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How To Trim Philodendron For 3 Different Reasons With 5 Trimming Tips

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Philodendrons are huge tropical home plants that can grow to be quite lovely. You may need to cut part of the vines to keep your plant from taking over your home.

Philodendrons come in a wide range of colors and sizes, with some growing up to 20 feet long vines. You can trim your plant to keep it in the form and size you want it to be.

In most circumstances, philodendrons don’t require much pruning; nevertheless, you may need to remove a few dead leaves or prune your plant if it has been damaged by the sun.

If grown outside, long vines can be encouraged to climb up moss support or a fence. If you have a huge, unruly-looking philodendron, pruning it may be beneficial. Let’s have a look at how to trim Philodendron to make it look more tropical.

Although philodendron plants don’t require much pruning, cutting them back every now and then keeps them looking tropical and prevents them from growing too huge for their surroundings.

Wait if you’re not sure if your plant needs pruning. Pruning a philodendron isn’t necessary unless it’s absolutely necessary, and a proper pruning procedure should never distract from the plant’s overall look. To put it another way, your work should be unnoticeable.

How To Trim Philodendron
Should I prune this philodendron brasil? via Reddit

Cutting back philodendron plants is good if they take up too much space in the room or appear tall and lanky. Pruning like this is best done in the spring or fall.

To remove fading leaves and trim spindly growth, you can safely give your Philodendron a modest trim at any time of year.

Things You’ll Need

  • Sharp Knife
  • Pruning Shears
  • Scissors

A Guide on How To Trim Philodendron

Here are three alternative ways to trim your Philodendron, depending on why you wish to do so.

Cutting The Yellow/Old Leaves And Stems

Cutting back leaves and stems that have turned yellow due to age or damage is something you’ll need to do regularly. To remove the leaves, use a sharp knife or pruning shears.

  • Pull the injured stem away from the remainder of the plant with a gentle tug.
  • Cut the chosen stem at the base, where it meets the plant’s trunk, after ensuring you won’t injure healthy stems or leaves.
  • You may observe that parts of the leaves have turned yellow in certain circumstances, so you won’t need to remove the entire stem. Above the joint, cut the leaf.
  • When you’re through, don’t forget to water your plant to relieve its stress during the pruning process.

Trim Philodendron To Enable It To Fit Its Surroundings

  • Another reason people feel compelled to prune their Philodendron plants is that they have outgrown their space.
  • Aim for the oldest and longest stems, as they will most likely turn yellow soon.
  • Cut the stems to the point where they link to the main plant once you’ve identified them.
  • The oldest stems have a tendency to sink into the ground. Cut them at the soil line in this scenario.
  • After you’ve pruned your plant, please give it a good amount of water.

Trim Your Philodendron For Propagation

  • Choose long, robust stems to propagate your plant. At least three big leaves should be present on the stem.
  • Just above a good leaf, cut the stems. You might also try cutting it back at the joint.
  • The length of your final propagating stem should be between 3 and 6 inches.
  • Water your primary plant as soon as you cut the propagation stem.
  • Fill a pot with potting soil and plant the stem 8 inches deep.
  • Water the soil until it is completely saturated.
  • Place the pot in direct sunshine and ensure the dirt is kept moist. After two weeks, new leaves will develop.

Tips on How To Trim Philodendron

Trim During The Growing Season

  • You can prune your philodendron plant at any time of year, but it’s ideal to do so during the growing season.
  • If required, softly trim your plant in the fall or winter to remove dead, damaged, or yellowing leaves.
  • Please wait until the spring to prune your plant to make it smaller or improve its beauty.

Sterilize Your Tools

  • Before you begin pruning, make sure you have a clean set of scissors or a sharp knife on hand.
  • By washing your pruning tools and then pouring hot water over the blades, you may sterilize them.
  • Make a bleach and water solution to dip your tools in instead.
  • It’s critical to sterilize your tools to avoid the spread of disease or bacteria.
  • If you’re using bleach to sterilize your instruments, make sure you rinse them thoroughly before using them to avoid harming the plant.
  • Bleach can cause metal things to rust, so thoroughly wash and dry your tools before and after use.
  • Another way to sterilize your tools is to swab them with rubbing alcohol. This is really effective and will not corrode them.

Start Trimming The Longest Vines

  • Start by chopping off the longest vines on your Philodendron.
  • You can also search for aged stems that are leggy, yellowing or have dead leaves.
  • Remove any stems that are past their prime and have no leaves.
  • Cutting the vines off where they meet the plant’s main stem will help.
  • Cut off vines that appear to be growing out of the ground at the soil level.
How To Trim Philodendron 2
“Can I trim the aerial roots on my philodendron?” via Reddit

 For A Quick Trim Pinch Off The Leaves

  • Pinch the leaves off the vines as well as the vine tips if you want to give your Philodendron a short pruning.
  • This eliminates dead leaves and provides a rapid clean-up for your plant without the need to sterilize any utensils.
  • Pruning your plant in this manner regularly can encourage new growth and make it bushier.

Cut Above the Nodes of the Leaves

  • When cutting or pinching vines from your plant, always cut slightly above the leaf’s node.
  • This is where fresh foliage will emerge on a stalk.
  • If you don’t cut in the appropriate area, you’ll wind up with a plant with unattractive stubs.

Final Remarks

Philodendron plants are excellent houseplants since they grow quickly and thrive in warm, sunny conditions. When it comes to pruning Philodendron plants, however, there are many reasons why plant owners reach for the pruning shears.

Pruning isn’t necessary for most philodendrons. You can, however, prune your Philodendron to keep its size and look. To assist tidy up the plant, pinch off any dead leaves or stems with your fingers.

To avoid spreading bacteria, it’s critical to sanitize your knife before using tools or cutting utensils. This is especially crucial if any of your houseplants have been infected with a fungus or bacteria, as you don’t want to transfer the infection to other plants.

After reading this article, I hope you’ll have a clear idea of how to trim Philodendron. Pruning your Philodendron will not only give it a fresh look, but will also help you get the most out of it, whether it’s for propagation, growth promotion, maintenance, or size control.

Enjoy the attractive look of your freshly pruned or propagated Philodendron plants by following the advice as mentioned earlier and instructions for pruning methods and schedules.