a bucket with lukewarm water. Hold the base of the plant firmly at soil level, then turn it upside down. Dip it in the bucket of water, then gently move the leaves around.
You can also use plastic wrap around the base of the plant and pot to contain the soil and prevent it from falling while you do this. Let the plants dry well before putting them back in place.
If you are cleaning kitchen plants using this method, it may be helpful to add a little mild dish soap to the water to help thoroughly clean the leaves and remove built-up dirt from cooking.
common questions
Can I clean houseplant leaves while showering?
If you have a large collection of plants, it may be easier to move them all to the bathroom or bathtub to clean them in one place, especially if they live in your bathroom, or if some of the plants are very large or contain a lot of small-leaved plants such as spider plants that Difficult to clean individually.
Lukewarm water is always best. Support the leaves with your free hand while spraying. Allow your plants to dry completely before returning them to their original locations.
Can you use baby wipes to clean houseplant leaves?
It may seem like a quick fix, but baby wipes often contain chemicals and alcohol that can damage your plant’s delicate leaves, so it’s best not to do this if in doubt. If you like it, check the label to make sure it is unscented and chemical-free.
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You may want to add it to your fall cleaning tasks, but cleaning up houseplants doesn’t have to be a chore. With the right kit and natural cleaning methods available, it won’t take long to keep your houseplant foliage looking shiny and healthy.
