How to Clean Houseplant Leaves
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While the basic care of plants involves giving them enough light, watering appropriately, and fertilizing them from time to time, cleaning their leaves is not something all home gardeners consider necessary. This is because it isn't always an essential part of their care routine. However, indoor plant leaves can accumulate dirt, making us wonder whether they need cleaning. Since plants rely on sunlight for photosynthesis, a significant layer of dirt can hinder this process. Although a thin film of dust might not pose a problem, we should clean them for aesthetic reasons.
Since external elements generally do a sufficient job of keeping outdoor plant leaves clean, this task is usually reserved for indoor plants. At oneHOWTO, we show you how to clean houseplant leaves to shine them naturally.
Clean houseplant leaves with water
Understanding how to clean plant leaves begins with recognizing that different sizes of leaves require varying care methods. To clean houseplant leaves with water:
- Large-leaved plants: to care for large-leaved plants, clean their leaves individually using a water-soaked microfiber cloth. Avoid rubbing too hard to prevent any damage.
- Small-leaved plants: when dealing with very small leaves, it's unnecessary to clean them one by one. The best method is to lightly spray water over them with a vaporizer and shake them gently.
- Velvety-leaf plants: use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub them, as regular cloths may not effectively clean them. Wet the brush with a small amount of water to assist in cleaning.
- Flowering plants: flowers are delicate; simply remove them when they dry out to prevent them from falling to the ground.
- Thorny plants: in these cases, it's best to use a brush over the thorns without water to avoid injury.
If you are aiming to clean your houseplant leaves, remember to consider different factors. For example, some plants might not need a lot of light, a topic we cover in our article on indoor plants for low light. Additionally, regularly dusting your plants can enhance their overall health and growth.
Clean plant leaves with beer
While water is often sufficient, you can enhance the leaves' shine using various homemade products. One popular method is using beer.
How to clean houseplant leaves with beer
Dip a sponge in beer, drain well, and gently wipe it over the leaves. Some believe that barley is beneficial to plants, providing them with vigor. Although we can't confirm this, we can assure you that beer will give the plant leaves a natural shine. Be cautious not to use too much, as it could attract insects to the plant. Additionally, always test a small area first to ensure the plant responds well to this method.
Clean plant leaves with vinegar
Vinegar is excellent for cleaning plant leaves. It's an economical and ecological product used to restore shine to nearly everything, including your indoor plants' leaves. To use it, mix water with a little vinegar in a vaporizer, creating a spray to shine the plant leaves. Apply it according to the leaf type as described earlier.
Vinegar serves as a versatile cleaner for many household items. Discover more ways to use it in this related article on the household uses for vinegar. Furthermore, vinegar's acidity can act as a mild deterrent for some plant pests, providing an added benefit.
Clean plants leaves with milk
Another option for cleaning your plants is using milk diluted in water. The ideal ratio is one part milk to ten parts water. Dip a cloth in this solution and gently rub the leaves according to the guide above. Besides giving them shine, whole milk acts as an excellent fungicide, helping prevent fungus on your plants. In doing so, it can aid in preventing the top of your soil from turning white. Additionally, milk's proteins and vitamins can provide a slight nutritional boost to your plants.
Naturally restore leaf color
Cleaning the leaves of houseplants is just one method to enhance their shine. Ensuring the plant's health is equally important. To do so, provide them with a boost of invigoration naturally using some home remedies. These can be added directly to the soil of each indoor plant.
Coffee grounds
Used coffee grounds serve as an excellent fertilizer for certain plants, especially hydrangeas, azaleas, and orchids, as they increase the soil's acidity. Mix the coffee grounds with the earth to achieve this effect. Exercise caution, as excessive acidity may cause leaves to dry out at the tips or turn yellow. Avoid using it on plants that require more alkaline soil.
Eggshell
Eggshells boost calcium levels in plants, increasing their strength. Crush a couple of eggshells and place them on the ground around your plant. There's no need to mix them into the soil. Over time, they will decompose and enrich the soil naturally.
Cold tea infusion
Brew a tea infusion as if making a cup for yourself and add it to the irrigation water. The tea's antioxidant properties will transfer to the soil, reinforcing your plant's vigor. Additionally, tea can help prevent fungal presence. Alternatively, you can directly mix the teabag contents with your plant's soil, offering a slow-release nutrient source.
Should I use commercial plant shine?
You can use a commercial brand of plant shine on your plants. However, exercise caution. Some of these leaf shine products contain chemicals harmful to plants. It's crucial to purchase a quality product with positive peer reviews. Conduct thorough research if you decide to buy commercial plant shine.
Generally, we recommend using the tips shared above to clean houseplant leaves. These natural leaf shine products lack harmful chemicals, offering a safer alternative. They are also much cheaper and more accessible. Furthermore, using natural methods aligns with sustainable practices, helping to maintain a healthier indoor environment.
If you seek more ideas to decorate your home with plants, explore our list of the best aromatic houseplants for your home.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Clean Houseplant Leaves, we recommend you visit our Gardening & plants category.
