Wipe down the mirrors: check. Vacuum the floors: check. Clean the plants? That’s right, your plants need to be cleaned regularly as they too collect dust and debris, just like the other parts of your home! Dusting off, wiping down, and showering your plants is an excellent way to improve their growth, reduce the risk of pests and disease, and monitor your plants health.

Why plants need cleaning

Plants rely on access to light to grow and survive. When there is a layer of dust, dirt, or oil on your plant’s leaves, they are not accessing as much light as they could be. Additionally, plants need to “breathe”; there are small pores on plant leaves that allow for gas and water exchange, both parts of their growing and living processes. Function aside, your plants will also look so much better when they are clean!

How to clean your plants

There are a few ways to go about cleaning your houseplants depending on what type of plant you are cleaning, how dirty they are, and how frequently you will want to clean. If you are a neat freak with a general lack of dust build up in your home, your plants may only need a quick wipe down every few weeks or so. If your house is under construction or if you live off a dirt road and keep your windows open, your plants may need a bit more attention. Similarly, different locations in your house may have different levels of dirt and grime - all normal things to consider when cleaning your plants!

Dusting

Some plants with smooth, flat leaves and minimal dirt build up will benefit from the occasional wiping down with a duster or soft rag. When dusting a plant, take care to clean both the tops and bottoms of leaves, as well as the petioles, stems, etc. This is a chance to really take a close look at your plant, checking for small spider webs that could indicate spider mites or other signs of pests.

Soap and Water

When plants are in or near a kitchen, they may inadvertently get a bit of grease or oil build up from cooking oil that is released into the air. After some time, this build up can become quite thick and sticky, making it difficult for the plant to breathe. In this case, it is a good idea to get a rag and some mild soap and water to gently scrub the plant. You will want to avoid harsh soaps and detergents as they can burn some plants’ delicate leaves. When using water to clean your plants, try to stick to room temperature or slightly warm water, as cold and hot water can damage plant leaves.

Showering

One of our favorite things to do when the weather warms up in the spring is to take our plants outdoors and shower them down with the hose. After a long winter, this is a great way to rinse off all the dirt and grime that has accumulated through the many days of closed windows. If you do not have access to an outdoor space or hose, you can do this in your very own shower or bathtub. Showering works best for plants that are okay with a goad soaking, however, as cacti, succulents, and other water-sensitive plants may not appreciate it as much.

Cacti, Succulents, and Fuzzy Plants

Because of their sensitivity to overwatering and difficult surfaces, you might have to get a little creative when it comes to cleaning cacti, succulents, and fuzzy plants like the Panda Plant. Small bottle brushes, Q-Tips, and toothbrushes can all be used to get into those hard to reach spots without damaging the plant’s sensitive hairs and spines. You can even use compressed air, though you will want to keep the canister about 10 inches away and avoid holding the lever too long as compressed air can become quite cold.

There are many products in the market today that are sold as leaf cleaners, leaf shine, etc. In general, many of these products are not needed. Unless your plant is experiencing a pest or issue and in need of an insecticidal soap, you really can just stick to household items and regular cleaning practices. While many greenhouses use leaf shine to improve the luster of their plants, it is not necessary to keep your plants happy and healthy. In fact, you can improve the shininess of your plants using products found in your home! Commercial cleaners and products can tend to accumulate on plants, blocking up those ever important pores and eventually making it more difficult for the plant to live.

Cleaning your plants does not have to be an overwhelming task. By adding regular cleaning into your usual routine, you can prevent dust build up, pest and diseases, and make your plants look overall more healthy! If cleaning your plants is something you regularly do, what is your favorite method? Let us know at https://www.facebook.com/WildInteriors/ and https://www.instagram.com/wild_interiors/ !

How (and why) to Clean Houseplants