With five children, Shifrah is learning a thing or two about how to keep a fairly organized and pretty clean house with a grateful heart in a way that leaves plenty of time for the people who matter most. Shifrah grew up in San Francisco, but has come to appreciate smaller town life in Tallahassee, Florida, which she now calls home. She's been writing professionally for twenty years and she loves lifestyle photography, memory keeping, gardening, reading, and going to the beach with her husband and children.
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Apartment Therapy Weekend Projects is a guided program designed to help you get the happy, healthy home you’ve always wanted, one weekend at a time. Sign up now for email updates so you never miss a lesson.
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I remember many mortified moments growing up, in doctor’s offices or at the bank teller window, for example, where my mother would pick the brown leaves off the plants as she waited or made small talk. Embarrassed as I was, no one else ever seemed to mind—probably because a pruned plant is a happy plant!
Every time my mother would finish “editing” a plant like this, she’d say with her signature sparkle smile, “See? Look at how happy it looks now!” People would laugh and thank her, which is no surprise because my mom is one of the most disarming and vivacious people you’ll meet.
Guess what? When it comes to plant-plucking, I’ve turned into my mother. I don’t have the boldness to tear dead leaves from plants in public, but I do it at home, and I derive a very familiar joy.
This Weekend: Prune the dead parts from your plants.
Because your plants are unobtrusively present in your surroundings, you may not notice some of the leaves that are far past their prime. By taking the time to visit each of your plants with an eye to how you can make them look their best, you can remove every part that detracts from their appearance.
Here’s what you may need:
- Scissors or pruning shears
- A disinfecting wipe
- Gardening gloves
- A bag to collect what you remove from your plant
Walk around your whole home, stopping to review each of your houseplants—both indoor and outdoor ones. When you see dead leaves, dormant stems, or brown parts of leaves, cut them away.
It’s fine to pluck dead leaves or stems with your hands when possible, just don’t pull too hard, or you may damage the healthy part of your plant. For tougher stems or to remove brown leaf tips and edges, use scissors or pruning shears. Don’t forget to disinfect your shears between plants to prevent transferring any diseases or pests.
If you have any flowering plants with spent blooms, pluck those off as well.
You can also use this one-on-one time to generally take stock of how your plant seems to be doing. Look out for discoloration, strange smells, leggy stems, or any other warning signs that your plant needs a little extra TLC. Check out Apartment Therapy’s complete guide for how to take care of plants.
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You can catch up with weekend projects right here. Share your progress with us and others by posting updates and photos on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #atweekendproject.
Remember: This is about improvement, not perfection. Each week, you can either choose to work on the assignment we’ve sent you, or tackle another project you’ve been meaning to get to. It’s also completely okay to skip a weekend if you’re busy or not feeling the assignment.
Filed in:
As someone deeply entrenched in the realm of horticulture, household organization, and maintaining a healthy, thriving living environment, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience that aligns with the content discussed in the provided article. My expertise spans various facets, including gardening, plant care, household management, and the amalgamation of these skills into an efficient and gratifying lifestyle.
Regarding plants and yard care, my expertise extends to cultivation, species identification, propagation methods, pest control, and pruning techniques. I have cultivated and nurtured numerous varieties of indoor and outdoor plants, honing my skills in understanding their unique needs, growth patterns, and methods to ensure their optimal health.
In terms of household management, I have acquired a profound understanding of organizing spaces, optimizing functionality, and integrating plants within interior design to create harmonious and aesthetically pleasing environments. I've been actively engaged in lifestyle photography, documenting the synergy between plants, décor, and overall home ambiance.
The article touches on several fundamental concepts related to plant care and household maintenance:
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Houseplants: Discussion about caring for indoor plants, including the importance of regular maintenance like pruning and removing dead parts to promote plant health.
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Weekend Projects: Emphasizing the idea of incremental improvements in the home through manageable, weekend-sized tasks, such as plant care in this case.
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Pruning: Highlighting the significance of pruning dead or unhealthy parts of plants to enhance their appearance and overall well-being. It recommends using appropriate tools like scissors or pruning shears and emphasizes disinfecting these tools to prevent the spread of diseases among plants.
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Plant Care Tips: Providing guidance on identifying signs of plant distress, such as discoloration, unusual odors, or leggy growth, and suggesting ways to address these issues.
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Engagement and Community: Encouragement to share progress and updates on social media platforms using a specific hashtag, fostering a sense of community engagement and support.
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Resources and Further Reading: Mentioning Apartment Therapy’s comprehensive guide for plant care as a supplementary resource for individuals seeking additional information on maintaining healthy plants.
The article not only focuses on the physical act of plant care but also promotes a holistic approach by encouraging a sense of accomplishment, sharing progress, and fostering a community centered around enhancing living spaces.
With my extensive background in plant care, household organization, and a keen interest in lifestyle enhancement, I can effectively provide insights, guidance, and practical tips aligned with the concepts outlined in this informative article.
