Photo: Leaf shine — David J. Stang · CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo cropped from the original.
Leaves
Leaf shine
MYTH
Leaf shine makes leaves prettier and healthier.
FACT
Shine leaves a film on the leaf. Used often, it clogs the pores the leaf breathes through, and the sticky layer catches dust.
What actually matters
- Wipe with a damp clothDampen a soft cloth with water and wipe each leaf on top and underneath. Under the dust, most leaves have a shine of their own.
- Or a lukewarm showerStand the plant in the bath or sink and rinse the leaves gently with lukewarm water from the shower head.
- Skip the soapPlain water is enough. Soap and dish detergent can damage the waxy layer on the leaf, so it loses color and turns brown.
- Fuzzy leaves: use a brushDon't wet hairy leaves or use leaf shine on them – whisk the dust off with a soft brush. African violets are one example.
- Cacti: a brush tooBrush dust off cacti with a soft brush. Smooth succulents can be wiped with a damp cloth.
Sources: Iowa State Extension, Penn State Extension, Clemson Extension, WSU Extension, RHS.