Cleaning houseplant leaves

Step by step

1. Step 1

   Check every part of the plant for dust and pests before you clean it

   Look under the leaves, along the stems, and under fronds, and use a magnifying glass or jeweler's loop to spot smaller pests. Dust that collects on leaves can slow down photosynthesis. While you are at it, remove any dead, yellow, or leggy growth with sanitized snips.

2. Step 2

   Choose your cleaning method based on whether the plant's leaves are hairy or smooth

   Hairy-leaved plants should not be dusted with a wet cloth; use a soft cosmetic brush on them instead. For leaves that are not hairy, the best method is to dampen a soft cloth with water.

3. Step 3

   Wipe both the lower and upper surfaces of each leaf

   Use a damp microfiber cloth on the upper side of the leaves for the best result.

4. Step 4

   Wipe large-leaved plants, such as rubber trees and monstera, with a gentle swipe of a damp cloth

   Plain water and a soft cloth are all you need for this. A damp cloth wash also cuts down on the dust and grime that can lower a plant's health.

5. Step 5

   Rinse smaller or sturdier plants in the sink or shower with lukewarm, unsoftened water

   Keep the water at room temperature or lukewarm for every rinse.

6. Step 6

   Move bigger plants outdoors or into the shower to rinse them off completely

   You can also hose large plants down gently, or wipe the upper and lower leaf surfaces with a soft, wet cloth. A tepid shower works well too for rinsing large plants.

7. Step 7

   Wash ferns with a gentle spray of lukewarm water from the sink

   You can also swish ferns upside-down in a sink or laundry tub of lukewarm water, with a few drops of mild dish soap added. A pressure sprayer can also be used for rinsing.

8. Step 8

   Use a dry artist's paint brush or a soft cloth to gently remove debris from hairy-leaved plants such as African violets

   Avoid getting water on African violet leaves, since this can cause leaf spots. If cold water touches the relatively warm leaves, it will cause yellowish spots or streaks on the upper leaf surface.

9. Step 9

   Clean the wide leaves of a peace lily (Spathiphyllum) regularly with a damp cloth to remove dust and help its appearance

   This also helps remove some pests that tend to gather under the bottom of the leaves. Spathiphyllum tends to accumulate dust on its leaves, so wipe them with a damp cloth to remove the dust and any occasional pest. An occasional light spray of leaf polish is recommended for this plant specifically, to cut down on dust buildup.

10. Step 10

    Wipe calathea leaves gently with a clean, damp cloth at regular intervals

    Clean leaves favor healthy growth.

11. Step 11

    Dust palm fronds with a damp cloth instead of using leaf-shining products, which will damage the foliage

    A wipe with a damp cloth or a gentle spray of water also helps remove spider mites or mealybugs from the fronds.

12. Step 12

    Dust snake plant leaves occasionally to keep them clean

    A soft, damp cloth works just fine for wiping the dust from the leaves.

13. Step 13

    Mist Anthurium leaves with water to dislodge dust and temporarily raise the relative humidity around the plant

    Wipe again with a dry cloth if excessive water droplets or trails are left on the leaves.

14. Step 14

    Wipe leaves with a damp microfiber cloth to remove the dust and debris that built up over fall and winter

    You can also lightly dust and clean the foliage with a damp paper towel.

15. Step 15

    Rinse plants thoroughly with water, including the undersides of the leaves

    Handpick any visible pests as you go, and rinse both the upper and lower leaf surfaces with warm water.

16. Step 16

    Prune off infested stems and leaves if pests appear, to slow their spread

    Switch to a fresh cloth or paper towel if you see insects or disease, so you do not carry the problem to your other plants.

17. Step 17

    Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to wipe off insects such as aphids and mealybugs

    This also works well for removing pests from difficult-to-reach areas of the plant. Scale insects may need to be scraped off with a fingernail instead.

18. Step 18

    Treat any remaining pests with an organic-based pesticide made for indoor use

    Insecticidal soaps are contact insecticides, so they only work when they touch the insect directly.

19. Step 19

    Test the insecticidal soap on a leaf or two before you spray the whole plant

    Spray a small area and wait 24 hours to check for sensitivity before you treat the rest of the plant.

20. Step 20

    Avoid spraying insecticidal soap in full sun or at temperatures above 90°F (32°C), since this can damage the plant

    Treat plants with insecticidal soap in the early morning or late in the day instead. Skip the treatment if the plant is already under water stress.

21. Step 21

    Watch for leaf damage building up if you need to repeat insecticidal soap applications

    Rinse the plant with a clean spray of water if you see wilting or browning leaf edges within a few hours of treatment.

22. Step 22

    Skip leaf-shine or polish products when you clean, since leaf shine is generally not recommended and can clog the leaf's pores

    The waxy coating these products leave behind may also interfere with how the leaf exchanges air. Avoid leaf-shine products and milk altogether on hairy-leaved plants such as African violets.

23. Step 23

    Move plants closer to the windows as the sun gets higher in spring

    Watch for sun scorch if a plant was kept in low light over winter. Wait until active growth begins before you start a spring and summer fertilization schedule.