First things first: We do not advise cleaning your indoor plants with leaf-shining treatments. There are various commercial plant shine products available, and many stores utilize them to enhance the appearance of their plants. Nevertheless, leaf shine products sometimes cause more harm than benefit.
Stomata, which are microscopic pores found in plants, are essential for many of the organisms’ processes. Stomata allow oxygen to enter through during respiration. Stomata let carbon dioxide to pass through during photosynthesis. Additionally, stomata let water vapor to flow through during transpiration. Numerous leaf shine items block these apertures with oil or wax, which restricts the critical gas exchanges that stomata are necessary to.
Even while the leaf shine product makes the promise that it is clog-free, its residue might draw in more dust and dirt, giving you a plant that is ultimately not all that shiny. You get caught in a never-ending cycle of cleaning and re-shining as the foliage gets harder to clean.
We all agree that plants are beautiful, but if you want to bring out even more of their beauty, there are safer ways to do it without endangering the health of the plants.
Clean plants’ leaves with a damp cloth.
Wet the towel (or sponge) and squeeze away the extra moisture. Place one hand softly underneath each leaf to support it while the other hand wipes down the top of the leaf while moving away from the stem. Repeat the procedure on the leaf’s underside, where common houseplant pests like to conceal themselves. Use a gentle brush if the leaves are delicate or little.
Shower your houseplants.
All plants, but especially those with numerous leaves, benefit greatly from a light, lukewarm shower. To make sure the water cleanses the undersides of the leaves, carefully run your hands through the vegetation. For ferns, orchids, and palms that enjoy dampness, this technique works well. Just be careful not to overwater your plant while you’re doing it (only water plants in containers with drainage holes) and be sure to shake off any extra water from the leaves afterward.
Clean leaves with a bit of soapy water.
Try combining water and all-natural liquid soap if water alone is insufficient. Either bathe your hands with the mixture and gently apply it to the plant, or you can carefully wipe the leaves with a soft cloth dipped in the soap and water mixture. Clean the plant’s leaves from top to bottom; doing so may assist get rid of any potential pests. When finished, thoroughly rinse the plant to remove all of the soapy liquid, then shake off any extra water.
Or opt for a mixture of vinegar and water or lemon juice and water.
Vinegar and water are also useful for removing residue accumulation on leaves. But be careful not to go overboard. Start by combining a gallon of water and one teaspoon of vinegar. After that, carefully dab the mixture onto the leaves of your plants using a delicate cloth. Bonus: The smell of vinegar works wonders to deter pests and curious animals. Lemon juice is a good substitute for vinegar. Mineral salts can be dissolved with the aid of an acid, such as lemon juice or vinegar. Lemon juice and water, in contrast to vinegar and water, won’t get rid of pests on your plants, but it will dissolve mineral buildup from hard tap water on your leaves.
Can olive oil be used to polish plant leaves?
My indoor plants currently have a sad-looking appearance, and their leaves are heavily covered with dust. This morning while I watered them, I pondered whether olive oil would be a great option to polish them and make them appear more vibrant and alive.
Olive oil can be applied to plant leaves, but only after diluting it with water. Spray it on the leaves to add shine after putting it in a spray bottle. Pure, undiluted olive oil shouldn’t be applied directly to the leaves because it can clog pores and prevent the plant from absorbing and filtering the air.
There are many other factors to take into account when deciding what to use to shine your plan; olive oil may not be the ideal option for making plant leaves glossy and healthy. Can coconut oil be used? Baby oil, what about it? Will applying olive oil to plant leaves eliminate insect infestations?
The Basics of Leaf Cleaning
Indoor plants do not receive the same benefits from rain as those in your garden, such as a natural wash and cleaning. Learn more about cleaning houseplants.
As a result, plants with numerous tiny leaves, like pothos or spider plants, require cleaning at the start and end of the growing season, and some large-leafed plants, like some species of peperomia and core philodendron, may require monthly cleaning.
Numerous guidelines advise placing the plant in the shower, but this is unwise for plants that are prone to waterlogging because too much moisture might result in stem or root rot.
Instead, it is wise to carefully put some plastic wrap over the plant’s base to protect the roots and soil, and then thoroughly mist the plant with warm water using a spray bottle.
Be aware that plants with many little leaves typically only require spraying, whereas those with larger, dust-attracting leaves will necessitate a second step.
When the plant is completely dust-free, carefully wipe off each leaf with a dampened soft cloth while constantly washing the cloth.
Why Choose Neem Oil?
The only source of neem oil is the neem plant, Azadirachta indica, and it is typically obtained by cold-pressing the neem tree’s seeds. But the neem leaf, branch, and fruit also contain the oil.
The most well-known of the five active insecticidal substances found in pure neem oil is azadirachtin.
For usage in other insecticides, azadirachtin is frequently removed from raw neem oil, creating clarified hydrophobic neem oil.
Azadirachtin is present in trace amounts in clarified neem oil, which is offered in concentrations of.5 to 3%.
Neem oil in this form is typically applied topically since it has a lower likelihood of damaging leaves or stems because of chemical burns or allergic reactions.
Numerous dangerous insects, including spider mites, can be killed using Neem oil foliar sprays without leaving behind a residue, unlike insecticidal soap.
Neem is the best treatment option for the majority of indoor plants because it is completely safe around people, pets, including cats and dogs.
Neem oil that has been clarified, pure Castile liquid soap or Dawn dish detergent to function as an emulsifier, and a gallon of water are all required to make neem oil into a leaf shine.
Four teaspoons of concentrated neem oil are added after mixing a tablespoon of your soap into the water to break up the surface. The mixture is then poured into a spray bottle.
Neem oil should be applied to a damp cloth, preferably one made of microfiber, and used to gently wipe clean the entire spinach leaf, top and bottom.
The advantages include shinier leaves, a happier and healthier plant, quick death of any pests you missed (as well as some fungal spores).
Aftercare Tips
Never place a plant’s leaves in water after exposing it to the sun, as this might cause sunburned leaves to get damaged.
Wait until the plant’s regular watering day to give it a hydrogen peroxide treatment, which can help prevent root rot while also simulating natural precipitation.
Cleaning your indoor plants regularly has many advantages for both you and the plants.
It can help you unwind and increase your plant’s general health while enabling it to remove more hazardous chemicals and carbon dioxide from the air, which will lead to improved sleep and wellness for you and your family.
Additionally, the stress-relieving effects will be enhanced if you sing or talk to your plant while giving it a bath. The CO2 you release will also help the plant thrive.
Can I polish plant leaves using vegetable oil?
When applied to plants, vegetable oil has positive effects. It is an economical method of removing pests and cleaning plant leaves at the same time.
Vegetable oil is good for plants since it can protect them from pests and, when applied to leaves, makes them seem bright and clean. When not utilized properly, it can hurt the plants. Vegetable oil has been shown to be most beneficial when misted onto plants, making this method the most efficient.
You will have a solid understanding of how to use vegetable oil on plants, as fertilizer, and to ward off pests after reading this article.
Can coconut oil be used to polish plant leaves?
A tiny drop of coconut oil applied to plant leaves lends a lovely gloss and deters some pests and diseases like mildew. A cotton rag with a few drops of coconut oil added should be gently rubbed on the leaves.
By applying this to the foliage, the leaves are prevented from absorbing an excessive amount of moisture. It also aids in the prevention of fungal illnesses and problems in plants because it is abundant in microbial and antifungal qualities.
Avoid placing plants in direct sunlight while using coconut oil on them because the oil may end up absorbing more heat from the sun and could burn the foliage.
Make Organic Pesticide
To get rid of mealybugs, mites, aphids, and caterpillars, you can make organic pesticides with coconut oil. This herbicide coats insects and closes off their pores for respiration.
What You’ll Need Is:
- Coconut oil, two cups
- organic castile soap, half a cup
- Neem oil, 1/2 tsp (optional)
- aerosol can
- full jar
Direction:
Castile soap and coconut oil are combined in the empty jar. Shake the jar with the lid on tightly until it turns white. Fill a spray bottle with the diluted solution after diluting it with a little water.
This insecticide has a three-month shelf life. On plants with delicate or thin foliage, avoid using this solution.
Weed Killer
Coconut oil can be used to get rid of weed without harming the environment or important plants. In a saucepan, combine equal portions of vegetable oil and coconut oil and warm over low heat. Additionally, you can add 15–20 drops of neem oil to the mixture to increase its potency.
Transfer the solution to a spray bottle once it has cooled. Spray it on weeds to get rid of them organically after giving it a good shake before use! You must continuously spray this for 5-7 days.
Use it for Cleaning
To remove dirt and filth, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with a bowl of coconut oil. On unclean surfaces like those in the kitchen, it works fantastically well!
Great Insect and Mosquito Repellent
In a study conducted at the Department of Agriculture, University of Nebraska in the United States, it was discovered that the medium-chain length fatty acids in coconut oil exhibited the strongest insect repellent efficacy for up to 96 hours during the hot summer.
Apply 50 cc of coconut oil evenly to the exposed portions of the body before going to a garden or any other place where there may be mosquitoes to make it more effective by mixing 4-6 drops of neem oil into it.
Provides Relief from Sunburn
Applying virgin coconut oil to the area will provide you with immediate relief if you developed a sunburn while working long hours in the garden. Additionally, it will lessen redness and swelling.
Natural Sunscreen
This study found that coconut oil has an SPF of around 8, protecting skin from the sun’s damaging UV rays.
Twenty minutes prior to stepping outside in the sun, combine equal quantities of coconut and olive oil and apply it to the exposed areas of the body until it is entirely absorbed.
Acts as a Natural Paw Cream for Pets
Concern should be expressed if an animal has dry, cracked paws. Their feet will remain flexible if coconut oil is applied to them, particularly during the winter months.
Lubricate Castor Wheels
Over time and with repeated use, debris and rust buildup can cause castor wheels to become stuck. The exceptional lubricating properties of coconut oil ensure that the wheels are protected from rust and move smoothly and freely.
After washing the wheels, add a few drops to make them move more easily!
Effective Against Dog Ticks
Dogs suffering from tick, flea, and mange mite infections receive immediate relief because to the antibacterial qualities of coconut oil. By coating their exoskeleton, these pests are also removed from dogs by applying virgin coconut oil. They become immobile and are choked by this.
Inflamed skin on cats and dogs can also be treated with coconut oil’s anti-inflammatory effects, which also improves the condition of their fur.
Apply equal parts of tea tree, neem, peppermint, and coconut oil to the affected area to increase its efficacy.
Great for Hair and Skin
Essential fats found in coconut oil give the skin a smooth texture. According to one study, virgin coconut oil (VCO) moisturises and soothes skin problems’ symptoms. By improving the function of the skin barrier, VCO’s anti-inflammatory effect reduces inflammatory indicators and protects the skin.
VCO’s anticancer, antibacterial, analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory characteristics also play a significant role in skin aging, inflammation, and carcinogenesis. Additionally, it offers efficient defense against UVB rays.
Apply a small amount (about the size of a dollop) to your palm and rub it in a circular motion over your face and other body parts until the skin has completely absorbed it. For optimal results, perform this each day just before night.
Additionally beneficial for damaged and dry hair, the oil. This study found that coconut oil, a triglyceride of lauric acid (the primary fatty acid), has a strong affinity for hair proteins and can penetrate inside the hair shaft to provide the moisture and conditioning that the hair shaft requires to stay healthy.
For optimum results, massage lukewarm virgin coconut oil into your scalp and let it sit for 30 to 40 minutes before showering.