Written by Administrator | 17 July 2004

Many times when you purchase a plant, you may find that they have white spots on them. This is caused when plants are watered from overhead in the nursery. There are professional cleaners on the market, but sometimes going back to the basics is all that is needed. One of the recommended “cleaners” is a very light solution of vinegar and water to remove the “white stuff”. Over a period of time indoors, your plants will accumulate dust. The occasional use of light soapy water will keep your plants pest free and clean. We recommend a mild soap, like Ivory.  The easiest way to clean is to put your soapy water or vinegar solution in a spray bottle. Spray the plant until dripping, then wipe. Wipe from where the leaf attaches all the way to the tip, carefully wiping both the top and bottom of the leaf at the same time. Apply enough pressure to remove any dust. If you have plants in the kitchen area, watch out for grease that can accumulate on the leaves. These plants will need to be cleaned more often.  There are leaf shine products available in stores, but some can clog pores and inhibit transpiration. Many people have told us they use mayonnaise to clean their plants. This makes the plants shine, but we do not recommend it, since any type of food product on plants can promote a great place for pests to live. Periodic cleaning will help your plant live and grow longer indoors.