Why You Should Be Dusting Your Houseplants

Vacuuming, mopping the floor, and cleaning the bathroom are likely part of your regular cleaning routine. Dusting shelves, dressers, nightstands, and coffee tables is necessary too, especially when you can easily notice the dust accumulating. If you own a houseplant or have an expanding collection and they are healthy, you may only be considering their watering needs. Next time you give them a drink, pay attention to their leaves and see if there is a fine or thick layer of dust. Dusting your houseplants is good for your health as well as for your plants.

Why You Should Dust Your Indoor Plants

Ensuring your houseplants are clean and dust-free will impact how well they grow. "Dusting indoor plants is crucial since it can assist to improve their general health and stop the development of pests like aphids and mites," says Virginia Hayes, Indoor Plant Pro and retail showroom manager at Westerlay Orchids. Pests can hide in the dust or make it difficult for you to see them, that is until they are all over your plant. 

Aside from providing their basic needs – water, sunlight, and soil – Justin Hancock, Costa Farms Horticulturist, based in Florida, says, "Regularly dusting your plants is the number one thing you can do that practically guarantees they’ll grow better because inside most plants want as much light as they can get." Dust hinders the amount of light the leaves receive. "Any layer of dust that accumulates over the surface of the leaf acts like a filter, reducing the amount of light available to the leaves," says Hancock. "Dusting your plants means they’ll have more photosynthetic activity and more fuel to grow."

Wondering how much dust is too much to affect your houseplant? Hancock says a thick layer of dust on the leaves is, "the kind you can write your name in." According to Hayes, "Over time, dust can start to clog the small pores on plant leaves they use to breathe, reducing overall growth and performance."

How Frequently Should You Dust Your Houseplants?

Figuring out how often to dust depends on where you live and how dusty it is. "Some houses are dustier than others. I used to live on a farm in Oregon and within a month, I’d notice a new layer of dust starting to accumulate on my plants (and furniture)," says Hancock. "But here in my home in Miami, it takes about three months to build up a similar dust layer." So pay attention to your plants and see how quickly or slowly dust accumulates and clean accordingly.  "I’d advise dusting as it builds up enough for you to notice—either on a plant leaf or on another surface," he says. 

How Should You Clean Your Houseplants?

• For most houseplants and orchids: Wiping your houseplants' foliage is simple for most indoor plant varieties. "A soft cloth is all you really need for most plants," says Hancock. "Personally, I like to wet the cloth when I dust my plant leaves [because] I feel it does a better job and is more likely to help dislodge any pests that may be hanging out on my plant leaves." If you have an orchid, the cleaning technique is the same—using a soft cloth. According to Hayes, "To keep the leaves looking glossy and to eliminate any accumulated dust, you can mist them with a spray bottle of water or wipe them down with a damp cloth."
• For plants with fuzzy leaves: Leaves that are fuzzy, such as African violets, Purple Passion Plants, and some types of Begonia, Hancock says may require another technique. "A can of compressed air can be a super effective way of getting dust out from between the plant hairs (or a soft paintbrush can also do the trick)," he says.
• For intricate foliage or plants with numerous leaves: Dusting can become a time-consuming endeavor for these types of plants. Hancock shares his method for cleaning these plants in a more timely manner: "For plants with finely divided leaves, or lots of small leaves, where cleaning them individually can be unwieldy, I’ll wrap the pot in a plastic bag and take the plant to my sink or shower to wash off the dust." He advises that the water temperature is lukewarm or room temperature as hot water can damage sensitive leaves.