An expert is encouraging houseplant enthusiasts not to shy away from the routine that will promote the rapid and intense growth of foliage.
Richard, from the Sheffield Made Plants Academy, claims that trimming leaves every week can promote rapid growth spurts.
“You may be buying your plants and leaving them to grow on your window sill of fireplace mantel untouched,” he explained on his YouTube channel.
This error is committed by many beginner plant owners due to the common misconception that houseplants are fragile, but it can decelerate growth.
“There is one houseplant care tip that will make your plants grow faster, with thick [and] lush growth,” noted Richard. “It is something you’re probably not doing enough of because you might be thinking it will harm your plant.”
When a cutting is taken from the plant, a signal is sent to the root instructing it to send out new growth and replace the lost foliage.
“This results in a growth spurt, with the plant growing leaves at a quicker rate than before you made the cuts,” explained the expert.
To encourage new growth, gardeners should snip off the dominant buds on select stems.
“In most cases, your plant will send our two new shoots on the part of the stem where you made the cut,” explained the gardener. “I regularly cut my ficus plants to get them to branch out into multiple stems.”
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Not only will gardeners have the chance to enjoy new growth, but the plant will benefit from growing spurts as well.
“This flush of new growth results in a healthier plant because you’re essentially getting rid of old and tired foliage, and replacing with new leaf tissue.”
When the gardener recently pruned one of his plants, he was pleasantly surprised to discover the foliage grows back at twice its usual rate.
“In time, the plant will grow to be as large as it once was, but with much healthier looking leaves,” he Richard.
There is also the added benefit of using the plant cuttings for propagating, which can leave gardeners with more plants around their home for free.
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