So, I noticed my Chinese Evergreen was getting a bit out of control. It was taking over the corner of my living room, and honestly, it looked a little wild. Time for some pruning!
Getting Started
First, I gathered my tools. I didn’t need anything fancy, just:
- A pair of sharp scissors (I used my kitchen shears, don’t tell my wife!)
- A damp cloth
I made sure the scissors were clean, I am not about give this guy an infection.
The Pruning Process
I started by looking for any yellow or brown leaves. Those were the first to go. I simply snipped them off at the base of the stem, close to the soil. Easy peasy.
Next, I tackled the overgrown stems. Some of them were getting really long and leggy, so I decided to shorten them. I followed the stem down to a point where there was a healthy leaf node (that little bump where a new leaf can grow), and I made my cut just above it. I figured this way, the plant could focus its energy on growing new leaves from that node, instead of wasting it on a long, empty stem.
I kept stepping back to look at the plant from different angles. It’s like giving a haircut – you want to make sure you’re not taking off too much in one spot. I removed a few more leaves here and there, just to balance things out and give the plant a nice, even shape.
Cleaning Up
Once I was happy with the shape, I took my damp cloth and wiped down the remaining leaves. They had collected a bit of dust, and this made them look shiny and healthy again.
The Result!
And that’s it! My Chinese Evergreen looks so much better now. It’s still full and lush, but it’s not taking over the whole room anymore. Plus, I know that pruning will encourage new growth, so it’ll be even healthier in the long run. I think It looks pretty great.
Honestly, I was a little nervous about pruning at first, but it was way easier than I thought. If your Chinese Evergreen is looking a little wild, don’t be afraid to give it a trim!
